BIOGRAPHY
It all started at the age of 8, when I watched Ringo Starr in 'A Hard Day's Night'. I realised then that I wanted to be in The Beatles.
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Whilst further research proved this an unlikely happening, the dream was born....
I originally trained as a Military drummer, becoming Leader of the parade Drum Corp before picking up sticks for the drum kit in my teenage years.
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After a spell in the Brass Band world - where I learned to read drum music and charts - I began drumming for local and regional jazz and big bands, as well as theatre pit bands and symphony orchestras (my first glockenspiel experience).
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At age 20 I began my first foray into 'guitar music', co-forming my first band in Cambridge (The Wentways), whilst continuing my freelance orchestral, theatre and big band sessions. Over the years I have been privileged to work with many talented composers, singers, musicians and arrangers across a broad spectrum and all around the UK - participating in one-off & ongoing projects, tours, recordings and collaborations of all different types and styles.
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2020 sees me collaborating on a new and exciting Jazz & Folk project, alongside continuing in the drum seat with the wonderful Brothers of Blues - the Mojo Rollers.
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To contact me about projects, dep work and teaching, please send me a message!
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In 2015 I began the 'Drums in Health' programme in partnership with the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. My aim was to study the effects music - in particular the drum - can have on cognition and long-term memory access among those living with dementia.
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I ran a series of percussion workshops with long-term residents of Fulbourn Hospital, including secondary workshops with younger people at various stages of mental health recovery. As part of this I wrote an article for the Trust's magazine documenting my work alongside trained health professionals, and my observations of using drumming and dance to improve cognition (please contact me if you would like a copy!)
I am a passionate believer in the potential use of music as an effective tool in mental health rehabilitation and wellness, and would be interested to hear from anyone about this topic - including any musicians who are also active in this area.
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Drop me a message on my contact page!