The Band

Graham Wright

Trumpet, Cornet and Vocals

Graham began playing the cornet at the age of 10 and later switched to trumpet. He studied trumpet at the Colchester Institute of music with George Reynolds of the London Symphony Orchestra, joined the band of the Irish Guards in which he became principal trumpet, and continued his studies at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall with John Hardy of Covent Garden. He also studied instrument technology at Merton College in Surrey for which he gained a City and Guilds degree equivalent. He now teaches the subject at Merton College.

Graham continues to play as a free-lance trumpeter, gives private tuition for brass players and also repairs instruments.

His love of dance-band music of the 1930s and 1940s came from listening as a boy to 78 rpm records of British dance bands on a wind up gramophone. At college he co-founded the Tea Rooms Ensemble to play music of the period. He helped form the 12-piece Mayfair Dance Orchestra in the early 1990s until its leader emigrated to the USA taking the band’s arrangements with him. He then joined forces with John Ashworth in 1997 to run the seven-piece New Foxtrot Serenaders.

Richard Pywell

Slide Trombone

Richard’s first exposure to jazz music was a 78rpm big band recording of Stan Kenton’s “Intermission Riff”. Having dabbled with piano lessons he began trombone at secondary school with the Croydon Music Service (for whom he now teaches). Later, Richard gave Graham his first show business break when, as fellow inmates at Colchester Institute, he invited Graham to “cut his jazz teeth” by joining the college big band on 5th trumpet. Richard continued with formal Post-Graduate study at the Royal College of Music and the National Centre for Orchestral Studies, and then went on to become a founding member of Loose Tubes, the influential British big band of the late 1980s, with whom he toured the UK, Europe and North America, performed at the BBC Proms and at Ronnie Scott’s, and played on three albums and many TV and radio broadcasts.

Since those heady days at the cutting edge of contemporary jazz Richard has followed a musical pilgrimage back to earlier genres, performing in situations as diverse as the Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, the Blowpipes Trombone Trio, the musical Chicago (West End and touring productions), the English Classical Players, Elvis The Musical (West End), The Bryan Smith Orchestra (P&O ballroom cruises), the Croydon Brass Quintet, and The Bert Kaempfert Orchestra. Unable to kick his terminal addiction to running unfeasibly large ensembles, Richard is also Musical Co-Director of the 20-piece Hot Orange (contemporary) big band. 2006 has seen further landmark achievements, performing with USA Gospel Guru Dr. Ron Kenoly (live on worldwide Sky TV), with Colombian Salsa Maestro Roberto Pla, and with legendary big band leader Len Phillips…….

John Elliott

Tuba

John Elliott has been a freelancer in the UK and abroad for 50 years. He comes from a long line of musicians, although he was the first family member to choose the tuba.

He has played for most UK symphony orchestras, ballet and opera companies. In addition to playing for many recordings, films and TV shows, he has played in the pit for many West End productions.

During his long career, he has played on over 300 “jingles” (TV commercials), playing all sorts of bizarre instruments as well as the tuba.

His hobbies include maintaining his collection of over 100 instruments (not only brass) all of which he has played professionally.

JOHN BEAUMONT

Piano

John’s love of jazz and the piano was inspired when, as a young boy he would hear his father play Fats Waller tunes on his family’s piano.

He began teaching himself piano, only starting formal lessons aged 14, along with learning the trumpet and euphonium.

During his music degree, John’s early interest in jazz developed, and he had lessons with the jazz pianist Reg Webb and ran the college big band.  Following post-graduate study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, John began his professional life as a repetiteur with the Royal College of Dancing, Central School of Ballet, London School of Contemporary Dance and Laine Theatre Arts.

In 1988 he joined HM Band of the Irish Guards as pianist and euphonium player.  This gave the opportunity for performing in many interesting venues across the globe and closer to home, playing for state and military occasions including investitures, state banquets and Changing the Guard.

After 28 years in the army John is now retired and continues to enjoy a musical life playing in various jazz ensembles around London and the South East.