Joe

I am a freelance professional Trombonist who graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in summer 2020 with a first-class honour in BMus (Hons) Jazz Trombone. I have trained in both classical
and jazz under the direction of internationally recognised trombonists Trevor Mires, Eric Crees, Scott
Stroman and Dave Gibson. I started my musical journey coming through Tomorrow’s Warriors Youth
Organisation; and now as a graduate I am a performer and educator.

I have firmly established myself as a working musician in London’s vibrant music scene performing regularly in the UK and abroad. As a performer, my specialism – and passion – is in Jazz and Improvised Music. I am currently a member of Mercury Prize Nominated SEED Ensemble, New Regency Orchestra, and have played/toured with Balimaya Project, the LSO, the LCO as well as American Pianist Jason Moran. I have my own quintet in which I compose music for an ensemble consisting of two Drummers, myself on Trombone, Saxophone/Woodwinds, and Upright Bass. I also co-host an original music/jam session with Saxophonist Chelsea Carmichael called Some Other Stuff in Catford, London.

Alongside my work in Jazz and Improvised music, I also play with pop/soul artist Olivia Dean, in which I
have toured the UK, Europe and Japan – as well as playing iconic festivals such as Glastonbury. I have
worked with Rock band Black Midi, Nashville Blues Artist Sam Palladio, and American Pop/R&B singer
Dhruv. I have extensive experience as a session musician – having recorded on multiple albums for artists across a spectrum of genres, as well as film scores. I have performed at the BBC Proms, Love Supreme Jazz Festival, Later…with Jools Holland, The Graham Norton Show, Berlin Jazz Festival, Montclair Jazz Festival (US), and venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Barbican, Ronnie Scott’s, and Dizzy’s Jazz Club in New York. I am a highly skilled performer, educator, composer, arranger and band director. I have a strong knowledge in harmony, composition, arranging, instrumental technique, improvisation and have strong piano skills, and I have written for Symphony Orchestra, Big Bands, and smaller jazz ensembles.

Availability: Enquire for availability

Willing to travel: 2 miles

Experience: I currently work at The John Roan School, where I provide one-on-one tuition and group lessons to
students from Year 7 through Year 12, helping them prepare for their GCSE and A-level performances
and grade examinations. Additionally, I run a Brass Ensemble and Jazz Band. I have been working there
for over two years, with beginner brass students as well as more experienced students.

I am also a private teacher and have been teaching young trombonists, and trumpeters for the past four years. Two of my private students recently achieved ABRSM Grade 2 and Grade 4 Trombone with merit. Prior to this, I worked at Bonus Pastor Catholic College, teaching beginners in a one-on-one capacity, running their brass ensemble, and preparing students for their GCSEs.

Prior to these positions, I had 4 years’ experience working and training, in a variety of other educational
roles and environments. I had the role of teaching assistant at Jazz House Kids Summer workshop for 3
years consecutively in New Jersey, US. This consisted of me leading sessions in improvisation, combos,
trombone technique, and assisting the faculty run improvisation, big band sectionals, composition, 1:1
trombone lessons and teaching students from all over the world.

I was a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra’s Jazz Messengers, which is a specialist group that toured the country on a yearly basis and delivered workshops and interactive performances to primary, secondary and sixth form schools across the country. This was a highly successful program, we delivered our programme to over 5000 young people, all over the country. I also received training as a workshop leader, combo director and big band director as part of NYJO’s Mentor Scheme consisting of me shadowing some of the best educators in the country, and then being assessed on my workshop leading abilities. Alongside this, I have also been a NYJO ambassador, delivering brass masterclasses,
improvisation classes, and assisting the creative ensemble at NYJO’s weekly Saturday sessions in East
London.

Another organisation I have worked with is Tomorrow’s Warriors. I taught the 4 members of the trombone
section individually over the covid period in person and over zoom and have been an ambassador for Tomorrow’s Warriors Jazz Ticket regional outreach program, assisting improvisation workshops in Southampton where I grew up. As I have been heavily involved with NYJO and Tomorrow’s Warriors I will strongly recommend to all of my students below the age of 18 to attend sessions at both places, which also provide strong links to helping students of all backgrounds pursue careers in music.

Through my teaching experience and own links with these great youth organisations, and my own
experience of gaining a place at a conservatoire, I am well placed to help students on their musical
journeys - whether it is pursued as a hobby, or as a career path. I understand what it takes to pursue
music seriously, and I have experience in dealing with both the Trinity and ABRSM instrumental and
theory exam boards.

Although my primary instrument is the Trombone, I can also teach euphonium, marching valve trombone, cornet, and trumpet. I fully understand the mechanics and technique required to play all brass
instruments. I am also highly qualified in leading ensembles, of both brass and mixed instrumentation, and tailoring arrangements to suit the needs of a wide range of abilities. I am also able to teach composition, arranging, and theory, in a range of styles from Classical, to Jazz, to pop.