But he's recently parked his own ambitions to create a better life for his 5 year old autistic daughter. He talks to Belinda Henley about life with Sienna and getting back to the music.
At first glance, Geoff Sewell's life looks charmed. he's happily married to Victoria University sweetheart Simone (from Thames), has two beautiful daughters, runs a multi-million-dollar international business and has a voice that makes women go weak at the knees. He's also, quite possibly, one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. But scratch the surface and you quickly learn Sewell's zest and unabashed positivism is a direct result of the difficulties life has thrown at him. The 35 year old lives by the mantra, "Life is a daring adventure or nothing".
Hawke's Bay born and raised (he was Havelock North head prefect), Sewell was working as a chartered accountant, when the tragic asthmatic death of his 22 year old sister Julie prompted a life re-evaluation. Out went the 9-to-5 balance-sheet slog and in came the determination to follow his one true dream: music.
Singing practice wasn't the favourite pastime of the former boy soprano, but a mix of passion and sheer hard work saw him accepted into the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music. And after finishing his US studies he moved to London in 1997 where he and wife Simone, gathered together a "troupe of singing waiters" - Tenors Incognito. The singers were actually young West End tenors and divas who between musical study, performance and waiting on tables while they waited for fame, were hired out to entertain at functions, parties and concerts.
The impresario business took off evolving into Incognito Artists, now multi-million-dollar performance marketing company with offices in London, Edinburgh, New York and Auckland.
Simultaneously Geoff and Simone spotted a gap in the classical crossover market. Recruiting four good-looking, classically-trained singers to partner with Geoff they formed the worlds first "pop opera" band, Amici Forever, which lead to intensive international touring and million-selling chart topping albums.
But at the height of the Amici frenzy, on November 22 2005 - Sewell has the dreaded date burned in his brain - the couples eldest daughter, Sienna, was diagnosed as autistic.
"We didn't know too much about the condition, and touring constantly with the band we didn't have much contact with other children. We took Sienna to the doctor to check some behavioural issues and poor speech development - and got the bombshell," he reveals.
Told that stability, family support and routine was all-important in helping an autistic child, in January 2006, Geoff quit Amici Forever. He surrendered all ownership rights to the hugely successful concept group to throw everything at caring for Sienna. "We heard 80 per cent of marriages break up after an autism diagnosis, we didn't want that to be us," Sewell says.
The last two years have not been easy, but the payback has been dramatic. The family has spent £180,000 on biomedical therapists, specialists and supplements. the couple, with professional help, run a gruelling 33-hours a week schedule of ABA (applied behavioural analysis) therapy with Sienna - and the results, says Sewell, have been "revelatory. We've seen benefits in so many ways. She's a completely different child. With a strict diet, culled of all wheat, dairy, and processed foods, and a regime of nutritional supplements she's happier, reading, writing, engaging and her tantrums are almost gone"
Sewell confesses he too is healthier since embarking on a complete reinvention. "Our heads are in a better place."
Throughout Sienna's treatment he kept singing - "my absolute passion" - at select Incognito gigs, for special clients including, Princes William and Harry, Cliff Richard, The Beckhams and Richard Branson. And, all the while as he watched his daughter progress he nursed a background ache to return to recording and do a solo album. "Doing the solo thing is far more conducive to family life because the kids [including 2 year-old Olivia] and Simone can travel with me and I can dictate just where I want to go," Sewell explains.
His debut solo album Believe - named for "the journey our family has been on" - was recorded at the Shine studios in the fields of Wiltshire, from which top UK producer Nick Patrick has delivered award-winning albums for artists including Tina Turner, Marvin Gaye, Russell Watson and Hayley Westenra.
Sewell spent a month recording the album, making a daily three hour commute from his West Hampstead home to the studio and back each evening, to ensure quality "Sienna time",
Choosing the songs for the album was pretty easy, he says, they are, simply, his favourites - "really personal, warm, vibrant and fun, sings that have inspired me. There are songs from Elvis, Sinatra, big operatic numbers and lots in between."
He's self-funded the album, recording the orchestra in Prague and a choir in London: "I've dropped a heck of a lot of money on the project, if I never sell one album, you know what, it's been an amazing experience. But do I want to sell millions? Absolutely."
Back in new Zealand, late in the summer, a relaxed and happy Sewell gambolled on the Campbells Bay beach with his wife and children. He revealed plans to tour here soon, to maybe buy a house and to take Sienna, who turns five tomorrow, (April 14) to Disneyland for her birthday.
He also spoke humbly of the overwhelming support the family had received from autism specialist, nutritionists and well wishers from new Zealand. "We have felt so much love and support from home. It's been a truly rewarding experience."
So much so that Sewell recorded Sienna's Song, written by Simone, on Believe and royalties from that song will go to Autism Auckland to help local families struggling with the condition.
Clearly, there's no keeping this good man down and, no matter what the adversity, Geoff Sewell is only just getting started: "When I consider the number of songs I've had to scrap for this album, " he says with a beaming smile, "there are definitely a lot more to come."
Source: View magazine, Herald on Sunday
