About Me
i have been playing music since i was about eight, starting on piano then moving onto cornet. I was taught by Mr Henry Capper, a great cornet player and ex navy musician, (now unfortunately no longer with us).
Encouraged by older brother and marine bandsman jeremy, got well into all aspects of playing.
Eventually learned jazz piano (age 18) and started jazz trumpet at kingston university.
went on the cruise ships in 1996 and after relocating to birmingham gave up on cabaret bands and decided to do my own thing.
main jazz influences: all great jazz trumpeters, both musically, artistically (or preferably both)!
venues performed in: the Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Symphony hall, Ronnie Scotts (ok hands up - it was only Birmingham!!) and others, for example i did a gig supporting 'the bravery' (with 'The Open') at The Astoria. I once played for the late Princess Diana also.
countries performed in: Germany, France, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Italy, on a cruise ship sailing round the USA, (alsaka) The Caribbean and Central America. I played for 'the five keys' who wrote the hit 'the glory of love' in 1997. I recorded 'Jungle Hip' as well others that may later appear on this site courtesy of a kind friend/ bassist Laurie Lang, in Madison-USA, where i worked with UK based vocalist Julie Dunn, performing a benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina. In 2005 i performed in the Fueuteventura jazz festival with 'The Players' which included my 'expat' friends: steve sheriff (keys) and Sammy pearce (sax) of what is now 'The Seal Club' - see friends.
When doing these i performed at many jazz and blues festivals, but can only remember some of the names - sorry, don't mean to sound smart. Some of which were Nottenden blues festival, Cognac blues festival, Cheltenham jazz festival, etc
I also got to jam with one of my favourite musicians of all: Wynton Marsalis, at the Drum, in birmingham! He is such a great guy!! This was an event put on by award winning Soweto Kinch.
i have worked on various sessions for Film, TV and radio over the years. Especially with good friend/composer Paul reeves (surbiton)
as a keyboard player i have had residencies while at Kingston university which included an appearence at 'Stringfellows' nightclub!! (comical, i know)....
as well as with my musical director/trumpeter/entrepreneur friend Brian as part of the 'Rat Pack Party' tour of 2006.
on the Christian scene i've performed with noel richards (germany - 'Love Europe' two years running, as well as hyde park - 'March for Jesus'), vocalist Vanessa Freeman performed with the band also. I performed with award winning (i think) Ron Kenoly, as well as being joined by Piano virtuoso Adlan Cruz, in a band that included Soweto Kinch's drummer troy miller.
The biggest honour i have had was two years in a row with the 'international Christian Embassy of Jerusalem' (ICEJ) orchestra, performing as part of the historic 'Feast of Tabernacles' in Isreal. (2003 - 2004). The second year of which
i played lead trumpet in John Williams 'Liberty Fanfare'. I also took part in the last Feast in 2007 on 3rd trumpet.
Artists played with: NYJO, The Open (supporting 'The Bravery'), the new ivor novello award winner Scott Matthews' album- his second (Island - san remo records), Mica Paris, Andy Abrahams - (second 'X factor' series runner up and 2008 UK Eurovision entry), Frank McComb (formerly Columbia records, Motown records & vocalist in Brandford Marsalis' 'Buckshot Le Fonque'), Ex jazz messanger Jean Toussaint, mobo winner Soweto Kinch as well as various jazz luminaries young and older!! and many, many more!!!!!
