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Elliott Henshaw

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(updated 24 May 2008)

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The band, formed in 2005 is made up of some of my best friends and finest musicians.

The idea is to play great melodies and grooves whilst allowing the musicians to stetch out and be creative. We play a mixture of originals and covers and take our influece from the likes of Chick Corea, Dave Grusin, Dave Weckl and David Sanborn.

The first album - Is That Not What You Wanted is being mixed at the moment and should be for sale in the Spring 2007. Check out the Biogs of the guys and see all of the great gigs they are doing - my theory is if you can't play, surround yourself with people who can!!

Julian Cox
Julian Graduated from the Royal Academy of Music and has since been an in demand bass player on the London scene.

He is the regular bass player for Charlotte Church and has also worked with Daniel Bedingfield, Alison Moyet and Micheal Buble to name a few. Julian also deputises regularly on the West End production of We Will Rock You.

James Pusey
James has studied at Leeds College of Music, the University of Leeds, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has taught at Colchester Institute and Morley College, and has been a member of the visiting staff at St Paul's School since 2001.

Playing credits include Donny Osmond, Noel Sullivan (Hear'Say and Popstarts TV Winner), Mamma Mia (London West End) and performances at Ronnie Scotts, London and for BBC 1 and BBC Radio 2.

Since 1995 James has also been a student of Indian music on the sitar and currently studies under Pandit Arvind Parikh of Mumbai, India.

Matt Steele
Matt is a 31 year old keyboard player/producer, whose 12 year career in the music industry has taken him touring over the world in some of the most illustrious venues to appearances on some of the most legendary TV shows.

Having first started in studio work, Matt is as comfortable programming and sound-designing as he is performing live, and he divides his time between gigging, media music production and artist development.

As a result, his skills have enabled him to work with an unusually diverse range of artists, as both a studio-based and live performer. These include…

The Brand New Heavies
Errol Brown (Hot Chocolate)
Shazney Lewis (All saints)
Swing out sister
Cleopatra
Demis Roussos
Heather Small
Ruby Turner
Backyard Dog
Various artists as keyboard player for P.W.L. M'cr – including Lauren Waterworth and Steps
Noel Sullivan (Hearsay)
Finlay Quay
Swing Out Sister
David McAlmond

As a producer and trained orchestrator, Matt is part of the respected Jersey St. production team, who have sold over 100,000 records as writers/producers, on a range of cool underground labels such as Hed Kandi, Defected, Junior, Yellow and Naked Music. This has recently led to him working on media-based productions, including music for 2 short films on Channel 4 and projects for ITV, BBC's 1 and 2.

Elliott Henshaw
It all started for me at the age of 11 when my dad took me to see Buddy Rich. After that I was hooked!

I had my first go on a kit at 13 years old and was playing in the school big band and jazz ensemble 1 week later (I was lucky, there was no one else in the school that could even hold sticks).

I was self-taught until I was 18 years old at which point I started studying with Steve Gilbert - an amazing drummer from Manchester - at Salford University. Whilst at university I began playing in small jazz groups and function bands, and for the university big band. It was whilst playing for the latter that I got asked to join the Andy Prior Orchestra.

Whilst still at college I was touring the UK and playing on various TV/Radio shows with Andy Prior. At this time I twice won the Radio 2 Big Band drummer of the year award. I gained a lot of experience from working with Andy and made lots of contacts. During this time I was playing in as many difference ensembles as I could fit in - jazz groups, rock bands, orchestras and musicals etc.

In 2001 I toured with the muscial "Anything Goes", and then a tour with Wayne Sleep and Melanie Stace. I started deputising on West End shows in London - the first being "The Witches of Eastwick". My proudest moment to date came in June 2000 when I began deputising for Dame Shirley Bassey.

In 2002 I made the move from Manchester to London which is where I reside now. I deputised regularly on West End shows such as "The Full Monty", "Bombay Dreams", and "South Pacific", and was also the drummer for the West End run of "The Rat Pack" for 4 years. I also held the drum chair for "The Producers" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. I work regularly for various bands and artists such as: Ray Gelato, The Syd Lawrence Orchestre, BBC Big Band, The Laurie Holloway Trio, Noel Sullivan (of HearSay), Matthew Herbert, and my own band.

In 2003 I had the privilege of performing with the great Bob Mintzer from the Yellow Jackets. The list of people that Bob has worked with is like a who's who of modern music, and it was an honour to work with him.

I'm constantly trying to better myself as a drummer and musician, and trying to play in as many different types of ensemble as possible. I've also started teaching others to play the drums and am often recruited by music schools to present drumming workshops.

I have met and worked with some incredible musicians in my short career to date, and made a lot of great friends - check out my links page for more info.

I owe a lot to the support of my family - mum, dad and sister Janine for putting up with my artistic temperament when things don't go my way. And my friends both in Manchester and London. I hope you all check out this site and see the monster you have created!!

Simon Willescroft
Simon graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music and now works as a freelance saxophonist, performing and recording with many different artists including; Katie Melua, Jamie Cullum, Tony Hadley, Duran Duran, Beverley Craven, The Guillemots, Rose Royce, Zero 7, Joey Negro, Hamish Stewart(Average White Band), Peter Cox, Go West, Kyle Eastwood, The James Taylor Quartet, Sinitta, Katrina(& the Waves), Martin Fry, ABC, Noel Sullivan(Hearsay), Jane McDonald, Level 42, Zoe Birkett, Shane Richie, Vittorio Grigolo, Bob Mintzer, Snake Davis and The Laurence Cottle Big Band.

He has recorded for numerous TV/radio adverts and jingles as well as many other pop and TV sessions. Simon has taught and coached ensembles at various establishments including Chethams School of Music. He has also worked as a member of the Live Music Now scheme

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