. . . . . . I recorded my first collection of songs "All the good things"  whilst living and working in London Town. I'd always been a closet warbler since I was a nipper, but this was my first foray as the "singer songwriter" - since college I'd been making my way working as a pianist and saxophonist. But with such a fine bunch of musical amigos on board, the recording was everything I'd hoped for. I liked singing, I carried on doing it! Having spent the next few years writing bits and pieces and getting to know my voice better, I'm now hoping to record some new ditties in the not too distant future - will keep you posted on that!
 
 . . . . . . I've worked with the pop group 'Morcheeba' on sax and flute (well, I borrowed a flute and held it!), touring with them and recording on their album 'Charango' - including 3-day trips to Milan to mime for three minutes - there's no business like show business!
 
 . . . . . . I've been gigging and recording with the brilliant 'Ilya', a genre defying band that morphs at will from burlesque theatricals to glam rock to slapped out mermaid blues - lovely stuff!!
 
. . . . . . . I've been having lots of swinging fun with the Ruth Hammond Trio, playing piano and singing in the company of those lovely fellows Valere Speranza on double bass and the Hammond on drums. And just to clear this up as we get asked on a regular basis - nope, me and Mr Hammond are not brother and sister, we're married you see - no White Stripes controversy here. Check out BANDS I'M IN.
 
. . . . . . . I've been playing on my organ - no choice with name like Hammond! In the company of Scott and guitarist James Forster, we are transformed into the Forster Hammond Trio - check out BANDS I'M IN.
 
. . . . . . . I've been watching Kipper the Dog with my beautiful little girl (the sax player on the soundtrack is one of my main influences), trying to learn the guitar, getting thrashed at tennis but somehow still enjoying it, and teaching and playing music with many good folks.
 
BACK IN THE DAY . . . . . .
 
I remember playing music from a very early age and my lovely mum and dad encouraged me in a non-scary way. Me and my sis played duets on the piano - it was all very idyllic : - )
I've always been extremely fortunate with the music teachers I've had, starting with a brilliant piano teacher of the quirky old lady variety. Her love of music was infectious and she always pushed me to do my best, as did my first clarinet teacher - thanks Mrs Amor and Mr Dunkley! They took me through to Grade 8 and then I got the chance to attend the junior department of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. During the next five years I studied with some of the top tutors in the country, including clarinettist John Davies and the saxophonists Tim Garland and Matt Wates. I was unaware of the credentials of these guys until a few years later, but they awakened my interest in jazz. I started going along to the training band rehearsals for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and was inspired at the standard of playing by people my own age.
At eighteen, I applied for the Jazz Studies degree at Leeds College of Music, one of the first courses of it's kind. I was accepted and set off up North. Once again, I lucked out and had the best possible teacher and mentor in the shape of pianist Nikki Iles,  who was a great inspiration to me. On graduating, I was awarded prizes for being the most outstanding saxophonist in my year and for the best overall performance in my finals. Just before leaving Leeds I came runner-up in the national competition "The Young Jazz Player of the Year" - which was nice!