| About Me
When I joined the Citizens Theatre for Youth in 1972 I formed the band and wrote music for rock musical "Real Mental". Among the cast were Alex Norton (better know for starring role in Taggart) and Bill Paterson. After which I formed my own band "Joe Cool", playing residences such as the famed Burns Howff. We worked prolifically at other rock venues - sometimes even working 9 gigs per week! In 1975 I joined Glasgow funk-rock band "Below the Belt" with harmonica player Fraser Speirs. In the late 70s worked with various bands doing sessions. Joined club/cabaret band "Goodness Me" in '79 and stayed with them for a whopping 23 years, during which time also played with Fraser Speirs' "Road Rockets" and later "Red Greens Blues Band". In the early 80s became more and more interested in classical piano, particularly late classical period to the romantics. I bought myself a Bechstein grand and took lessons from Carole Curten, lieder teacher at the R.S.M.D., who studied piano at University of California under professor Serko, himself a pupil of the great Artur Schnabel. From 1994 to 1997 was Chief Executive of City of Glasgow Philharmonic Orchestra, promoting monthly concerts at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Since which time I have taught full-time and played various jazz festivals and venues throughout the UK in partnership with guitarist Dougie Harrison. Click here to view our Jazz Guitar Duo website.
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I
played my first public gig in 1968 as an 18 year old at The Hub
youth club in Clydebank. We played the blues at subsequent
gigs, featuring numbers by Savoy Brown, Elmore James and other blues
artists. After which I joined folk-rock band "Sage", playing
the folk clubs of West Scotland.