The people behind SDYJ…
Sam Massey
Trumpet | Flugelhorn | Educator | Composer
Sam Massey is a well-regarded UK-based composer/bandleader, trumpeter and educator, hailed as a “fine trumpet player” by John Fordham of the Guardian (Mike Westbrook ‘A Bigger Show’ Review, February 2016) and has had his composition described as “absolutely breathtakingly stunning” by Matt Tancock of BBC Introducing (2022).
He has worked alongside top-class musicians from across the UK in a wide variety of genres, including:
POP
- PP Arnold (Tina Turner, Rolling Stones)
- Ocean Colour Scene
- Paul Weller
- Hannah Williams and the Affirmations
- Steve Cradock, Horace Painter, Lynval Golding (of The Specials)
- The Black Voices
JAZZ, FOLK & GOSPEL
- Mike Westbrook OBE
- Claire Martin OBE
- Clare Teal
- Matt Ford
- Eliza Carthy MBE
- Dick Pearce
- Jason Rebello
- Iain Ballamy
- Mike Lovatt
- Glenn Miller Orchestra UK
- Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra
- GBH Big Band
CLASSICAL/CHAMBER/LIBRARY MUSIC
- Superlocrian Wind Sextet
- Kokoro (Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra)
- Brass Quintet with members of the John Wilson Orchestra
- Eric Vloemans & Paul Archibald Trumpet Ensemble
- Blaze Ensemble
- Veritas Orchestra
- Phonograph Effect
- Kevin Harding
As a freelance composer, arranger and performer, he and his music has been broadcast on numerous BBC, Absolute Radio, Jazz FM and RAI Radio 3 (Italy) programmes and is found on critically acclaimed albums and tours by artists as diverse as PP Arnold, Ocean Colour Scene, Mike Westbrook, and The Simmertones.
Working with ensembles and artists across the UK & Europe, Sam has performed to sell-out crowds at venues such as:
- Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club
- The Welsh Millennium Centre
- Kings Place Hall One
- Teatro Rossini (Lugo, Italy)
- Gaz Arte (Athens, Greece)
- Various festivals including Boardmasters & Bestival
- Cheltenham Jazz Festival
- St Ives Jazz Club.
His composition, arrangement and harmony tutors include Callum Au, Nigel Wood, Dr Glyn Jenkins and Philip Harper and is showcasing his arrangement and composition skills in new six-piece classical crossover wind ensemble ‘Superlocrian’, as well as his Ensemble.
As a jazz artist, Sam is a regular member of Mike Westbrook’s “Uncommon Orchestra”, releasing their debut album ‘A Bigger Show Live’ produced by Jon Hiseman to critical acclaim in 2016, and has since featured at top jazz venues across the country. His own jazz projects include a 7-piece Ensemble featuring his own compositions and arrangements, as well as a highly renowned quartet and quintet. Sam’s jazz projects have featured at venues including Teignmouth Jazz Festival, The Bebop Club and The Future Inn, Bristol.
Sam has studied trumpet with Dean Wright (Professor of Trumpet at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama) and Brian Rance and jazz trumpet with Nick Malcolm. In addition, he has attended masterclasses with internationally acclaimed Alison Balsom, Eric Vloiemans, Crispian Steele-Perkins and Steve Waterman.
Sam has a passion for teaching and education projects are a key part of his musical life.
He is an experienced brass tutor, teaching both individually and at group level in a number of educational institutions.
As a jazz educator, he has worked with Gareth Lockrane (Junior Trinity), Mark Bassey (Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Trinity Laban Conservatoire), British Jazz Award-winning Karen Sharp, Andy Tweed (jazz tutor at Wells Cathedral School/Birmingham Conservatoire), Ed Leaker & Nick Malcolm (Wells Cathedral School Jazz Department), Jon Stokes, Tom Green, Mark Whitlam, Andy Hague and Lewis Riley, and is a founder member of South Devon Youth Jazz.
Jade Gall
Saxophonist | Flautist | Teacher | Woodwind Doubler
Jade Gall is a highly celebrated UK-based saxophonist and flautist, hailed as having a “big, strong tenor sound with a beautiful sense of melody and swing…a musician to look out for in the future” by top UK trumpeter Steve Waterman.
Experienced in jazz, classical and pop fields, she has performed alongside top-class musicians from around the world, including: Allison Adams Tucker, Claire Martin, Clare Teal, Jason Rebello and Duncan Lamont; and has featured on BBC Radio broadcasts.
A regular feature of horn sections across the UK & Europe, Jade has performed to sell-out crowds at The Welsh Millennium Centre, Glastonbury Festival and Boomtown Fair. She features as regular saxophonist of the smash-hit touring show ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ and has also played for ‘The Magic of Motown’ and ‘Soul Legends’ shows as far afield as Barcelona and Belgium.
As a classical saxophonist, Jade is a Fellow of Trinity College London (FTCL) in saxophone performance. She graduated with an MA in Music Performance from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2013 and has studied with top classical saxophonists Hannah Marcinowicz, Nigel Wood and Gerard McChrystal. A regular feature of classical music festivals around the country, she premiered Marianna Filippi’s ‘Meandering Impressions: A Love Poem’ (written for her) for tenor saxophone and piano during part of the Welsh Proms on the Lefel 1 stage.
As a jazz artist, Jade released her debut quintet album ‘Out With The Blues’ to critical acclaim in 2016, and has since performed as both bandleader and sideman at top jazz venues across the country.
Jade has a passion for sharing her musical skills and education projects are a key part of her musical life. She is an experienced woodwind tutor, teaching saxophone, flute and clarinet at a number of educational institutions and worked with South West Music School whilst studying for a BA (Hons) in Performance Practice at Dartington College of Arts.
