The Isle of Man is fortunate to have some fine Improvising Musicians. Below are just some of those who are actively involved in the local music scene...
Jon Sanders
Jon has performed live music since 1994, starting on Bass Guitar and more recently Saxophone and Electric Guitar. A completely self-taught musician, he has been exposed to a wide variety of music, including Classical, Fusion, Jazz, Latin, Funk, Folk, Rock, Soul and Ska. At an early stage in his development he became attracted to the freedom of Improvised Music, and has since appeared on several recordings in this idiom. Jon composes original music in many genres, which has included a Saxophone Prelude and a Symphony dedicated to Gustav Holst. He has also taught various instruments and has led educational forums specialising in Improvised Music.
Influences: The musicians of Weather Report; Carlos Santana; Anthony Braxton; Jimmy Johnson; Andy Sheppard; Jimi Hendrix; Allan Holdsworth; Chad Wackerman; Mike Stern; Jaco Pastorius; Gustav Holst; Pat Metheny; John Coltrane; Miles Davis; Elvis Presley; Frank Zappa; Jan Garbarek; John Scofield; Frank Morgan; Joe Satriani; Ike Quebec; Mark King; Jean Luc Ponty; Art Tatum; The Six Brown Brothers; Hyacinth Klose; John Barry; John Williams; All musicians he has played with and has had the pleasure to watch or listen to.
Instruments: Bass Guitar; Saxophone; Electric Guitar; Irish Whistles; (and (extremely) occasionally...) Ocarina; Recorder; Clarinet.
Member of: The Registry of Guitar Tutors; The Musicians Union.
Contact: jonsanders@manx.net
Website Link: Quality Music Tuition
Steve Carrins
Steve Carrins relocated to the Isle of Man some years ago after spending all his working life in professional music. He has performed with some of the best musicians on the North West of England club circuit, and has played in Blackpool shows. He is currently working primarily as a composer of New Age Music, blending synthesised sounds with acoustic instruments in a studio setting. Steve has been an excellent composer and arranger for many years, and has also appeared on many recordings as diverse as Church Organ and Choral to Rock, Jazz, Improvised and World musics. Steve is a very melodic Improviser and is easily able to blend many idioms in his performances.
Influences: Thjis Van Leer; Tim Wheater; Joe Zawinul; Cole Porter; Cesar Franck.
Instruments: Piano; Synthesisers; Flutes; Guitar.
Contact: jonsanders@manx.net
Roger Leece
A top-class Drummer and Percussionist with many years experience on a professional level. Roger is highly respected throughout the Isle of Man for his musicianship, and is the 'first-call' Drummer on many projects.
He spent the 1980s and 1990s in London and Europe, touring with The Government (an original Funk band) and the Jaggernauts (Peter Jagger's Blues and Folk outfit). Since then he has played on the Island with Still Crazy, Strange But True, The Mollag Band and Pigs on the Wing. Roger has also been active in various Improvising setups, and continues to push forward his exemplary percussion work in many settings.
Influences: Frank Zappa, Dennis Chambers, to name but a few...!
Instruments: Drums, Percussion, Bass Guitar.
Contact: thug@manx.net
George Hughes
George Hughes has been the mainstay of countless bands on the Isle of Man over the past 30 years, with his superb guitar work and soloing highly-respected amongst local musicians. He has played with Christine Collister, Strange But True and Still Crazy to name but a few...!
Influences: Too numerous to mention!
Instruments: Guitars.
Contact: jonsanders@manx.net
Anglin Buttimore
Anglin Buttimore's superb keyboard and piano work has been prevailant on the Isle of Man for many years. His excellent musicianship has touched many idioms, making him one of the most respected musicians on the current local music scene...
Influences: Too many to list!
Instruments: Piano; Synthesisers; Bass.
Contact: jonsanders@manx.net
Mike Seed
Mike blends Folk, Country, Blues and Free Music/Jazz into a music which has his own unique stamp. He works in many idioms, including Improvised and compositional. He has released numerous recordings under his own name, and is involved in the creation of music with many other Isle of Man musicians. Mike is extremely flexible in his composing style, and often his pieces are created by discarding the traditional 'song structure'.
Influences: Major jaw-dropping moment was listening to 'The End' by The Doors with bleed over from Manx Radio's 'Time for Brass' when I was 12. It was the most psychedelic thing ever. Let's hear it for badly tuned-in radios, especially those droney noises down the far end; John Coltrane; Albert Ayler; Dinosaur Jr.; Scott Walker; Current 93; Trout Mask Replica; King Tubby; King Crimson.
Instruments: Acoustic and Electric Guitars; Drums; Autoharp; Harmonium; Synthesisers; Percussion; Vocals.
Contact: medium.asleep@talk21.com