Simon Atkins - trained at Goldsmiths’ College and is a freelance composer and performer. He works for Trinity College of Music as community musician, workshop facilitator and composer, and teaches improvisation at City Lit. College. He plays with various jazz groups.

Paul Bartholomew (M.Mus) - has musical interests “too wide for his own safety” (from Beethoven to Charlie Mingus) and has performed with artists including Sting, BB King, Barry White, Eric Clapton, Dr.John, Kylie Minogue, Lemmy (of Motorhead fame) and Chaka Khan.
As an MD he has worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Terry Riley, numerous choirs and big bands and for ten years toured with Jools Holland as Baritone Sax player and arranger. Projects in 2003/4 included The Big Band Music of Tito Puente, Music Walk by John Cage, Deconstructing Beethoven and English Music Hall. He has composed for film, TV and contemporary dance, has performed on and arranged for all the Major TV channels and runs Mbawula, a multicultural ensemble fusing South African Song and European Big Band Jazz. He has taught at every level from beginner’s workshops to post-graduate composition at Universities and Conservatoires. Aside from freelance work he teaches Arranging and Musical Direction and on the Professional Skills Programme at Trinity College Of Music.

Paul Medina Cert. Ed - became interested in jazz at an early age via his brother’s record collection. As a teenager, he played with John Mayall of Bluesbreakers fame while both were at Manchester College of Art and over the years, has performed with musicians such as Roy Williams and Digby Fairweather. For several years, Paul was MD of Stockport Schools Stagesound 2, a jazz-orientated big band who worked with Georgie Fame, Don Lusher and Ronnie Scott. While he was Head of Music at a Manchester secondary school, he ran a series of Jazz Workshops at the Hayfield Jazz Festival. Now in retirement, Paul is free to indulge his two passions: playing on the Manchester Jazz Scene (often 6 to 7 nights a week) and buying and restoring double basses.

Helen Purton - Helen is a graduate of the University of Manchester where she read music. Helen then completed a two year teaching course at the RNCM, combining performance with the study of the Dalcroze and Kodaly methods and classroom teaching. Currently a student at the Royal Academy of Music, Helen hopes to go on to combine teaching with being a violist.

Helen Fishwick - Helen studied cello at the Royal Academy of Music and at the RNCM, where she also followed a course in string teaching and Dalcroze Eurhythmics. She now combines cello teaching and string ensemble coaching with work as a freelance cellist. Helen performs regularly with the string chamber group The Devonshire Players.

Judi Kelly - graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she also attended for her Post Graduate Advanced Course in Accompaniment. Since her first love is playing for singers she has spent much of her time accompanying singing lessons, local recitals and as rehearsal pianist for Choirs and Amateur Operatic Societies. She has held that post for Hemel Hempstead Theatre Company for the last 12 years! Judi spends most of her time teaching piano privately and in Primary Schools where she also teaches Choirs and recorder.

Dave Payn - Born in Lewisham, SE London in 1963, Dave started learning the trumpet at age 11, studying at school under former Ted Heath Band member Clifford Haines, and a founder member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Richard Walton at the Royal College of Music. He 'discovered' brass bands in 1979 and along with his trumpet work, has been actively involved in brass bands ever since, as both player and conductor. In October 2004 he upped sticks from London and now resides in the beautiful Isle of Arran where he runs his own brass quintet (The Arran Brass Monkeys) and conducts the local brass band, Arran Brass. In addition to his busy musical schedule, Dave is also the advertising manager, proof reader and cryptic crossword compiler for Arran's local newspaper, The Arran Voice