Moments Notice - based in North west. Led by drummer Ian Bell. Ian Bell got his first kit at 16 and took lessons the the wonderful Malcolm Garrett in Wolverhampton.Whilst living in Nottingham in the early 80's played with a number of local bands, most notably cult jazz-rock-everything- fusion band "Peppermint Patti" and Spot the Zebra.Spot the Zebra was a group of independent thinking Jazz musicians, playing original compositions, co led by Peter Kirmond and Andy Moorhouse. They played in Art Centres across the east Midlands and South Yorkshire and recieved an Arts Council grant to compose, rehearse and perform a suite for a 10 piece version of the band.In the mid 80's Ian joined a Rock band, The Word Association, who won a Radio 1 Battle of the Bands contest and recorded a session for the Janice Long show on Radio 1. This band Played extensively in the South of France and Paris and recorded a single in Paris.On return to England, Ian moved back to his home town of Worcester and played with local bands on the Blues and folk scenes.Relocating to Lancashire to work as a primary teacher, Ian took steps to get back to his first musical love, jazz. He played with the bands of the sadly missed Jenny Outhwaite, Simon Purves and Simon Goulding among many others. During this time he established a reputation as a listening and musical drummer who could adapt and respond to a wide range of players and styles.He also played with two of the most creative rehearsal bands in the area; Jazz Pyramid, led by Paedar Long and The Jam Factory led by Steve Berry (Steve had been a long time hero as Loose Tubes were a guiding influence on the aforementioned Spot the Zebra!).The Jam Factory attracted a stellar list of guest soloists including Pete Churchill, Lianne Carroll, Ian Shaw, Gerard Presencer, John Pariccelli, Dalbir Singh, Tim Garland, Eddie Parker, Tim Whitehead, Mark Lockhart, Steve Buckley, Mark Bassey, Byron Wallen, Josafina Cupido, Mike Walker, Iain Dixon, and Chris Bachelor.During this time Ian played as regular drummer with local legend, altoist and flautist Harold Salisbury, and with the group Jazzology.Jazzology was a happy mix of four very individual musicians who discovered an uncommon rapport and a deep joy of playing together. Dave Lee is from a trad background and is a supremely lyrical player. the rhythm section of phenomenal bassist Simon Goulding and superb Italian guitarist Willy Fluss provided an ultra modern harmonic and rhythmic backdrop. The band played at the Southport festival and recorded a cd in Chorley.Ian also depped in the bands of Ed Kainyak and Freddie Garner and recorded with a band co led by Adrian Moorhouse and Rob Lavers; and with a version of the Simon Purves Quartet that included Jamil Sharif. At present Ian is the regular drummer with the Steve Oakes Quartet and with Gary Boyle's standards trio (Gary was another childhood hero!). Both bands feature the sublime up and coming bassist Gavin Barrass.He has also just played as part of the Buxton festival with the salsa band Jaso Fula featuring Dr Henry Brew and Dan Swana.Ian is available as a freelance drummer to dep or take the drum chair for serious musicians.Moment's Notice is a loose aggragation of Musicians that Ian can call on to fit the brief of any modern jazz or latin gig. Past and present members have included Steve Berry, Les Chisnell, John Ellis, Gary Boyle, Gavin Barras, Ed Kainyak, Adrian Moorhouse, Simon Goulding, Willy fluss, Steve Chadwick, Andre Baranak, Dave Lee, Sue Parish and Richard Wilcock