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Chris Jopson...
www.chrisjopson.com
Born and raised in Preston, Lancashire, Chris was brought up listening to an eclectic diet of great music from an early age and started learning the piano at seven years old. At the age of 13, he took up the drum kit and instantly fell in love with the instrument.
Straight away, Chris formed a rock group and began playing local gigs. He also joined a function band, specialising in 60’s and 70’s covers, with a group of older musicians and began playing paid gigs around the North West of England.
Around this time, Chris began to receive session work at a local theatre playing drums in shows and concerts. This helped him to develop and hone his sight reading skills to the highest level. He also played percussion for and recorded with internationally recognized Christian performer Godfrey Birtill.
After school Chris studied A-level music at Newman 6th Form College and formed a three piece band called Fi-Lo Radio. Fi-Lo Radio were together for around six years, during which time they played hundreds of gigs supporting bands such as Snow Patrol, Ash and The Coral. It was in this band Chris had his first taste of performing overseas, twice touring America. The band also appeared on television twice. This lead to him playing Paul Cook, the drummer of the Sex Pistols, in a Granada documentary. Fi-Lo Radio achieved Radio One airplay on the Steve Lamacq and John Peel radio shows.
Chris has studied drums at Drumtech in London and at Bath Spa University under the supervision of world class players and teachers including Steve White, Bob Armstrong and Steve Washington. He continues to work and record with a number of different bands, musicians and solo artists including jazz quartet Pinto Beans, singer/songwriter Stephanie Kirkham, instrumental jazz funk group 110th Street as well as two original rock outfits, notnowkato and ‘O’.
In early 2009 Chris joined sixties group The Mindbenders and plays to audiences in their thousands on the sixties scene with this established outfit. In October 2009 Chris also joined North West band Underdogs who have notched up noticeable support slots with the likes of Charlotte Hatherley, The Sunshine Underground and The Rumble Strips.
In Summer 2010 Chris teamed up with guitar teacher John Bailey to open up the JB Music Academy which is based in central Preston. He continues to work in a number of schools and colleges as a peripatetic drum teacher.
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John Bailey...
www.johnbaileymusic.co.uk
Born
and raised in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, John had a keen interest in
music initially playing trumpet and then guitar. During his time in
Huddersfield he regularly saw live music and performed at various venues
in the area. He moved to Preston to study at UCLAN during which time he
formed the band Microsleeper and played extensively around the UK. In
the last 3 years he has been performing in various Jazz ensembles with
many experienced Jazz musicians. John has recently attained an MA in
Jazz Performance at Leeds College of Music and has had tutoring from
Jiannis Pavlidis, Kathy Dyson and Uli Elbracht . He has received private
tuition from Manchester’s Mike Walker and New York guitarist Mike
Moreno and Austrian guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel. John has also attended
Masterclasses with Dave Weckl, George Garzone, Gwilym Simcock and has
performed for Dave Liebman during his visit to Leeds College of Music.
John composes original jazz music and is releasing an album in 2012. You
can hear some tracks from the demo 'Lakes' hear: http://soundcloud.com/search?q%5Bfulltext%5D=john+bailey+music+uk. |
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Tom Wilson...
Born in Glasgow, Tom started playing drums at the age of 4 years old and at the age of 10, moved onto the piano. Very soon afterward he encountered organ and started to play professionally from the age of 12.
After gigging for 3 years, he decided it was time to learn more. He studied privately for 5 years on practical and theory, followed by a spell at Langside college studying for L.R.A.M.
He has been involved in the music business professionally as a musician,composer and producer for over 30 years, and has had publishing contracts, during his time with "The Nightcrawlers" with both Virgin and Island records.
He has performed in many line-ups, from solo,duo,trio etc.and as the musical director of bands up to 14 piece.
During the last 20 years he has worked for many of the leading hotel groups in the U.K. including:-
Hilton,Marriot,Thistle,Ramada and Mercure to name but a few and has also performed for such luminaries as - Bill Clinton (U.S.President),Tony Blair (U.K.Prime Minister),Howard Keel(International Singer and Film Star),Randy Crawford (International Singer),Cliff Richard (Singer),Marion Montgomery(International Jazz Singer),Rick Wakeman(Keyboard Player),Robert Powell (Actor) Roy Castle (Musician and entertainer)Johnny Mathis (International Singer),Don Felder ( Guitarist with the Eagles),and Steve Cropper (Guitarist with Booker T, the Original Blues Brothers and founder of Stax records) to name but a few.
He has performed at private functions at many stately homes and castles, and corporate functions for BMW, ORANGE,RAILWAY CHILDREN'S CHARITY, RANGERS FC, BLACKBURN ROVERS FC,Headingley stadium and Ewood Stadium for various product launches etc.
Tom is still very actively composing and writing and is currently working with several leading vocalists and musicians.
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Phil Ireland...
From the first moment Phil picked up a
bass guitar at the age of just 14, he began to mould a career as a
professional musician. Starting out playing in bands during his
school days, alongside studying in-depth music theory involving
various techniques, music styles, composition experimentation, under
the guidance of session guitartist Gerard Sink. A decade on Phil's knowledge of,
passion for and dedication to playing and music in general has seen
him gig nationwide and beyond, be broadcast on music channel
“Kerrang”, receive a number 1 video with his band Exit State, as
well as fronting prog rock Preston based band Spiral Tower, and
forming his other band House on Fire. Alongside all the long term
projects Phil has always sustained his versatility by being involved
in many small projects such as Drum and Bass live sets, 60's
nostalgia charity gigs, session work for various projects etc. At present Phil's main musical release
is playing and writing with the band Exit State, with which he has
forthcoming tours/gigs set for the UK and Europe, alongside which
they are making music videos, all to accompany the release of their
second album 'Black Veins'. You can also find Phil performing in the
1976 Liverpool based band 'Marseille' who reformed in 2007 with
original members Neil Buchanan (of childrens tv show Art Attack) and
Andy Charters, playing to a new generation of supporters. With his extensive experience and
musical practice, Phil is a passionate teacher, giving his pupils an
all encompassing musical education, teaching them all aspects of bass
theory and practice, spanning all genres, preparing them for
examinations, as well as instilling his enthusiasm for playing with
other musicians and his enjoyment of music in general with each and
every one of his pupils.
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Heather Coulton...
Heather
won her first ever singing competition at the age of 3 and has been
singing ever since. Growing up with a family owned music shop
(Henderson Music LTD) is also something that has fed Heather’s
musical desire to play numerous instruments and experiment more with
her voice and with her compositions. Heather has just completed her
BA Hons in Musical Theatre and Drama Performance at University of
Cumbria (formerly Cumbria Institute of the Arts) and was accepted to
study her MA in Composition at Leeds College of Music in September
2011. However, she will be attending Leeds College of Music at a
later date as she will be pursuing her teaching and writing, amongst
other things this year. Heather
has taught for a stage school called, Stageface which is situated in
Lockerbie and Dumfries where she tutored the discipline of singing to
6-16 year olds and also worked on performances and end of year shows
(The Wiz). Heather has been a singer/songwriter from a very early age
and thoroughly enjoys passing on her experience and expertise whilst
teaching singing. Recently, she has written a musical based on the
life of Mrs Rosa Parks (A Rose between Thorns), which was performed
at her University’s theatre and was very well received. Heather
was born in Preston and performs regularly at different gigs and open
mic nights here, both as a solo artist on piano and in her band
(Swans&Swans) where she collaborates with a guitarist. She is
also an avid volunteer worker and has recently travelled to Morocco
to assist in orphanages and to work with street kids amongst many
other things. She is now volunteering herself in projects closer to
home where she will be imparting and contributing her musical
knowledge and abilities.
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| Jim Molyneux... |
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