I began playing the saxophone in my gap year, little knowing it was to become such a large part of my life. My first teacher was Tony Whennell to whom I owe a great deal of thanks. He was a superb teacher, a wonderful musician and had a lovely sense of humour.
Less than two years later I was studying jazz at Chichester College under the tutelage of Geoff Simpkins, who introduced me to the music of Lester Young. A fire was kindled which still burns as brightly as the very first day.
A few more years in the woodshed, and no doubt with reed manufacturers enjoying large Christmas bonuses on my account, and I was awarded a Scholarship to study on the prestigious Guildhall School of Music Jazz Mmus course.
I studied harmony with the marvellous Peter Churchill, opening the Pandora's Box of chord movement possibilities in the Great American Songbook, and finished the course with a recital tipping my hat to Stan Getz's recording with the Oscar Peterson Trio.
Keen to follow the sound of the Californian sunshine and crashing ocean waves, and by that I mean "Cool" or "West Coast" Jazz of the 50's, I continued my studies with American saxophonist Greg Fishman, who is a master of many styles, and an ardent follower of Stan Getz.
Some highlights of my career involve being part of the Antinea Foundation's Ocean Experience in 2005, with performances at Geneva's Ella Fitzgerald Stage, being awarded the Spike Robinson Jazz Award in 2010, performing at Pizza Express in Dean Street with Steve Waterman, and at Ronnie Scott's with the Peter Borthwick Band.
My passion remains the swinging Standards of yesteryear, the composers and the players who have formed alchemical gold from their chord progressions and melodies. In skilled hands they are a deep well from which the experience of being can be re-told time and again as a much needed guide for those who have ears to hear.
C.S. Lewis' final thought from Mere Christianity is one I hold dear and hope to draw upon each time I pick up my horn..."Even in art and literature, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."
Less than two years later I was studying jazz at Chichester College under the tutelage of Geoff Simpkins, who introduced me to the music of Lester Young. A fire was kindled which still burns as brightly as the very first day.
A few more years in the woodshed, and no doubt with reed manufacturers enjoying large Christmas bonuses on my account, and I was awarded a Scholarship to study on the prestigious Guildhall School of Music Jazz Mmus course.
I studied harmony with the marvellous Peter Churchill, opening the Pandora's Box of chord movement possibilities in the Great American Songbook, and finished the course with a recital tipping my hat to Stan Getz's recording with the Oscar Peterson Trio.
Keen to follow the sound of the Californian sunshine and crashing ocean waves, and by that I mean "Cool" or "West Coast" Jazz of the 50's, I continued my studies with American saxophonist Greg Fishman, who is a master of many styles, and an ardent follower of Stan Getz.
Some highlights of my career involve being part of the Antinea Foundation's Ocean Experience in 2005, with performances at Geneva's Ella Fitzgerald Stage, being awarded the Spike Robinson Jazz Award in 2010, performing at Pizza Express in Dean Street with Steve Waterman, and at Ronnie Scott's with the Peter Borthwick Band.
My passion remains the swinging Standards of yesteryear, the composers and the players who have formed alchemical gold from their chord progressions and melodies. In skilled hands they are a deep well from which the experience of being can be re-told time and again as a much needed guide for those who have ears to hear.
C.S. Lewis' final thought from Mere Christianity is one I hold dear and hope to draw upon each time I pick up my horn..."Even in art and literature, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it."