Multi-instrumentalist/vocalist with an emphasis on trumpet. I play both trumpet and acoustic guitar, in addition to singing backing vocals if needed.
More specifically:
TRUMPET - Performance and Recording
1. Performance (London)
2015-present: Principal trumpet with the Amati Orchestra (London). Regular performances at St. Johns Smith Square, Holy Trinity Sloane Square, St. James (Sussex Gardens)
2015-present: Occasionally play principal or 2nd with the I Maestri Orchestra, Ernest Read Symphony Orchestra, London City Philharmonic, Pigotts Music Camp
2014-2016: Principal trumpet with Collaborative Orchestra, Chamber Academy Orchestra.
I’ve also depped on principal trumpet for the Hertford Symphony Orchestra, Corinthian Orchestra, Watford Symphony Orchestra, and de Havilland Philharmonic Orchestra (usually not principal).
- 2015-2017: Performed with Sunday Assembly band for 500-1500 people at Wilderness Festival (2015, 2016) and "Yule Rock" Xmas 2015 (Union Chapel), 2016 (Central Methodist Hall).
- 2016-17: Performed in and around London with gypsy/mariachi/punk band Tiger Moth.
2. TV/Video
- 2016-17: Appeared with Collaborative Orchestra on "Britain's Got Talent" auditions and semi-finals in May 2016, "8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown" (Channel 4), and "It's Showtime" (TV show in Munich, Germany).
- 2017: Appeared as trumpet player in Clean Bandit video for pop hit "Symphony" (Royal Festival Hall).
- 2015: Appeared as trumpet player in video for independent-label band "New Volume" (London, UK).
3. Recording
- 2018: Composed and recorded jazz-oriented trumpet parts on three tracks for an indie rock band at Sausage Studios, London.
- 2015: co-arranged (by ear) and recorded trumpet parts on two tracks for band Noise Cavalry at Vanguard Studios, London. FEEDBACK: "Your enthusiasm, professionalism and talent exceeded my expectations and the horn section already sounds fantastic, even before mixing."
- 2015: co-arranged (by ear) and recorded trumpet parts on two tracks for a Norwegian singer/songwriter Lars Kolsberg at Reservoir Studios, London.
- 2015: advised on, and recorded trumpet for, a commercial R&B/soul project for a Nashville songwriter living in London (Billy Crabbe). FEEDBACK: "Thank you for the feedback and the tips on the horn line! It's truly appreciated." "Just wanted to thank you again! I really appreciate the time and input you guys put into the horn lines. It was a great experience....hopefully we get to work together soon!"
- 2015: Recorded at Universal Studios with London-based soul/motown/pop project JukeJaxon. Also performed live (London) and advised on horn-part arranging.
- 2015: Co-arranged (by ear) and recorded trumpet parts for the soundtrack to long-running German TV Series "München 7" at a studio in East London. ("That's just the way I dreamed it!" -- producer)
4. Got a lead sheet? I can read and write music and am a very good sight reader.
5. Don't have a lead sheet? I have an excellent ear for harmony and can improvise riffs and harmonies on the fly for myself as well as the rest of the horn section -- and then can lead your horn section in nailing down precise voicing, phrasing and dynamics. (I'm a former arranger for, and director of, a cappella groups.)
ACOUSTIC GUITAR (performing as Chris Alastair (middle name)
1. I am a former professional acoustic guitarist/singer/songwriter/arranger from New York and Washington, DC. I recorded two albums, singing lead and backing vocals on both. In the U.S., one of my songs won a national songwriting award sponsored by ASCAP and the National Academy of Popular Music (NAPM) . I also won First Prize in the Alt. Rock category of the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, the nation's 3rd largest; and was twice nominated for a Washingon DC-area "Wammie" award for Best Male Vocalist, Alternative Rock. Songs available on all major digital music wbsites.
2. Main instrument: six-string Takamine cutaway guitar with onboard parametric EQ -- has an excellent, clear sound with massive bass if needed.
3. Perform with a Digitech intelligent voice harmonizer -- giving the impression of one or two simultaneous backing vocals.
STAGE PRESENCE
I've got a cool but energetic stage presence and can be more or less "active" as you prefer. Happy to dress the part - from suits and trilby (ska) to jeans and T-shirts (indie) to dinner jackets (classical) to the open-neck-shirt thing (DJ).
