Diane Hammond – Clarinet, Alto & Tenor Sax

Originally from Suffolk, Diane made the move ‘up north’ in 2007 and now calls the Northwest home. She studied Performance and Musicology at Leeds University (Goward-Evans Scholarship), University of North Texas and Royal Northern College of Music (Martyn Edwards Jazz Scholarship) and currently holds the position of Lecturer in Music Performance at Salford University. As a multi-instrumentalist, she has toured extensively across Europe and the United States and enjoys a varied solo and ensemble performance portfolio. Broadcasting highlights include BBC Radio 2, ITV, live performances on BBC Radio 3 and recordings for the NAXOS label. 

Ben Richeton – Trumpet

Ben hails from eastern France. His passion for ensemble music arose in his teens as he became section principal for the National Youth Orchestra of France, the European Youth Brass Band and the European Youth Wind Orchestra. After completing his conservatoire studies he moved to the UK to further his musical skills at the University of Salford, where he was awarded prizes in Solo Performance, Ensemble Performance and Conducting. Since graduating, Ben has enjoyed a successful career as a soloist with some of the world’s top brass bands, most notably the Black Dyke Band, with whom he recorded over 20 albums and accomplished a historic consecutive ‘triple-win’ at the British Open, National and European Championships. He now works as teacher and professional trumpeter, performing in a diverse multitude of ensembles and genres, from classical, pop, jazz and musical theatre. He has performed in some of the world’s finest UK concert venues, including the Royal Albert Hall and Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival as well as extensively across Europe, Japan and New York City.

Duncan Winfield – Trombone

Duncan’s early career began with the highly successful Kennedy’s Swinton Concert Brass. Having been crowned British Open Solo Trombone Champion in 1989, Duncan embarked on following his passion for Jazz Trombone. He began with session work for the BBC and in the 1990’s toured around the UK with Andy Prior and the Night Owls, performing on their CD and TV recordings. Following this he appeared regularly with many of the ‘then’ current leading North-West Big Bands and ensembles including Amazonia, Oscar Bernhardt, Dave Hassell’s Apitos, Big ‘Un and Wigan Youth and Wigan Jazz Club Big Bands. International tours included France, Germany, Russia, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Israel, Brazil and America. Duncan currently performs with the Swingtime Big Band, Phil Shotton Big Band, Ron Hayes Big Band, West Coast Jazz Octet and various Mark Gilbanks ensembles. He also continues to be a regular guest soloist at jazz venues throughout Greater Manchester and the North-West. Studying at Salford College of Technology (Salford University), he attained an ACDBM, GDBM and an MA in Performance and has been the Music Events Manager for over three decades.

Robin Dewhurst – Piano

Robin Dewhurst has been a professional musician for over forty years and has played in a wide range of styles and settings including session work for BBC ensembles led by Goff Richards and Tony Harrison, recording projects and live concerts with Don Lusher, Kenny Baker, James Morrison and Black Dyke Brass Band, Paul Young, Lisa Stansfield, Neil Yates and Blossoms. He has featured at many jazz festivals with Lunetta Dean, film and TV composition and arranging with the Halle Orchestra and BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, music associate work with Bill Connor, Granada TV, BBC Films and Channel 4. A former Honorary Music Advisor to HM Royal Marines, Robin recently performed with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra as well as appearing regularly with the Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble. Robin is a Reader in Music and is currently Subject Group Head of Music at the University of Salford where he has been teaching since 1988. 

Dan Price – Tuba, Bass Sax & Leader

During the 1990’s Dan established himself as a semi-professional bass player on the Midland’s jazz circuit, performing regularly with the likes of Norman Field, Bob Hunt, Tom ‘Spats’ Langham, Nick Ward, the Gents of Jazz, Eureka Jazz Band and also the Pasadena Roof Orchestra. From 2002 he spent the following 20 years forging a career as a professional composer and arranger, specialising in Brass and Concert Band music. In this field he has become an internationally recognised composer working with Cory Band, Black Dyke Band, Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Jaren Musikkforening (Norway), Nelson City Brass Band (New Zealand), and River City Brass (United States) amongst others. Dan’s work has been performed in some of the world’s leading venues including Carnegie Hall, Grieghallen, KKL Luzern, Royal Albert Hall, Saitama Culture Center Tokyo and the Sydney Opera House. Since 2012 he has worked at the University of Salford as Lecturer in Music and after a hiatus of 20 years has now returned to his roots, performing early jazz.

James Wilson – Grand Percussion Kit

James has been a professional musician for 27 years, and is currently finishing his studies at the University of Salford on a Masters degree majoring in Musical Composition. James started his musical career studying under classical percussionist Irene Molin as well as within the exciting brass band culture of the UK, playing with some of the countries leading bands. At the age of 21 he embarked on a career as a session musician, playing drums and percussion for radio and TV jingles initially which later led onto accompanying visiting artists from around the world on UK arena and theatre tours. He has worked with The Three Degrees, The Drifters, and Rick Wakeman at venues such as the O2 London, Band On The Wall, Royal Albert Hall, Tivoli Gardens and Birmingham’s NIA and NEC. James has also recorded in some of the UK’s most acclaimed recording facilities, including Abbey Road, Soho Gracieland, BBC London and BBC Manchester. In addition to performing James has also composed and arranged for various media forms and ensembles. He is an avid snooker player, and a struggling chess enthusiast – if anyone fancies a challenge?