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In
the 1990s he presented a long-running radio series of popular
music from around the world for BBC Radio Scotland, as well
as contributing to jazz and general arts programmes. This
coincided with a busy spell of free-lance work, where his
stylistic versatility as a drummer kept him in demand for
all kinds of work.
In
2004, he founded the Classic Jazz Orchestra to investigate
and re-interpret the entire range of jazz styles from ragtime
to hard bop, and this has provided a focus for his writing.
The versatility and professionalism of the CJO’s members
enables him to write without constraint and, with settled
personnel, his writing is able to emphasise the strengths
of individuals.
Favourite
drummers include Big Sid Catlett, Jake Hanna, Osie Johnson,
Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach, Louis Hayes and Billy Higgins,
while favourite arrangers include Benny Carter, Neal Hefti,
Duke Ellington, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Gil Evans. |