Biography

Having played with various student bands including Ripper and Razorback, I have made a number of appearances on HTV and BBC Wales during assorted concerts and demonstrations. I was a founding member of Dr Maybe, a jazz funk outfit playing original material at venues across Wales and West Country including Glastonbury and the Big Weekend. We performed at London Rock Garden, Clwb Ifor Bach, and toured many Universities and Colleges. Additionally, we recorded at the BBC and HTV.

My current band focus includes three main projects. 3 Square whose "funky jazz" combines elements of jazz and hip hop for a modern sound have performed at venues across Wales and West Country including Pontypool and Brecon jazz festivals, Swansea Jazzlands, Café Jazz and the Bristol Be Bop club. Our tracks have been played on the BBC Jazz Connection radio show. The second performance outlet is a quintet which pays tribute to the music of Miles Davis. We utilize music from throughout his career including the classic be bop and swing material up to the funk and pop influenced material of the 1980′s. The third project is the Coltrane Dedication which is a collective of musicians who recognize the emotional power of the later music of John Coltrane and use those compositions as their own springboard for creating a powerful, engaging, passionate communication through improvised music.

I have also established residences at two major hotels in the capital where performances were given for Earth, Wind and Fire, Robbie Williams, Alice Cooper and Tina Turner. I have also established long running residences with a major brewery chain and a prestige hotel in Swansea.

I was employed by the Welsh Jazz Society for over 10 years. During this time, I was responsible for running our jam session which attracted both local and national players. I also booked bands to appear at the Brecon Jazz Festival, Café Jazz, St Davids Hall and Theatr Clwyd. My role included responsibility for budgetary decisions, live sound for national touring artists, promotional materials, website maintenance and band liaison. Since the demise of the Welsh Jazz Society I established Jazz Productions Wales which carried on the work and influence of the WJS.

My private teaching practice has been running for over fifteen years. My personal tuition has been received from Trevor Tompkins (Royal Academy) and Colin Woolway (Drumsense programme founder). Most recently I have studied with Allan Cox (touring professional and former Jim Blackley student), Craig Blundell and Pete Riley.