Brass/Woodwind

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. 

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) 

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. 

Adam Frey has quickly established himself as one of the best euphonium soloists in the world by bringing his sharp intellect, mature musicianship, and charismatic stage presence to audiences all over the world. 

Russell has been a professional soloist for the last 15 years, establishing himself as one of the worlds leading exponents in the art of cornet playing. Russell keeps a busy diary of engagements including Gala performances, Recitals, Masterclasses, and educational workshops. This regularily takes him to most European countries, America, Japan, and Australia. He has released five solo recordings, all recieving high critical acclaim. The latest being a collection of Jean Baptist Arban solo's on an original 1870's Arban Courtois Cornet. More Solo recordings are being planned in the near future. Russell's other "passion" is conducting. In the last few years, he has become one of the most successful brass band conductors on the scene, being awarded the coveted title of "4barsrest.com conductor of the year" in 2002. 

James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, and piano. 

Eugene Rousseau has performed across North America and on five continents since his Carnegie Hall debut. The legendary saxophonist Marcel Mule described Rousseau as "a brilliant saxophonist and distinguished artist," and critics the world over have echoed Mule's praise. 

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Bobby began playing the guitar at the age of eight and switched to the trumpet at ten. By the time he was thirteen he was playing at local dances with a number of bands and by fifteen had put together his own group to play at dances, occasional concerts and in jazz coffee houses. 

Andrea Tofanelli is one of the most outstanding trumpet players in the international jazz scene. Born in Italy, he already performed with almost all great jazz musicians all over the world.