BIOGRAPHY
Musicians, bands and projects I have worked with over the years have given me a rich and diverse experience of being a musician. With a strong musical education and early musical opportunities as a starting point, I have found every successive experience illuminating on what music can be, and an endless source of inspiration for my own projects.
Whether as a seasoned performer on world tours and studio sessions, or as an engineer/producer in the studio, I count myself lucky to have had a career thus far that has been as varied as it has been interesting.
Being a musician requires a set of skills that can be adapted to any situation. With the creation of my own purpose-built studio facility, Steinway Recording, I have been able to unify many aspects of my career. I was recently described as a ‘Tonmeister’ by a notable composer in the studio and, while I have no formal Tonmeister qualification, my many years' experience as a player and technician place me firmly within that sphere. Steinway Recording is rapidly building a reputation as the studio of choice for many classical, jazz and mainstream projects.
2021 - present. Joined Fish and his band for the Vigil's End tour.
2021 - present. First met Carol Decker in the mid 1990's on writing sessions, and have worked with her in various guises ever since. It was a no brainer when Carol called me up to play in T'Pau!
2014 - present. Joined Deva Premal & Miten. Their worldwide concerts and best-selling albums have introduced millions of people to the joy and depth of meaning found in spiritually-based songs, and to chanting mantras from the Eastern meditation traditions.
2016 MD for the legendary Rita Coolidge on her UK and Ireland tour.
2014 Toured with John Harle and Marc Almond on their Tyburn Tree tour - a project about the dark side of historical London. A fantastic experience of musical crossover really succeeding.
2008 - present. Pianist on several tracks for Simon Harris’ Unidentified Flying Project, working alongside Omar Hakim, Pino Palladino, Wayne Krantz, Keith Carlock, Robbie McIntosh and other great musicians.
2000 - 2013 Joined Joan Armatrading's band full-time, touring all over the world with her.
1995 Teamed up with Jacqui McShee and Gerry Conway to write and record our album About Thyme. Featuring many guests with whom we have worked, this project later became Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle. The latest album Live 1995-2011 is available from the band's website. The band regularly tours.
1990 Started working with John Martyn and for 19 years was full-time in his band until his death in January 2009. Played on all and co-produced several albums, starting with Cooltide (1991). Being part of the John Martyn band was more a way of life than a gig!
1989 - present. Joined Julia Fordham’s band for her Porcelain tour and have performed with Julia many times ever since. Most recently in Japan at the Billboard Live clubs in February this year.
1986 Won a place at Berklee College Of Music in Boston, USA and was awarded the Chick Corea Half-Tuition scholarship. Coming back to the UK in 1987 I studied at Goldsmiths College in London, gaining a BMus (hons) degree in 1991.
1984-6 Among the many bands was Savajazz, where I met percussionist and lifelong friend Miles Bould. We have been in several bands together and have collaborated on many projects. Our own project Peoplespeak has seen two albums released – Peoplespeak and Gracenotes. In 1992 Peoplespeak collaborated with US vibes player Mike Mainieri and his band Steps Ahead on their Yin-Yang album.
1984 Via my brother I met guitarist Dominic Miller, who needed a keyboard player for his new project Iguazu. An album was in the process of being recorded and there were dates at the 1984 Edinburgh Festival. Through Iguazu I met many great musicians including Scott Firth, Dave Heath, Andy Barron and Taj Wyzgowski, and was soon very busy in bands around London.
1981-4 Studied at Newark Technical College, followed by a year of self-employment building speakers and flight cases. Moved to London to pursue music full time.
1976-81 Played first trumpet and piano in the Toothill Dance Band run by the legendary teacher Colin Smith MBE, another great inspiration in my musical life. Gigging for dances every weekend of my school life from the age of 11 provided a solid foundation for later touring! Met drummer Chris Wallington at school. We would jam on Saturday afternoons and listen to records that Chris bought every weekend. These sessions introduced me to much of the music that has been a constant influence for me ever since - Weather Report, ECM Records artists, Miles Davis, John Martyn, Frank Zappa, Crusaders, Steely Dan (I could go on!).
1974-81 East Notts Saturday Music School. Tutors included the great William Moss - a truly inspirational teacher who gave so much energy and passion in his teaching of piano and what music means.