Bio

I have combined a career as a professional jazz musician with a career as a humanitarian aid worker for over 40 years. I have worked in numerous bands over the years including my own project ‘Just East of Jazz’ which can be heard on spotify and on links below. We have toured extensively and produced five critically acclaimed albums. Another main collaboration has been with internationally renowned pianist and composer Roland Perrin playing in Evidence and more recently the Blue Planet Orchestra. I also run a small jazz club in north Finchley where we have a house-band and invite major UK jazz heroes like John Ethridge, Jim Mullen, Dave O’Higgins, etc. The venue is called Jazz at the Elephant Inn.

I play alto and soprano saxophone as well as clarinets (Bb and Eb). I used to do a lot of teaching 25 years ago but dropped this for a while to concentrate on my own musical career.

I teach jazz improvisation on saxophone and clarinets but also can work through the jazz grades if students want qualifications.

Teaching Info

From my own journey as a jazz improviser, I recognise that we all learn and respond to jazz improvisation teaching in different ways.   Some students respond and learn better through a technical and theoretical tuition approach while others respond and progress faster by learning ‘by ear’. I try to adapt my approach with students learning as we go as to what works best for each individual. My own development has, and continues to be a combination of both.

Lessons will therefore be based on first establishing what a student wants to achieve, who they like to listen too and establishing clear and realisable goals. The methods of teaching will therefore be a combination of approaches ranging from theory of harmony, use of transcriptions and practice techniques including use of enclosures, pentatonics, outside playing, voice leading etc. We will employ a range of tools including play alongs, slowing down solos for transcriptions, interactive improvisation.

I will expect students to work at home on material covered in class.