who's in the band

Phil Shotton - Musical Director

Having graduated from Liverpool Hope University with a first class honours degree in music and music technology Phil now combines a demanding teaching schedule with his work as a freelance musician and jazz educator.

Phil has been directing Swingshift since its first conception and has had a lifelong interest in Jazz and Big Band music, having been playing since the age of six! Phil started playing Clarinet and joined his first band at the age of eight, later taking up saxes and flute when he was ten years old. During his music degree in which he majored in performance on Clarinet he studied with Andy Roberts from the WNO. Due to this sound education Phil is confident and feels at home playing in either jazz or classical styles and is in demand as a performer from big bands to small ensembles to theatre pit orchestras. Phil is involved in many different ensembles in varying styles and genres and often guests with other bands and local orchestras.

Phil was trained to conduct at the RBL College Tidworth, where he studied conducting with David Cole and Ted Whealing. He now often tutors on wind orchestra conducting courses and is musical director and principal conductor of the Maghull Wind Orchestra. Phil is the ensemble director for Sefton Schools Jazz ensemble, and also works for Sefton Schools Music Service directing many ensembles and teaching.

Phil has a particular passion for Saxophone Quartets and often plays with a quartet made up of Swingshift saxes in which he plays Soprano Sax, this year Phil will be working on a new project for seven piece Saxophone ensemble - Saxophobia! - Watch Out!

Phil enjoys long tenor solos (mainly his own!!) and drinking Guinness, but not usually at the same time!

Karoline

Karoline's bio will appear here...

Pete Lammymann

Pete is the oldest member of the Band (by a few decades) but spent most of his life as a Mining and Explosives Engineer (B.Eng. C.Eng. Fellow of the Institute of Mining Engineers) finally retiring early from the post of Export Manager ICI Nobels Explosive Co. in 1994. At this point he decided to pursue an interest in music which had been developing over the years.

After 2 years at Liverpool Community College (Jazz and Commercial Music Course) and a further 1 year at Liverpool University, and armed with an MA in Popular Music Studies and an LTCL (Teaching Diploma-Clarinet) he found himself, almost by accident, as Director of Music at Tower College Rainhill (A small independent school teaching through to GCSE level.

He left this appointment after 6 years to take up a 6 month contract With Royal Caribbean to play Lead Alto Saxophone and Clarinet in a Cruise Ship Theatre Orchestra cruising the Caribbean, Hawaian Islands and Alaska, and having the chance to play with acts such as The Osmonds.

Happily, and unexpectedly he was invited to resume his job at Tower College after the contract ended until he retired in 2003. Since then he has worked in both private and Council Schools as a peripatetic teacher of Sax, clarinet and flute. In addition to playing lead Alto Sax with Swingshift he plays Lead Tenor with the Merseyside Big Band. He also plays in Sax Quartets, small jazz ensembles and Theatre Orchestras when the opportunity arises.

Hannah Horne

Hannah began her musical career at the age of eight when she took up the cello. By the time she turned 12 she was principal cellist of the Lincolnshire youth Orchestra having passed her grade 8 ABRSM examination in Cello performance.

At the age of 15 Hannah began playing the flute and gained her diploma in flute performance at the age of 18. Soon after the saxophone followed!

Moving to Liverpool in 2000 to complete a music and sport degree at Liverpool Hope University she met various musicians who where later to become members of the Swingshift Bigband...

One of these musicians was Phil Shotton who sparked her interest in jazz and big band music, and perhaps other things as they are now engaged and have been together since early 2002!

After graduating and completing a PGCE teaching course Hannah is now a Music teacher at Deyes High School in Maghull as well as an active performer in various ensembles.

Trevor Hacon

Trevor has been around quite a while, being one of the founder members of the band since the idea was first discussed along with Phil and a handful of others, one evening many years ago in a smoky Maghull bar.

Initially playing tenor sax, Trevor has only been playing the baritone for a few years. He started playing clarinet at the age of 11, first picking up a saxophone a couple of months before leaving school.

As an amateur musician, Trevor has played in several other small bands and quartets but mainly enjoys gigging with a nine-piece soul/party band along with Matt on guitar.

Trevor's full-time profession is as a Chartered Civil Engineer (B.Eng.(Hons) C.Eng. MICE). For the last 18 years he has been moving around the country designing and constructing new buildings, motorways, and water treatment plants for major construction companies.

Originally born on Dartmoor in Devon, he left the countryside and went to university and lived in London for 6 years. Trevor was then sent by his company to build projects in the North West, where he ended up living. He now works as a consultant for large clients investing in construction schemes.

Jez Murphy

Jez says that playing trombone is like making love to a beautiful woman... whatever you say swiss ;)

Chris Horswood

Chris comes from a very musical family and started playing piano, trumpet and percussion when he was 6 years old. He was a member of various bands including Sefton Youth Brass Band, Sefton Youth Percussion Group and Sefton Youth Choir. He was also a member of the Boys Brigade and played in the joint Boys Brigade/Girls Brigade marching band.

Chris started playing big band music when he joined the Sefton Youth Jazz Orchestra in 1999 where he played the vibraphone moving onto trombone a year later. Chris met Phil at KGV College, joining Swingshift in September 2001. He also plays trombone in the Maghull Royal British Legion Town Band.

Chris graduated from University in 2004 with a 2:2 in BSc (Hons) Media Technology and Computing, and he now works as an Estimator for a local engineering company.

Although Chris has a great passion for music, he also has several other interests including cooking, model making, salsa dancing and his biggest obsession - all things sci-fi, especially Star Trek. Live Long and Prosper.

Alistair Moss

Alistair stepped into the breach when former member James Sills left to discover africa and has fitted in well to maintain the high standards of the Swingshift trombone section.

Alex Fossi

Alex plays bass trombone in Swingshift and props up the trombone section, and occaionally the bar. He has been playing tenor trombone from the age of 8, alto trombone for three years and bass only since he joined the band in September.

He used to play in a ska band called the "Honey Shop Screamers" and has also played 1st trombone in the University of Liverpool Symphony Orchestra, University of Liverpool Big Band, Cheshire Youth Orchestra, Cheshire Youth Brass Band and Roberts Bakery Brass Band to name but a few.

Alex is currently avoiding the world of work for another 3 years as he studys for his PhD at Manchester University Materials Performance Centre. Before that he graduated from the University of Liverpool with a 2:i MEng in Mechanical Engineering.

Outside of music and academia Alex enjoys fiddling with classic cars, mainly SAABs, Minis and Land Rovers and careering around Europe in bangers. He is also a keen Downhill/North Shore mountainbiker and in an effort to get fit, a bit of cross-country too.

Cliff Ray

Cliff started playing cornet at the age of ten with a local brass band, but after a couple of years was introduced to the trumpet after listening to many of his dads jazz records - his love of jazz and big band music was born.

Over the years he has had many influences, including Al Hirt and Doc Severensen (his dads favourites), but his main influence has been London session musician and trumpet great Derek Watkins. Cliff would dearly love to meet his inspiration because as far as he is concerned Derek is the governor!...

Having been inspired by Derek's playing for over 20 years, his influence is evident on the Swingshift recording of MacArthur Park which features Cliff on flugel horn and trumpet - 'if Derek ever hears it I hope he won't be too upset' jokes Cliff.

Cliff plays a Yamaha custom trumpet and flugel horn supplied by that great music establishment the Music Cellar in Preston, for which Cliff would like to thank John Bennett for all his help and assistance over the years.

Cliff has been lead trumpet with the Swingshift Bigband for the last 3 years and is keen to see the band go from strength to strength, he believes that if something is worth doing it's worth doing well!

Anna Spence

She can play nearly as high as Cliff, which is not bad for a girl...

Jenny Byrne

Jen plays second trumpet and has been a member of the band for about five years. Although she finds the part challenging on occasion, she enjoys the experience and enjoys playing alongside such a fine group of musicians and friends.

Jen started playing the trumpet at the age of eight and throughout her school years has played with and directed many musical groups. Her main aspirations as a musician stemmed from the encouragement of her primary school Headteacher.

At the age of eleven she joined the Sefton Youth Jazz Orchestra and worked her way through the ranks to eventually lead the trumpet section by the age of fifteen. She was a member of SYJO for a total of seven years. During her secondary education she also joined the Sefton Youth Wind Orchestra, Guitar Group and Youth Orchestra.

Jen also started playing guitar in secondary school and encouraged other friends to learn to play. During Year 10 and 11 at she formed a band with two other girls and named themselves 'Anjelic'. The band entered the Music For Youth Competition and at the regional final, held at Manchester's Royal Northern Centre of Music, they won their category achieving an 'Outstanding Performance Award'. The band were subsequently approached and encouraged to make a music video and record some of their original compositions. Although Jen never made it as a famous pop star, she likes to reflect on occasion, about how close she was to stardom...

Whilst studying A-level Music at sixth form college Jen directed and formed two musical groups. A soul band and a small ensemble group called 'Spilt Milk'. One member of the band was the infamous Phil Shotton who played Tenor Sax and piano for the group. 'Spilt Milk' entered the Music For Youth competition and were invited to play on London's South Bank at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

Jen continued her education, reading Music with Health Studies at Liverpool Hope University were she gained a 2:1 degree. After three years of studying Jen decided to complete a PGCE in secondary education at Liverpool Hope University specialising in Music. She now works as a secondary school music teacher and very much enjoys passing on her knowledge and love of music to the youth of today whilst also bragging about how she very nearly made it as a pop star!!

Andy Shotton

Andy started his musical life 30yrs ago briefly on drums, before turning to the trumpet at age 10.

His early musical experiences included his mum, Doreen [percussion and later tuba], dad, Greg [saxophone] and older brother Steve [clarinet], whom he played with in a series of concert bands, brass bands, big bands and ensembles, also later, with the encouragement of Cliff Ray, a number of shows in local Southport theatres.

Phil Shotton [his very own brother] came along when Andy was 16, and it wasn't long before his musical talent was recognised. Phils enthusiasm dragged him out of semi-retirement when he invited him to join Swingshift several years ago.

He thoroughly enjoys being part of the big band sound once again and says that the band is going from strength to strength. Andy believes Phil has a knack of getting the best out of the band, whilst also creating a friendly, hard working group of people with whom he has the privelege of playing.

Andy has three children [all girls] and a very understanding wife, and says its great to be out and about with this very rewarding swingband!

When not blowing his trumpet Andy also enjoys riding his Harley Davidson, fitness training, music, reading, travel, red wine and Stella!

Andy is currently seeking a gay friend for intellectual conversation, sharing ideas and maybe more...

Trevor Banks

Trevor has been playing the trumpet since the age of 11, which amounts to a lot of blowing one’s own horn!

Over the years, he has gained valuable experience performing with many soul, tribute and big bands as well as performing solo. He currently enjoys playing in Swingshift and in his own band, The Bounty Hunters.

Trevor recently graduated from university with a 2-1 in music and a prize for best musical performance, having has also completed a PGCE teaching course is currently working part-time for the local council, teaching brass to primary aged children. For the rest of his time he works for local solicitor, Maxwell Hodge, as an accident site inspector.

He finds one of the most enjoyable aspects of playing the trumpet is watching the audience appreciate the hard work and talent of the musicians on stage. Trevor says it's the audience who make performing worth while and hopes you have enjoyed reading this short biography. Catch him on stage - Trevor is the good looking one on the end of the trumpet section!

Tom Sykes

Tom was born in Huddersfield and started violin and piano lessons at an early age. After developing a childhood interest in jazz, he went to study it at degree level at Leeds College of Music, where he achieved a First. Tom then went to work in Granada, Spain for a year before doing a PGCE.

As a qualified teacher, in 1993 he moved to the Southport area to work for Sefton Music Service as a peripatetic violin teacher, and also became involved in Sefton's jazz programme, directing the Sefton Youth Jazz Workshop until July 2005.

In 1998 Tom started teaching at Liverpool Community College, where he still teaches on a variety of music courses and is responsible for the HND in Music Performance. He recently completed a Master's Degree, with the Open University, which he passed with Distinction.

Matt McGrory

Matt started his musical life as a trombonist, way back in primary school. In high school he met Phil when they played in various bands together including the Sefton Youth Jazz Orchestra. It was here that he also met several other dubious characters who have now taken up residency in Swingshift. Matt started gigging around Liverpool and the northwest area at the age of about sixteen, leading him on to play with bands such as Jools Hollands Rhythm and Blue Orchestra and Harry Connick Jnrs' Big Band.

Following an injury which forced Matt to stop playing trombone, he made the switch to all things fretted. Matt plays in many different ensembles and different styles ranging from jazz, blues and rock through to soul, folk and acoustic fingerstyles. His musical influences are wide and include Martin Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, Bert Jansch, Eric Clapton, Django Reinheart to name just a few.

In his spare time Matt enjoys tinkering with his now, some say quite extensive collection of instruments, (the pickups off this guitar on the body of that one??) reading and socialising with friends over a bottle or three of red.

Jez "two sheds" Finch

Jez has been playing drums with Swingshift since 2002, and says that being involved with this band has been the most rewarding experience in his playing career. From early teens his drum heroes have been Buddy Rich, Kenny Clare, Steve Gadd and Billy Cobham. A varied selection but all deeply rooted in jazz and fusion.

In his early 20's Jez played with various show bands up and down the country, with a few tours to Europe thrown in for good measure. Great times but no security and little money and so Civy Street beckoned!

Although big band music had always been a major influence in his life with regard to listening and watching the great performers in concert, he never ever dreamed that he would actually get the chance to play in one!

Jez is very proud to be part of something which gives so much pleasure to those of you who come to watch us and thanks you for your support.

ps did we mention he has two sheds?

John Watkinson

John has been playing bass for over 15 years and during the last seven has brought his own unique blend of muscianship, drive and consistency to the Swingshift rhythm section.

His musical experiences cover a wide range of playing styles on both bass guitar and bass trombone, from symphony orchestra's to ska bands, big bands to pit bands and everything inbetween.

John plays a custom built Overwater fretless five (thanks to Laurence, Chris and the guys up in Carlise for a super job).

A designer by profession and graduate of Falmouth College of Arts (2:1 BA Hons in Graphic Design), he has also taken on the responsibility for the graphical direction of the band, including the production of promotional material, the design and build of the website and the CD album artwork.

John likes nothing better than to lay down a solid foundation for the rest of the band to build on and the odd pint of the black stuff...