"After quickly becoming the best and most accomplished virtuoso tennis racket strummers in the entire street and after the split due to artistic differences of my first band, the critically ignored Skittling Teabags, I decided to play the drums. After one year of stick banging mayhem I gave up and decided to devote myself to the guitar. After learning to play by accident(that's another story) and one year of self tuition I began taking lessons from guitarist/composer Eddie Stewart by whom I was instructed in the art of classical composition and guitar techniques. Shortly afterwards I was introduced to the theory and improvisational vehicle of jazz by the renowned American jazz pianist Dave Latchaw.

At Perth College I gained experience in recording and doing sessions. I also was involved in several projects at Cava studios in Glasgow. It was around this time that my main guitar, the "electric banana" was seen in a TV advert and it is with this guitar that I am always associated.   Whilst working at Stage 2000 studios in Dundee, I was involved in the jazz-fusion trio Mains Jam, touring the east coast of Scotland and releasing 2 CDs.  

As well as teaching full time privately, I was an active member of the Dundee Guitar Festival Society for 4 years running the electric guitar component of its annual festival. This involves conducting a series of lectures, practical workshops and master classes. I also have to prepare and conduct the students for their individual and group performances.

My own solo performances for the festival have drawn on my wide musical influences giving mixed recitals of Paganini, Charles Mingus, Jimi Hendrix, Chick Corea and my unique jazzy versions of Vivaldi, Rimsky-Korsakov and Chopin. Through the society I have worked alongside Martin Taylor, John Goldie, Philip Thorn, Allan Neve, Tom Kirstens and Tony Mcmanus and the Russian composer Nikita Koshkin.

 

I have also taught at Watford College, Thames Valley University, lectured at Cambridge College, Redbrige College and at the Uxbridge Guitar society."

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