Bob Helson

Based in Bristol, England, my musical experience is mainly in the areas of contemporary jazz and improvised music, though I have also played in rock & R & B bands. I'm currently playing in a trio with Mark Langford, piano and Paul Anstey, double bass.Among the bands I have played in; Bullit, Out Loud, Both Hands Free, Wind and Fingers, Parker's Mood, Steve Mulligan Quartet, Will Menter's Community, featuring a number of times on the Radio 3 "Jazz in Britain" programme.Recordings include; Use From The Pocket - LP by Both Hands Free;- Community - live LP featuring performances from Arnolfini, Bristol & Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels;- Noise Reduction - limited edition solo percussion tape.I have also enjoyed working with contemporary dance performers, including an acclaimed improvised percussion and dance duet performance at Arnolfini, Bristol with Dutch dancer, Beppie Blankert.Some of the nicer things that have been written about me; "was particularly brilliant, a truly original drummer of enormous rhythmic drive and staggering inventiveness" - Bristol Evening Post 19/3/76."one of the most talented jazz drummers in Europe", - "magnificent" - Ashton Court Festival programme 1987."an unobtrusive initiator, ever ready to amend and absorb" - Melody Maker 7/12/78."it was very apparent that Beppie and Bob were working very closely together, taking their music and movement cues from the work their partner was producing. ---- a sensitivity which seemed to be finely tuned" - BristolScream 1981.My CD of solo drum improvisations, "The Foul Tempered Clatterer", is available at £10 + £1 p & p. If you want a copy please mail me here.