In this episode I talk with Jason Rebello, on Twitter @JasRebello who is an amazing pianist most likely known for his original jazz albums, but he has also had a career working with many other household names across all genres.

Jason released his first album ‘A Clearer View’ when he was twenty after being signed by Wayne Shorter to BMG records and has since then released a further seven albums.

As well as his solo career Jason toured with Sting for six years and played on three of his albums before then joining Jeff Beck’s band for a further six years of touring and another three albums. Throughout this time Jason worked alongside the likes of Chaka Khan, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel among others.

In this episode we talk about:

The dirty work of practice

How to lose yourself in music

Having a positive mindset

Jason’s two golden rules

And much more

Enjoy!

This episode features a chat with Tim Goodyer, on Twitter @timbogoodyer and Instagram @timgoodyerdrums, who currently holds the chair for the new West End musical Hamilton, which is also arguably the biggest show in the World right now!

Before this show Tim has played on countless others and with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philharmonia. The list of artists he has worked with includes Mari Wilson, Pixie Lott, Don Airey, Andrea Bocelli, Tony Hadley, Rick Astley, Jason Donovan, Michael Ball, Mary Beth Chapman and many others.

In this episode we talk about:

The importance of playing with other people

Getting a break in the show World

Working with Orchestras as a drummer

Brand involvement in a musician’s career

And much more

Enjoy!

My guest on this episode is Steve Pearce, who is one of the most experienced bass players working in London today.

Most recently he held the bass chair in the West End for the Carol King musical Beautiful, and plays regularly on sessions in the top London studio.

Over the course of his career he has played with the likes of Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Al Jarreau, Bryan Ferry, Madonna, Mark Knoplfer, Seal, Randy Crawford and many more. His TV work includes being in the house band for shows such as Sports Personality of the Year, Proms in the Park, The Royal Variety Show and many more.

In this episode we talk about:

The skills needed to work in studio sessions

Grafting and serving your talent

The experience of working with household names

The importance of doubling on your instrument

And much more

Enjoy!

In this episode I talk with Tommy Emmerton, on both Instagram and Twitter as @tommyemmerton, who is currently the guitarist on The Book of Mormon in the West End and also the BBC Big Band.

Tommy has a wealth of experience across many parts of the music industry and we touch on several of these during our chat but also drive deep into Tommy’s take on practice and explains some amazing tips that anyone can use straight away.

In this episode we talk about:

How to be productive with your time

A musician’s life on the road

The theatre industry today and advice for getting involved

Learning your craft as a musician

And much, much more

Enjoy!

My Guest for this episode is Ian King, on Instagram @iankingbass, who currently holds the bass chair for the hit musical 'Hamilton' that is playing in London's Victoria Palace Theatre.

Ian is a prolific West End musician who has held bass chair on Daddy Cool, Fame, Hairspray, Sister Act, Shrek the Musical, The Book of Mormon and Dreamgirls as well as Hamilton. With all of these shows combined Ian has been working in West End pits for over twelve years straight.

As well as this Ian is well versed in other areas of live music having credits working with The Temptations, The Supremes, Sister Sledge, Ronan Keating, Huey Lewis, Paul Young, Rick Astley and Albert Lee as well as arena tours and TV credits including The Graham Norton Show and Strictly Dance Fever to name a few.

In this episode we cover topics including:

How to get in to the West End

Crucial non-musical considerations on a big show

The key relationships of a pit bass player

How to cultivate over 15 years of consistency

My guest on this episode of the podcast is Mat Hector, on Instagram @mat.hits.stuff and Twitter as @mathectordrums, who is currently the drummer for Iggy Pop, or as some call him, the ‘Godfather of Punk’.

Prior to getting involved with Iggy, Mat worked with Thomas Dolby, the popular singer and producer who is credited with two hit singles.

Further still Mat plays live with the part rock show, part immersive cinema experience Gutterdammerung where he and the rest of the band accompany a silent film featuring some of the biggest rock names on the planet. 'Think of a deafening rock ‘n’ roll version of Secret Cinema taking place in hell and you might just begin to have an idea of what Gutterdammerung is.’

In this episode we cover topics including:

Mat’s view on work ethic and focus.

The key attributes for becoming a successful drummer.

Your attitude on a big gig.

Health, fitness and life balance.

And much more.

Enjoy!

My guest for this episode is one of the UK’s most in demand guitar players, Adam Goldsmith, on Instagram @theadamgoldsmith. Adam’s CV is really something to behold.

Check it all out in detail here: https://www.adamgoldsmith.co.uk/

Adam is one of the most experienced musicians you will ever come across who can turn his hand to anything required on a guitar and has consistently been at the top of the industry for many years.

In this episode we cover topics including:

What a music education doesn’t teach you.

Sustaining an income over a career as a musician.

Home session work.

Advice for current young musicians.

And much, much more.

Enjoy!

This first episode features Jim Knight who is one of the UK’s leading saxophonists and producers. He has performed with a star-studded list of artists live and has also worked on the London theatre scene. As well as performing live Jim also does recording sessions around London and runs his own studio 'Knight Time Studios' where he has engineered and performed for many more big named artists, most recently of which is Carrie Hope Fletcher and her latest album ‘When The Curtain Falls’ which is currently ranked fifth in the iTunes album chart.

Check out all Jim is doing here: http://www.knighttimestudios.com/

In this episode we talk about:

Transitioning from being a student to becoming a fully fledged professional performer.

How to get and keep the work you want.

The current state of the music industry.

Social media and it’s influence on a musicians’ career.

And much, much more.

Enjoy!