The Lucinda Belle Orchestra
The Lucinda Belle Orchestra is the sum of one harp, a harmonium, the melodica, some strings, horns, double bass, drums, the ukulele, a clarinet, guitar…and one quite extraordinary songwriter and front-woman. She is Lucinda and her majestic debut album ‘My Voice & 45 Strings’ was released earlier this year on Island Records. The album was recorded in various locations including Nashville – where Lucinda once studied jazz – Los Angeles, London, Stockholm and Paris; with co-writes from the likes of Graham Lyle (‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’) and Ed Harcourt.
2010 began in earnest following her performance with Robbie William at last year’s BBC Electric Proms. Subsequently Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton invited Lucinda onto her Radio One show where she was interviewed, whilst giving harp tuition to the presenters. She then went and played a session for BBC TV Breakfast News and Lucinda’s singer ‘My Voice and 45 Strings’, was C-Listed by Radio 2 (with notable plays from Radcliffe and Maconie). Shortly afterwards the LBO went to accomplish two sell out shows at Ronnie Scott’s and The Jazz Cafe. It’s all been quite a whirlwind.
Biography
Lucinda Belle’s musical life began aged six, when she was dragged kicking and screaming by her mother to classical recitals at the Royal Festival Hall. To everyone’s surprise, Belle found herself falling for the harp, in all its 45-string-glory. Lucinda quickly began playing with purpose, joining the National Children’s Orchestra and cramming her harp into the back of a Ford Fiesta for trips up and down the country. Life on the road with her harp became the catalyst for Lucinda’s adult life. She has gone on to tour and record with the likes of Pet Shop Boys, Rufus Wainwright, Annie Lennox and Missy Elliot.