I started playing music in 1970 when I began to learn the alto saxophone aged just 11. The school had a reputation for music performance and I joined the big band in my first year, shadowing the lead alto sax player. The band was directed by the late Ken Mackintosh, a well known dance/big band leader in the UK and his son the late Andy Mackintosh (who played with Maynard Ferguson's band and many others). My first experience of performing was at Hammersmith Palais in London where the school band was appearing alongside Ken's professional band. Being the youngest player, Ken got me up to show the audience what I could do (not much more than a scale of G at the time!) and out from the wings came George Chisholm, a famous Scottish jazz trombonist who then proceeded to accompany me. I was hooked from that day on and music has featured in my life ever since. The school big band provided a great training ground for aspiring musicians, a number of whom turned professional and are still playing today as session musicians.
Studying music and music education at St Mary's University College, my main instruments were saxophones, flutes and recorders. I also dabbled with clarinet and keyboards and played with various ensembles and bands both in and out of the college. I went on to play regularly with the SJC Big Band, Shades of Swing, The Dave Palmer Five and a group of fellow music teachers called BandAge. Over the years I have put together various jazz and big band ensembles under various names when the opportunity has arisen and on many occasions to raise money for charity.
During my earlier life I was privileged to see a number of jazz and big bands play live including: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Johnny Dankworth, Chris Barber, Ted Heath and his Music, Don Lusher etc. and I was significantly influenced by Dave Brubeck and the alto saxophonist Paul Desmond.
My experience has included classroom music teaching at primary & secondary school level and peripatetic instrumental teaching. I have been a member of the Musicians Union and The Society of Recorder Players and I am a keen supporter of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. My orchestral playing has included a number of musicals and folk oratorios including: Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, Holy Boy, Hamelin PS, Noye's Fludde, Oliver, The Threepenny Opera and Cabaret.
As for my musical taste, well it is pretty universal and although jazz and big band music features heavily in my collection, I have every other musical style and genre, folk and world music, choral, orchestral, baroque, renaissance, classical, romantic and nationalist. My library of over 15,000 tracks also features popular and not so popular vocalists, instrumentalists and various ensembles.
I am passionate about encouraging opportunities for new musical talent to flourish, enabling creativity in young people and for music not just to exist but to be at the forefront of education, community and social development.
Studying music and music education at St Mary's University College, my main instruments were saxophones, flutes and recorders. I also dabbled with clarinet and keyboards and played with various ensembles and bands both in and out of the college. I went on to play regularly with the SJC Big Band, Shades of Swing, The Dave Palmer Five and a group of fellow music teachers called BandAge. Over the years I have put together various jazz and big band ensembles under various names when the opportunity has arisen and on many occasions to raise money for charity.
During my earlier life I was privileged to see a number of jazz and big bands play live including: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Johnny Dankworth, Chris Barber, Ted Heath and his Music, Don Lusher etc. and I was significantly influenced by Dave Brubeck and the alto saxophonist Paul Desmond.
My experience has included classroom music teaching at primary & secondary school level and peripatetic instrumental teaching. I have been a member of the Musicians Union and The Society of Recorder Players and I am a keen supporter of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. My orchestral playing has included a number of musicals and folk oratorios including: Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat, My Fair Lady, Holy Boy, Hamelin PS, Noye's Fludde, Oliver, The Threepenny Opera and Cabaret.
As for my musical taste, well it is pretty universal and although jazz and big band music features heavily in my collection, I have every other musical style and genre, folk and world music, choral, orchestral, baroque, renaissance, classical, romantic and nationalist. My library of over 15,000 tracks also features popular and not so popular vocalists, instrumentalists and various ensembles.
I am passionate about encouraging opportunities for new musical talent to flourish, enabling creativity in young people and for music not just to exist but to be at the forefront of education, community and social development.
