He has been Musical Director of the very successful Durham Youth Jazz Orchestra for over 20 years and is also Musical Director of the Sunderland University Big Band.He has taught as a peripatetic brass teacher and until recently was Director of Music at a Comprehensive School, a post he held for 14 years.  He helped to form Youth Jazz Orchestra North and has run jazz courses for Jazz Action and a number of other organisations.  As a trumpet player he has worked in the theatre, television, radio, with brass ensembles, big bands and alongside many of the countries leading jazz performers. His own bands perform a wide range of music and for a variety of events.