
Let Yourself Go to Pianorama while they play a selection of strict tempo music for dance lovers of all ages. Take to the floor as Harold Rich and Colin Campbell blend their way through forty foot-tapping tunes from Waltz time to Cha-Cha-Cha.
Pianorama Biography
Pianorama was formed by the late Norrie Paramor – a quintet made up of two pianos, rhythm guitar, bass guitar and drums, and broadcasted from BBC Pebble Mill for several years. It gained its popularity from being a regular “ingredient” on the Charlie Chester “Sunday Soapbox” programme on Radio 2. The two original pianists were Norrie Paramor and Harold Rich, both of whom also broadcasted with their own orchestras.
Harold Rich succeeded Norrie Paramor as leader of the group and Colin Campbell joined as the “other” pianist.
Harold is not only a pianist. He is an accomplished musical director, arranger, composer and conductor. He served in the Royal Navy and was pianist/arranger for the Royal Navy Barracks Dance Band, “The Blue Jackets”. During this period, in 1946, he made his first broadcast, a 15-minute solo spot.
He studied at the Royal College of Music where he won the Hopkinson Gold and Silver Medals for Piano and the Dannreuher Prize for the best performance of a Concerto.
He began his musical career as accompanist to the George Mitchell Choir and the Continental Ballet Company and then to such famous artists as the violinist, Frederick Grinke, the cellist, Florence Hooton, and singers like Cynthia Glover and Owen Brannigan.
In 1960, Harold joined the BBC Midland Light Orchestra followed by the BBC Midland Radio Orchestra, and played with the Palm Court Trio. In 1961, he formed the Harold Rich Quartet, later to be augmented and known as the Easy Six, making numerous broadcasts. He has been MD on television to Tom Jones, Vic Damone and Eartha Kitt and Musical Director to the popular television programme “Pebble Mill At One”.
In addition to Pianorama, Harold has played for the Stanley Black, Johnny Douglas, Frank Chacksfield and John Gregory Orchestras.
Pianorama has recorded five albums on the Dulcima Label.