BIOGRAPHY
Gary started learning instruments at a young age with recorder, violin and eventually clarinet. Becoming quiet proficient on the clarinet it was a natural progression to take up the saxophone. After graduating from Bristol Polytechnic in 1977 he decided to remain in the city and got a job in one of the local jazz bands. This was really the start of his musical career.
After spending a couple of years performing in the local Bristol jazz scene he decided to leave the city and go travel Europe. Eventually, he landed in Düsseldorf, Germany. The city had an extensive and vibrant live music culture. He played in a number of local bands and was getting regular work. At the same time he was able to get tuition and coaching with seasoned musicians such as John C. Marshall (guitarist by Ray Charles, WDR, Dave Kamien, RTL Bigband) and Wilton Gaynair (saxophonist with WDR, Edelhagen). He was a regular guest at famous jazz venues such as Dr Jazz and Em Pöötzke.
Over the years Gary has been involved in numerous record, theatre and TV productions. He’s played with many notable musicians in the European music scene and made a name for himself as a competent, versatile and inspirational addition to any kind of project, whether it’s jazz combo, dance combo, big band or even classical ensembles. He has also established himself as a successful music teacher working in a number of schools.
At present Gary maintains a hectic performance schedule, while at the same time attending to his many teaching commitments. For the last 20 years he’s been heavily involved with the Düsseldorf jazz combo Superjazz. He can also be seen regularly during the Karneval season with Thomas Arens Combo in Cologn, as well as the band Via Notes and the guitar/sax dueo Two Smooth
Performing career
1977: Starts his music career in Bristol, England
1979: Moves to Germany
1979-1985: Side man with numerous well known bands in the Düsseldorf jazz scene (Cliff Wren, Metropole Jazzband, Lous Dassen, Jolly Jazz Orchestra). Regular gigs in Dr Jazz und Em Pöötzke
1980: Music tution and musical developement with John C. Marshall (Guitarist with Ray Charles, WDR Let’s Swing, Dave Kamien, RTL Bigband).
1980: Saxophon tuition with Wilton Gaynair (Saxophonist WDR, Edelhagen).
1985-2000: Joins the John Marshall Band under the direction of John C. Marshall. Studio, CDs, TV, Tours in Germany, Holland, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Italy. (North Sea Jazz Festival, Leverkusener Jazztage, Viersener Jazz Festival, ZDF Tele Illustrierte, WDR , Bayerischer Hof München, Nachtcafe München).
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1992-2001: Becomes a member of Udo Reising’s Jazz Salon & Waschbrett Orchester. Numerous German tours.
2002: Side man in the Apollo Theater, Düsseldorf
2004-2009: Side man in Movie Park Germany, Bottrop. Regular performances
2005-2012: Joins Big Band Friends, Düsseldorf as 1st Tenor, under the direction of John C. Marshall. Numerous concerts (British military bases, Street Festivals, „Cotton Club“ in Düsseldorf).
2009: Gospel project with M&R Gospelchor Kaarst EV.. Numerous concerts.
Since 2002: Saxophonist with the band Superjazz, Düsseldorf. House band at the jazz venue Em Pöötzke in the Düsseldorf old town. CD Productions and numerous gigs (Jazz Rallye Düsseldorf, Schumacher Brewery Düsseldorf, BMW Oldtimer Rallye, Kanzleramt Berlin for Angela Merkle, Düsseldorfer Jonges, Tours in Holland, Switzerland, France).
Since 2013: Member of the Thomas Arens Combo. Regular functons in the Cologne Karneval Scene (accompanying band for the Bläck Fööss, Höhner, Räuber, etc.).
Since 2014: Member of the band Via Notes, Düsseldorf. Numerous concerts (Stadtmuseum Düsseldorf, Hohe Strassenfest, jazz club Em Pöötzke)
Since 2016: Member of the duo Two Smooth, Düsseldorf. Gitarre/Sax duo with regular concerts (Düsseldorf Town Hall, NRW Landtag, the „Soroptimistin“ Düsseldorf).
Since 2016: Member of the band Swing House, Cologne. Monthly performances in jazz club Streckstrump.
Teaching career
Since 2002: Teacher at the Further Music School, Neuss (Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute). Individual and group tuition. Early musical training. Directing Ensembles and projects. Conducting a BigBand.
2003-2006: Teacher at the State Music School, Neuss (Clarinet).
Since 2004: Teacher at the music school Tommy’s Workshop, Viersen (Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Recorder). Individual and group tuition. early musical training.
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Since 2013: Teacher at the state grammer school „Kobi“ Gymnasium, Benrath (Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute). Individual and group tuition.