Richard

Biography

Went to public school from an early age where it was decided that, between the beatings and the fagging, I should take up the trumpet, even though I had asked to play the drums. So, the parents bought the trumpet and paid for the lessons, whilst my brother and I bought the drum kit. Was coerced into the school orchestra, but joined the school rock group. Continued to play at Uni. Happy days, until I left home and acquired neighbours.

So, out went the kit - the trumpet had been jacked in years before - and on went my life. Forever tapping and humming Prog Rock tunes (ELP, Gentle Giant, Yes) - I say humming advisedly, because my singing comes with a health warning.

Then, mid-life crisis arrived and it was love at first sight when I set eyes on a friend's saxophone. Rented myself an Alto and had lessons with a truly fantastic sax player and teacher (Chris Pyne - awesome dude, total respect), who told me, "[Glasshopper], you must use the air in whole room". Six months of blowing my horn into the corner of the room, listening to the different noises coming from it, only some of which possessed any trace of musicality, and I understood. Truly a Zen Master at work.

Am in awe of (and saw live in concert) the late, great Michael Brecker, as well as Courtney Pine, Paul Desmond, Joshua Redman, Bob Berg and Bob Mintzer.

Have since moved to Tenor, and played most types of music from jazz and swing bands, to concert bands, and with anyone who will have me, but always wanted to go back to playing music I like to listen to. Home life was the sound of Sinatra and West Side Story, but my formative years were spent discovering girls to the sound of Motown, Soul and Disco. So I guess I have come almost full circle with The Backline Band.

Blame It On The Boogie The Letter Lady Marmalade Real Gone Kid Sweet Soul Music Valerie Hold On I'm Coming These are 90 second sample tracks, contact us if you would like the full CD.