About:

At the age of 11, hearing Tony Williams play on Four and More ignited my passion for drumming. His precision and musicality captivated me, sparking a desire to achieve mastery on my instrument. As I delved into jazz, drummers like Elvin Jones and Brian Blade profoundly influenced my approach, guiding me to convey emotion, intensity, and express my own musicality through my playing. Beyond the drum kit, I found myself obsessed with the harmony and vibrant colours of jazz music, prompting a deeper aspiration to become a versatile musician. Growing up in a family of professional musicians instilled in me the importance of adaptability in the competitive music industry. This drove me to expand my skill set, dedicating time over the past 10 years to teach myself piano. Now, as I embark on a career in jazz, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from esteemed drummers such as James Maddren, Jason Brown, and Francesco Ciniglio. Their guidance has shaped my musical journey, reinforcing my commitment to continuous growth and artistic exploration.

I have been fortunate enough to study at both Junior Trinity and Junior Royal Academy of Music Jazz - helping me to develop my classical percussion playing and introduced me to the inspiring world of conservatoires, cementing my ambition to follow the conservatoire route post A-levels to where I now study - The Guildhall School of Music. As a naturally driven person in every aspect of my life, I soon formed my own project after joining JRAM, celebrating the music of Kenny Wheeler. COVID-19 hit just as we were about to start gigging, so instead I put together several remote recordings which gave me a chance to transcribe and adapt some of his big band arrangements. Whilst jazz is my first love, I have been able to put my classical percussion training to good use, performing with opera companies and being a current member of the Kingston Philharmonia.

Thankfully, my performance experience started very early on with my local music service, Merton Music Foundation, with whom I have performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Tower of London, and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. I have experience as a session musician for artists including singer-songwriter Orla Gartland’s hit single: ‘I Go Crazy’, recording drum cues for BBC’s ‘Silent Witness’, playing on Emma Rawicz’s debut album: ‘Incantation’ as well as being scoring director for an up-and-coming Netflix/Disney+ pilot. I have also played at many of London’s leading jazz clubs including shows with my own quartet at Pizza Express Soho and Oliver’s Jazz Bar as well as performing as a sideman such as sold-out Ronnie Scott’s with the Emma Rawicz quintet as well as the Stan Sulzmann Neon Orchestra. In addition to this, I have also had the privilege of travelling abroad for music such as touring as a pianist and musical director to the Caribbean. In December 2022, I also formed my own ‘International Quintet’ consisting of some musicians I met through time spent in Germany and organised small tours across some London and South-West German jazz venues. 

Fortunately, my performance journey began at an early age with the Merton Music Foundation, where I had the opportunity to perform at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Tower of London, and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships. Over the years, I've also gained valuable experience as a session musician, contributing to various projects including singer-songwriter Orla Gartland's hit single "I Go Crazy", providing drum cues for BBC's "Silent Witness," and playing on Emma Rawicz's debut album "Incantation." Additionally, I've been a scoring director for an upcoming Netflix/Disney+ pilot.

My performance experience also extends to London's renowned jazz clubs, where I've played with my own quartet at venues such as Pizza Express Soho, Oliver's Jazz Bar and Jazz at the Parakeet. As a sideman, I've had the honour of performing at sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott's with the Emma Rawicz quintet and the Stan Sulzmann Neon Orchestra. Furthermore, I've had the opportunity to travel internationally for music, including touring as a pianist and musical director in the Caribbean. In December 2022, I established my own "International Quintet" comprised of talented musicians I connected with during time spent in Germany. Together, we organized successful tours across various jazz venues in London and South-West Germany.

Autumn 2022 saw the creation of ‘Nostra Jazz’ – a weekly jazz night on Old Street that I organise. After approaching the venue owners with a proposal for a jazz concert series, we soon began with an ever-changing line-up of some of the most exciting London-based jazz musicians – some highlights including Sultan Stevenson, Ali Watson, Tom Ollendorff, Alex Hitchcock, Rick Simpson, Ant Law and Rachael Cohen as well as my International Quintet.

One of my most recent projects that I’m working on is the London Intercollegiate Jazz Orchestra – a group which I have founded since recently starting my conservatoire studies - consisting of some of the most talented young jazz musicians across the London jazz scene – in February 2023, I was fortunate enough to conduct one of my own original compositions written for this group with the Guildhall Jazz Orchestra in Milton Court Concert Hall as well as running a concert for EFG London Jazz Festival in Nov ’23 conducting LIJO with special guests such as Stan Sulzmann, Nikki Iles and Nick Smart amongst others.