Where were you born and brought up?
I was born in Chatham in Kent and grew up in Rainham and Gillingham. I still live three miles from where I was born.

What are your earliest musical memories?
The first time I blew into a cornet and listening to Brahms 1st Symphony when I was about ten. I listened to the oboe solo in the slow movement over and over again and at that moment became hooked on classical music.

At what age did you start playing and why this particular instrument?
At about 7 or 8. As a member of the Salvation Army all the kids were encouraged to join the Young People’s Band. The cornet was my first choice. If I’d not succeeded, I could have changed to the horn or trombone.

When did you join the LPO?
1994.

How often do you practise? On what make of instrument?
A bit most days, but more often than not the job keeps me in practice. I play a Benge trumpet from Los Angeles.

What is the most joyous / difficult / annoying / interesting / frustrating thing about your instrument?
Joyous - When everything you do seems to work. All the risks come off and you make the sound you are happy with.
Difficult - Maintaining consistent standards when tired and with a heavy, demanding work-load - when lips, head and brain hurt.
Annoying - Because we're often loud, people like to put screens in front of us. It’s like trying to communicate through a window.
Interesting - Trying to work out why not everything you do seems to work i.e. problem solving.
Frustrating - When you can’t work out why not everything you do ...

Do you play any other instruments?
At school I wanted to play the oboe as I love the sound but was told that it would be bad for my trumpet embouchure. I used to try to play the piano and got to Grade VII but only in the same way as you can programme a robot to perform a task. There was nothing natural about it at all and, if I hadn’t been playing the trumpet already, I am sure I would have been written off as totally unmusical!

Which musicians do you enjoy listening to?
Any that project music above technique. My all time trumpet hero is Maurice André.

Which composer would you most like to have met?
It would have to be Mahler. Like most trumpeters he is my hero because he wrote lots of nice tunes for the instrument. It would have been interesting to see exactly what sort of sound and style that he favoured. Also he sounds like an interesting character although probably quite hard work - maybe not the sort to go for a relaxed pint with!

What is your most valued possession?
Maurice André's autograph which he signed on an Abbey Road Studios menu when I was about 17. Also my trumpet which I bought when I was 13, paid for by my paper round. I still play on it now. It’s getting a bit worn out but it would be impossible to replace.

Do you have any particular ambitions?
To play in the London Philharmonic Orchestra's Centenary Concert. Promotion for Gillingham.


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