Biography
Job title: Senior Lecturer: Jazz
Courses taught: BA (Hons) Music (Jazz)
Specialisms: double bass, bass guitar
Garry began studying double bass at the age of eight, starting bass guitar at 14. He moved north in 1997 to study at Leeds Conservatoire and was awarded the Fred and Ethel Tolsen Memorial prize for strings. Shortly after in 2001 he was offered a teaching position at Leeds Conservatoire, where he has been a faculty member ever since.
Garry has worked and taught in a variety of styles, having lectured in double bass and bass guitar, theory, aural and led numerous ensemble classes. He has led workshops and master classes throughout the UK and has also taught for the University of Leeds and Leeds Young Musicians. Garry has taught within most areas of Leeds Conservatoire’s varied curriculums, throughout his years as a staff member.
In 1996 he was awarded a bursary from The Michael Tippett Musical Foundation. He used this bursary to study with world renowned bassist Herbie Flowers (David Bowie, Lou Reed, T Rex, George Harrison).
Garry performs regularly with many of his colleagues at Leeds Conservatoire alongside having a busy performance schedule, working with national and international artists including, Howard Alden - Guitar, Alan Barnes – Saxophone, Jonathan Gee - Piano, Herb Geller - Saxophone, Jeanne Gies - Vocalist, Guthrie Govan - Guitar, John Horler - Piano, Julian Joseph – Pianist & Broadcaster, Peter King - Saxophonist, Tina May - Vocalist, Jim Mullen - Guitar, Mark Nightingale - Trombone, Dave Newton - Piano, Dave O Higgins - Saxophone, Gary Potter - Guitar, Don Rendell -Saxophone, Perico Sambeat – Saxophone, Martin Shaw - Trumpet, John Surman - Saxophone, Bobby Wellins –Saxophone, Roy Williams - Trombone.
Garry is currently the bassist for fusion guitarist Tom Quayle, having recorded a selection of unique video backing tracks with fellow Leeds Conservatoire tutor Dave Walsh.
He has recorded albums with Leeds Conservatoire tutors Jamil Sheriff (Jamil Sheriff Big Band) and Jamie Taylor (Java and Outside Line), alongside an ever growing discography. Garry also works as the bassist for The Al Wood 9, James Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Svarc Trio, Sam Dunn Trio, as well as countless other projects.
He has appeared at numerous music festivals including Glastonbury, Leeds/Reading Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, Hull Jazz Festival, Cleethorpes Jazz Festival, Marsden Jazz Festival, Scarborough Jazz Festival
Leeds Big City Jazz Festival. He also appeared on the Emmerdale Christmas Special 2008 and in series 7 of ITV’s The Royal.
