Biography

After having a choice of flute, clarinet or saxophone from urging parents as a young child in Primary school, Neil chose the saxophone not knowing that music would soon become his life. At only twenty one years of age, Neil studied his BMus (Hons) at The University of Huddersfield graduating as the most able and concentrated jazz player. Neil now plays all woodwind instruments to professional level and is constantly striving to push his performance.

His dedication to music is priority in his life and thoroughly enjoys teaching, performing and

repairing instruments to their maximum effect. He has played with the likes of the famous Carl Raven, Neil Crossley, Rob Buckland, Jim Fieldhouse and Sarah Markham to name a few. Neil’s last major concert was with the worldwide acknowledged BBC session player also currently in charge of the UK’s Saxophone Assault, Andy Scott at the Lawrence Batley Theatre.

Neil also performs in the local community playing for Glossop and Hadfield's music festivals,

carnivals and the annual switching on of the Christmas lights.

Neil has majored in composition during his studies in the past and has produced full original film scores for films like Alien Versus Predator - this is working with picture and music to create a new score to the one in the film. Now Neil writes exercises, studies and pieces for jazz and classical playing to assist his tutoring. His fascination with contemporary music and progressive aspects of

the arts makes him produce experimental and exciting pieces that, if desired, his students can also enjoy.

Neil studied a PGCE in Secondary Music Education at Manchester Metropolitan University in conjunction with The Royal Northern College of Music during which he realised that it was private tuition and not classroom that he wanted to go into. This was after much experience as a classroom teacher and working in various primary and secondary schools in the Greater Manchester and Tameside areas.

Neil has constantly been taught in the ways of jazz, funk and improvisation and has been in many lead/ team player/solo roles in the past 7 years in swing, jazz, funk, and wind bands, concert bands, run a successful quartet, a funk band called Dynamo in Manchester and even played on Songs of Praise. Neil has played with man other bands as a guest including Rapture and continues to look for new experiences.

2010 has brought more solo work for Neil than any other year - due to his unique use of the Akai Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) and mix of acoustic woodwind instruments.

In 2011 Neil intends to continue his excellent teaching and push this into secondary schools to get more chirldren learning instruments and the joy of music and also push his performance career. This will hopefully start with the joining of a large national jazz/swing band in January/February this year. Neil enjoys charity work and has often raised money for charities. Manchester Metropolitan University are having an event fundraiser in Feb 11 and Neil is opening the night with a jazz set.

Currently

Neil now enjoys life as a freelance musician: teaching, session and band performances, repairing and composing. Neil teaches adults and children alike, runs a concert band and jazz band for his students, organises masterclassess, visits primary schools, plans and runs workshops for youth learning music, hire and purchase of woodwind & brass instruments, runs an extensive blog for all his students, does peripatetic teaching including woodwind instrumental lessons at Wilmslow High School and puts 110% passion into everything musical...

"Music lives in everyone..." Neil.