The `classic' Renaissancence lineup is most well known for their rich orchestral textures, poetic lyrics and beautiful vocals. From 1972 to 1983 their style fused elements of classical music, folk, poetry, jazz and pop.
Renaissance began in 1969, drummer Jim McCarty, pianist John Hawken guitarist/vocalist Keith Relf (who died in 1976 of electrocution), and his vocalist sister- Jane. The music mixed classical with folk and jazz. Compositions were lengthy and bold.
By late 1970 Renaissance was falling apart. Musicians came and went, Jane Reif quit as did most of the lineup and even when Annie Haslam came on the scene, the band was still in a confusing transition.
During 1972, the classic lineup of John Tout (piano/keys), Annie Haslam (vocals), Michael Dunford (guitar/songwriter), bassist Jon Camp, Terence "Terry" Sullivan (drums), came to be. Michael Dunford took over writing of the music poetess- Betty Thatcher would add lyrics to them.
After their first album Prologue, the more successful- Ashes Are Burning, released in 1973, included an orchestra and Michael Dunford on guitar as well (though his role were excluded from the album's sleeve notes).
In 1976, Renaissance played with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. A double live album of their 1975 sell-out Carnegie Hall performance was released in 1976 that featured Scheherezade, the title track of an album not even released yet.
WNEW-FM (New York) named Renaissance one of the top five artists of the year in 1975 and 1976.
1977 brought subtle changes to the band, Jon Camp started introducing shorter songs and changes to the bands sound- making it more electric. In 1978 "Northern Lights" from the Somg for all Seasons album became a top 10 hit in England.
The orchestra was absent for the 1979 album Azure d'Or, released in 1979.
In 1980, keyboardist John Tout, with the death of his sister as well as walking out in the middle of a performance after making a rare mistake- was leaving the band. When Terry Sullivan heard that his friend was `let go,' he decided to exit the group as well. Warner Brothers/Sire dropped Renaissance from their label after poor sales. The band was gone. Jon Camp joined Roy Wood's band- Helicopters. Annie Haslam and Michael Dunford formed a group called- Nevada.
In 1981 all three members of Renaissance wanted to reform the band. Camera Camera and Time-Line appeared later that year on Miles Copeland's IRS Records, during that period Betty Thatcher left the lyrics to Jon Camp. Compositions sported a rougher texture, some could have been called dance tunes. Critics destroyed the albums. IRS dropped the band in 1984.
In a surprise announcement, Jon Camp left to join Cathedral, leaving the band without his unique bass playing. American keyboard player Raphael Rudd and bassist/guitarist Mark Lampariello, USA, joined Annie and Michael as the newest version of Renaissance and toured acoustically with the occasional electronics from 1985 through 1987 until they disbanded on June 6th. In the nineties, Annie, with her Annie Haslam Band, worked at intimate venues where she can chat, laugh and interact with her fans. Fans were happy to see the mixture of new and old tunes. Annie continues to tour and work diligently for charities near to her heart.
During the 1990s all of the Renaissance albums were eventually released on the CD format in various countries. Jon Camp tried to reunite the classic lineup of the band, but musical differences prevailed.
In 1998, after an initial reunion of Michael and Annie to make a promo for a Scheherazade musical, four of the mainstream band lineup joined to make an all new 10-track album. "The chemistry was unlike anything we had experienced since the early days of the band. The music is progressive, modern, and classical at the same time; I truly believe we have captured a new direction for the future of Renaissance." John Tout shared the keyboard work Mickey Simmonds- who was credited as a band member (Camel and Fish), when John could finish the session due to prior obligations. The album, named- `Tuscany,' is a wonderful combination of classic Renaissance with Annie Haslam's recent solo work. Renaissance have signed with the UK-based label Giant Electric Pea! GEP and released `Tuscany' in September.
With Michael Dunford creating projects with a new female vocalist: Stephanie Adlington, Annie Haslam surviving cancer and developing her solo career (her album- Annie Haslam Live Under Brazilian Skies was released in January 1998 on White Dove Records and features both Renaissance classics and Annie's solo work) and Terry and Jon writing material again, the future of Renaissance may be bright someday, we can only hope... this world could use some romantic stories of wonder, love and caring.
Kissing Spell Records has released another Renaissance album featuring the Keith Relf-era lineup entitled- `Live and Direct,' and it is taken from is taken from a 1971 show at the Fillmore Auditorium. There are also some experimental and demo tracks on this disc as well.
Meanwhile Annie Haslam who has become justifiably frustrated with the corporate music business, has taken up the art of oil painting. Labeling herself as a `Dream Expressionist,' she has exhibits her work and it can be seen frequently in the art community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Her work is very colorful and fluid expresses herself and her desires quite beautifully. She recently showed and sold her artwork at nearfest 2004, signing records and CDs as well as watching John Hawken play with the Strawbs original lineup on day two.
In early 2005, Annie returned to her music by singing on the John Wetton/Geoffrey Downes album- `Icon,' and she sang and was accompanied by original E Street Band member David Sancious on an acoustic mini- tour of East Coast theaters that spring.
She is also going to appear once again at Nearfest 2005 showcasing her visual art.
After another sabbatical, a refreshed line-up was introduced to the world and captured for posterity on Turn of the Cards and Scheherazade and Other Stories Live 2011. Renaissance completed a huge tour of the world, including headlining at the last Nearfest prog After another sabbatical, a refreshed line-up was introduced to the world and captured for posterity on Turn of the Cards and Scheherazade and Other Stories Live 2011. Renaissance completed a huge tour of the world, including headlining at the last Nearfest prog festival Months later, reclusive and soft-spoken composer- Michael Dunford passed on before the release of their new album. on before the release of their new album.
In 2012 Grandine il Vento was recorded at Studio X in Ridgewood NJ, USA. All the music on the new album except for one track was composed and arranged by Dunford and featured him on acoustic guitars and backing vocals.In 2012 Grandine il Vento was recorded at Studio X in Ridgewood NJ, USA. All the music on the new album except for one track was composed and arranged by Dunford and featured him on acoustic guitars and backing vocals.
:
Sadly, Michael Dunford, musical composer and guitarist of the progressive rock band Renaissance passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. He suffered a massive Instantaneous Cerebral Hemorrhage while dining at his home in Surrey, England Monday night. He was rushed to hospital where doctors declared his condition irreversible and passed away at 11:06 pm GMT, surrounded by his family without having regained consciousness.
Michael is survived by his wife Clare, sons William (13) and Oliver (10), and sister Judy Kendall. Services will be held at Woking Crematorium at a date to be announced.
In April 2013 the most recent Renaissance album, Grandine il Vento, was released. It was dedicated on the inside sleeve to Michael Dunford. This album was reissued as Symphony of Light in April 2014 with three bonus tracks.
Renaissance performed at the Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, Virginia (a Washington, DC suburb) on April 3, 2014. There was no opening act; the band played for almost 2 1/2 hours with only a few quick breaks for monologues and a ritual exit and return before the 15-minute one-song encore. After a few discussions on bring classic line-up members- Jon Camp and Terry Sullivan, in for a tour or a reunion, nothing has been realized.
Betty Thatcher (born 16 February 1944), the band's non-performing lyricist who wrote most of the lyrics for the band (mostly for the 2nd 'classic' lineup, but starting with the original Relf-led version), died on 15 August 2011.
On 20 November 2012, Michael Dunford (born 8 July 1944) died from a cerebral hemorrhage at his home in Surrey, England.] A few weeks later, Haslam stated that the band would continue touring in the future, despite losing "her guiding light".In February 2013, it was announced that Ryche Chlanda would be the guitarist on their 2013 tour, and he has established a permanent role in the band, although not appearing on their 2015 UK and European dates.
John Tout died of lung failure on 1 May 2015 at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London. According to ultimateclassicrock.com, the band paid tribute to their former keyboardist on their Facebook page, saying: “He was an amazing musician, highly contributing to the unique sound of the band from 1970–1980.
The current line-up is not as English as the band's early period with five U.S. born members, and one English born member.
Discography:
1969: Renaissance
1971: Illusion
1972: Prologue
1973: Ashes Are Burning
1974: Turn of the Cards
1975: Scheherazade And Other Stories
1976: Live at Carnegie Hall
1977: Novella
1977: Annie in Wonderland (Annie Haslam Solo)
1978: A Song For All Seasons
1979: Azure D'Or
1981: Camera, Camera
1983: Time-Line
1985: Still Life (Annie Haslam Solo)
1989: Annie Haslam (Annie Haslam Solo)
1994: Blessing in Disguise (Annie Haslam Solo)
1995: The Other Woman (Michael Dunford)
1997: Live at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Part 1
1997: Live at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Part 2
1997: Songs From Renaissance Days
1998: Living Under Brazilian Skies (Annie Haslam Solo)
1999: BBC Sessions
2000: Day of the Dreamer
2000: The Dawn of Ananda (Annie Haslam Solo)
2000: Unplugged: Live at the Academy of Music
2000: Tuscany
2001- Live and Direct (Kissing Spell Records) (Keith and Jane Relf era)
2010- The Mystic And The Muse (Three-track EP of new songs)
2013- Grandine il Vento
2014 Symphony of Light (Grandine il Vento) with three bonus tracks.
