Andy's musical journey began at the age of six under the tuition of Lesley Milam. Ever since then he has aspired to become an accomplished professional within the music industry. 

 

An experienced jazz trumpet player and brass band cornetist, Andy has performed in a number of high profile locations. These include the Montreux Jazz Festival, The Concorde Club Southampton, Principality Stadium, Wales Millennium Centre, Symphony Hall Birmingham, Barbican Centre, Branwyn Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.

He has received a number of awards for his performance, including a special honour from Wynton Marsalis following a performance at the Barbican Centre in London during the ‘Essentially Ellington’ competition, hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center.

In addition to his playing within the classical and jazz genres, Andy is regularly involved with live music and became a staple member of Cardiff's live music scene during his time in Wales; performing in a wide range of popular venues with multiple groups. He is an in-demand session musician and has been featured regularly on BBC Radio, most recently as part of rock band ‘Johnny Cage and the Voodoo Groove’. 

 

Andy is also a published composer with a range of publishing houses. He has won a number of awards for his music including the 'Vivendi Composition Award', 'Best Student Composition' at the 2016 University Brass Band Championships of Great Britain, The Cory Band Composition Competition 2017, A4 Brass Quartet's Composition Competition 2019 and The British Trombone Society Composers Competition 2020. Andy proudly holds the position of 'Young Composer in Residence' with the world famous Black Dyke Band and is working under the mentorship of Black Dyke's Composer in Residence, Professor Philip Wilby.

As a conductor, Andy is in demand. He currently holds the position of resident Musical Director with New Forest based Hyde Band and has previously held positions, and worked as a guest professional, with a range of ensembles in both the UK and Europe. Andy has a passion for conducting and has worked alongside leading professional musicians and conductors within the music industry including Dr Robert Childs, Professor Nicholas Childs, Nigel Seaman, Philip Harper, Roger Argente, Allen Vizzutti, Edward Gregson and Ian Porthouse.

After graduating from Cardiff University as a Bachelor of Music (Hons), Andy went on to study as a Master of Music (Hons) at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He was accepted as the first student in the history of the conservatoire to study as a Brass Band Conducting student and studied under the guidance of Dr Robert Childs. Following two years of conducting the RWCMD Brass Band he graduated in July 2018 and directed the band one final time at his own graduation ceremony.