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Keiko Abe is linked to the marimba the way Isaac Stern is linked to the violin, or Yo Yo Ma to the cello. She has given master classes at leading music conservatories in North America, Europe, and Asia.In addition, she has recorded extensively on the Denon label, and has received numerous awards, including being the first woman inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame. Abe is a Professor of Music at Toho Gauken School of Music in Tokyo, maintains a full schedule of composing and touring, and has released more than 20 recordings. 

Thundering bass lines, not to mention Michael Anthony’s instantly recognisable backing vocals, play a crucial role in the unique sound of high-octane rockers Van Halen, a band that has been Michael’s musical home since their formation in the mid ‘70s. 

Bill Bailey is a comedian, musician and actor most well known for live shows Bewilderness and Part Troll, and his work on television in programmes such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Black Books. 

Professor of Saxophone for the Royal Marines, Simon Bates is known and respected for his stylistic versatility and instrumental prowess. Musical Director for Rick Astley’s re-launch tour in September, Simon is in great demand on the London jazz and session scene - his playing features on countless adverts, film scores, TV theme tunes and pop records. Simon has appeared live and recorded with a wide variety of bands and musicians including Elvis Costello, Lulu, Billy Ocean, Rick Wakeman, D:Ream, Chaka Khan, Emma Bunton, Seal and Peter Erskine. He has performed around the world in a wide variety of settings from the Q.E.2. and Eiffel Tower to Ronnie Scotts and the Jazz Cafe. 

Carter Beauford is a truly ambidextrous drummer who plays left-hand lead on a right-handed kit à la Billy Cobham. He’s famous for his distinctively intricate hi-hat patterns, yet, like Cobham, he can groove, and like Dennis Chambers he has a great ‘pocket’. And what’s more, he’s a pretty mean vocalist as well! 

Richard Bissill studied horn and piano at the Royal Academy of Music then joined the London Symphony Orchestra, aged 22. He has been Principal Horn of The London Philharmonic Orchestra for the past 25 years and has been a Professor of Horn at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama since 1983. As a freelance session player he can be heard playing on numerous films including Return of the Jedi, Chicken Run, Gladiator, The Mummy, Shrek, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and A Quantum of Solace and has worked with artists such as Paul McCartney, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Joni Mitchell and Westlife. He has performed the Britten Serenade and Mozart’s 4th concerto with the LPO at the RFH and the concertos of Haydn, Telemann, Mozart and Strauss at the QEH and the Barbican. Solo recordings include Bach’s Brandenburg concertos 1 and 2 with the Consort of London for Collins Classics, Back to Back to Back - an album of improvised inventions with the horn players Phillip Eastop and Jonathan Williams, Frank Martin’s Concerto for 7 Wind Instruments with the LPO for Chandos and Balfe’s Cantata ‘Sempre pensoso e torbido’ for Opera Rara. 

“These are the men who put brass music on the map: with their unbeatable blend of virtuosity, spontaneity and humour, they brighten the rosters of concert halls, international festivals and orchestra series throughout the world. Their numerous recordings, frequent television appearances and tireless efforts in the realm of music education have resulted in vast new audiences for the Art of the Canadian Brass." (Source: Washington Post) 

“The CP300 has proven to be a great keyboard to take on the road. It has better dynamics than any other keyboard I've used and the sampled grand piano is excellent. The built in speakers make it extremely useful as well because if I'm not getting enough piano in my stage monitors I can just turn the speakers on and it's sorted.” 

Nicholas Cox's recording of the Mozart Concerto and Quintet (ClassCD 1502) was released on the RLPOLive label in 2003. It has since been bradcast regularly on Classic FM. His latest recording of Richard Stauss's Duet Concertino on a Strauss double album with the RLPO under Gerard Schwarz was released in June 2005 on the Avie record label.
Other recordings include the Sonatas by Brahms and Reger (United:Cala 88012) and works for Clarinet by Bliss, Rawsthorne and Routh (Redcliffe 010). Future recording plans include a CD of British Music including several commissions for Redcliffe Records. 

When he was young, Mickey Curry dreamed of being a top session player, like his heroes Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd and Jim Gordon. He’s achieved that aim, playing with many top artists over the past twenty years. But during that same time he’s also maintained a high-profile and fulfilling gig with Canadian rocker Bryan Adams.