Ollie Pinnock

Orville Pinnock, the youngest of ten children born in England to Jamaican parents, grew up with music as a constant companion.

While his strict Christian upbringing limited musical exposure, his older sister Jane’s arrival in 1976 introduced him to Radio One, broadening his musical horizons. His guitar journey began at his small Pentecostal church in West Bromwich, inspired by the pastor’s son, Wickliffe Purchase. For his eighth birthday, Jane bought him a ukulele, marking his start.

Orville’s playing dramatically accelerated around 1980–81 when Paul Reid, the new pastor’s son, gave him his old guitar, an instrument Orville’s brother still owns. This led to Orville consistently playing at West Bromwich Church with his brother Mike on bass. Despite the church’s strict prohibition on playing secularly, Orville’s desire to improve drove him to join small bands and connect with other musicians. Jeffrey Russell was particularly influential, inviting Orville to play at smaller churches, where Orville emphasized serving through music.

He later joined Imani, a band that performed regularly at “The Drum,” which was crucial for his musical growth, despite the church deeming commercial playing “sinful.” While Orville recognized the potential for earning money, his main motivation remained his love for music and ministry. He sometimes felt discouraged by his slower learning pace compared to his peers, but found motivation in the biblical story of Moses, inspiring him to utilize his inherent talent and persevere.

Orville has always aspired to create his own music. He was part of the band Urban Soul Family, releasing an EP that included the song “Friends,” a track he is proud to have his name on alongside Paul Reid, who was instrumental in his earliest musical development. He has also collaborated with artists like Samantha Jane and is releasing his own track titled “Preach.”

Now 53, Orville emphasizes that success isn’t always immediate, stressing the importance of diligence, perseverance, and faith. Currently, he is the Musical Director for “Rush,” a theatre production that tells the Windrush generation’s story through music and narration by John Simmit. He is proud to contribute to a project highlighting the black community’s positive contributions and ancestral sacrifices.

Orville advises young musicians to be patient, work hard, and have faith, trusting that opportunities will come when they are prepared. His most memorable musical experiences include the group Divine, whose live performances at “The Well,” a monthly event, were consistently captivating.