A musical education
Prior to working in the creative digital industries, I studied trombone at Chetham's School of Music under Chris Houlding before gaining my degree from the Guildhall School of Music, London, under Dudley Bright, Eric Crees, Simon Wills and Peter Gane.
At this time, I freelanced with various London orchestras at most major London concert venues, including under the baton of Mstislav Rostropovich, and performed concertos as a teenager with Lancashire Schools SO playing my own orchestration of Guilmant's Morceau Symphonique and as a student with the Guildhall Chamber Orchestra playing Frank Martin's Ballade for Trombone.
However, I was increasingly drawn towards electronic music and composition for media which led to an exploration of digital platforms and my subsequent professional direction diverting into the visual arts. With this change of direction, the trombone was left in its case for many years but became a project during the pandemic lockdown period.
Returning to music
In the few years since returning to my instrument, I have been fortunate to have experienced playing with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Glyndebourne with John Wilson conducting and multiple appearances with LPO Brass at Glynde. As a soloist I performed the premiere performance of a new work for solo trombone and orchestra by Polo Piatti with Hastings Sinfonia in 2024.
I am principal trombone with Sussex Symphony Orchestra, formed the quintet Long Man Brass, was a member of Harveys Brass and am in regular demand as a freelance musician with various orchestras across the South East including Hastings Philharmonic.
Jazz/Big Band highlights include appearing with the Guildhall Big Band under Scott Stroman fronted by the trumpet legend Randy Brecker at Ronnie Scott's, London; and more recently (2023), with the London Gay Big Band in their Liza with a 'Z' show supporting Christina Bianco at Clapham Grand, London and Theatre Royal, Brighton.
Freelance Trombonist
Now based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, I am available for freelance work (including orchestral, show and big band etc.) in the South-East region and further afield. Please contact me via chris@track5.co.uk.
