Graham was born in London, and he studied music at Kings College London and the Royal College of Music, as well as having composition lessons privately with Oliver Knussen. Alongside his classical training he has always been interested in the music of many different styles and cultures, and in particular with tango nuevo. The influence of this style of writing (and of flamenco) can now be seen in many of his recent classical pieces - with their direct and vivid communication and musical language that is both energised and evocative - as well as in works that he has written especially for tango ensembles.
Graham's music is in the repertoire of leading orchestras and ensembles in over thirty countries, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Wales, the Orchestra of Opera North, the BBC Singers, many chamber groups, and tango ensembles such as Las Sombras, Tango Volcano, and El Ultimo Tango, and he has worked as an arranger for the Belcea Quartet. His music is also frequently recorded and broadcast.
Graham's works reach into venues that are both expected and unusual, including the South Bank, the Jazzhaus in Freiburg, the Palace of Monaco, the National Portrait Gallery, the Kennedy Centre, and the Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango in Bogota.
Key works include 'Invisible Cities' (orchestra), 'Graphic of the Petenera' (choir), 'Tangos for String Quartet', 'Milonga Azure' (tango) and 'Alba' (violin and piano). Recent pieces include 'Mediterranean Counterpoint', commissioned by the tango group of the CBSO, a violin and piano sonata which was commissioned by the Leasowes Festival, and a substantial set of piano pieces that were first performed at Wigmore Hall by Mark Tanner. Graham has also been arranging his music for the BBC Concert Orchestra.
His current commissions include a new piece for Evelyn Glennie, a work for Duo Milonga to premiere at the Festival Musical D'Enghien, 'Orientale' for the London based Kinesis Quintet, and also a new piece for American violinist Piotr Szewczyk. 'Invisible Cities' will be used as the modern test piece in the 2009 Leeds Conductor's Competition.
