Skip to content

Team

Musicians covering every genre of the business

Simon Bates – Saxophones Clarinet & Flute

Professor of Saxophone for the Royal Marines, Simon is a musical phenomenen, playing nearly a dozen different instruments and consumate in every style from classical to heavy rock! He has appeared and recorded with musicians including Elvis Costello, Jamie Cullum, Shane MacGowan, Lulu, Rick Wakeman, D:Ream, Chaka Khan, Emma Bunton, Seal, The Zappatistas and Peter Erskine performing everywhere from the Q.E.2. and Eiffel Tower to Ronnie Scott’s and the Albert Hall. He has been Musical Director for Rick Astley, Bette Midler and a host of others and a selection of TV credits include ‘The Parkinson Show’, ‘Johnny Vaughan Tonight’ (as Co-Musical Director) and Channel 4’s Big Breakfast. 

Dave Ital – Guitar

Dave is a consumate all-round musician who excels in every genre imaginable. This is indicated by list of artists he has played and recorded with, which speaks for itself. Here are a few of the highlights: Craig David, The Sugababes, Tom Jones, MPeople, Bryan Ferry, Rick Astley, Jason Rebello, LL.Cool J, Anita Baker, Banarama (as musical director), Liberty X, Jocelyn Brown, Mica Paris, Beverly Knight, Gary Barlow, Dina Carroll, Tom Robinson, Candi Staton, Lulu, Bobby Womack, Desree, Desmond Dekker, and Incognito. As well as appearing in stadiums and concert-halls worldwide Dave has over 100 TV credits to his name with over twenty different artists and bands! 

Dave Swift – Upright & Electric Bass

Dave Swift has been the bassist for Jools Holland’s Rhythm & Blues Orchestra for the last 15 years.  During this time he has played with hundreds of the world’s biggest names in music including Al Jarreau, George Benson, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Sting, Paul Weller, Tom Jones, BB King and hundreds of others.  Dave has also played across the globe with Jools as well as performing on his hugely popular ‘Later…with Jools Holland’ TV show to millions of viewers on BBC2, and recording several multi-platinum selling albums and DVDs with the rhythm and blues orchestra. 

Mike ‘Ozzy’ Osborne – Drums

Ozzy is one of the most gifted drummers in the world. Equally at home playing jazz, funk and pop, his versatility has led him to work with many famous names such as Natalie Cole, Freddie Mercury, Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Vanessa Williams, Sax Appeal, the Zappatistas, Woody Shaw, Andy Sheppard and Ronnie Scott. He is also one of the UK’s finest percussionists having performed with orchestras such as the Prague Symphony, BBC concert and the Royal Philharmonic. 

‘Exciting! Amazing! Awesome! Wow! – just a few of my pupils’ comments after your inspirational workshop and concert.’
Lee Hextall, director of the Lincolnshire Jazz and Rock Academy