Upon leaving school Gordon joined the world renowned Royal Marines Band Service. After only 5 months he won the prestigious Silver Medal for performance, awarded by the Worshipful Company of Musicians in the Cassel Prize competition.

Gordon has recently retired from the Band Service. His career saw him travel the globe performing in some of the world’s most famous venues, many times as a soloist.

Born in Torpoint in 1952 and a professional musician since 1977, Marius was originally a brass player but changed to reeds due to lip problems. Flute soon followed with clarinet coming in from 1990 due to necessary doubles.

He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama from 1983-84 with Lionel Grigson, Dave Watts and Scott Stroman, attaining an Advanced Certificate in Jazz and Popular Music.

Neil studied at the Royal College of Music.

Since moving to Devon in 2001 Neil has become an established musician on the Southwest jazz circuit performing regularly on soprano, alto and tenor saxes and clarinet.

Neil plays with a number of groups throughout the region and also runs a number of bands including the Drat Pack and his own much critically acclaimed quartet 'The Neil Maya Quartet'.

Having studied as a chorister and classical flautist playing around the world and winning National Festival of Youth Music, Chris was gigging regularly from 13 years old in Kent orchestras and music societies and busking in the south east.

He took up the saxophone at 19 years old on joining the Royal Marines Band Service and won the prestigious Cassel prize Bronze Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians.

Dave spent 28 years with the Royal Marines Band Service and played principle clarinet with the major staff bands.

He has performed in some of the most prestigious venues around the world.

Since retiring Dave has been a teacher and free-lance player and is delighted to be playing with the big band.

Gavin has been a professional musician for over 40 years.

He has toured and recorded with Dame Shirley Bassey, Petula Clark, Jane McDonald, Jack Jones, Matt Monro, Cliff Richard, Bon Jovi, Phil Collins, George Harrison, BBC Radio Orchestra and Big Band, Birmingham Royal Ballet. He was a founder member of The Echoes of Ellington Orchestra and spent 5 years with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra.

Based in Exeter, Graham performs professionally across the country with bands such as the Ray McVay Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Back to Bacharach tour, whilst performing more locally with AJ’s Big Band and the Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra.

Having been a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Graham is now conductor of the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra which has performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival and at the Royal Albert Hall.

Robin works in a diverse range of musical styles and ensembles. As a freelance musician, he has played on a wide variety of sessions, touring shows, soundtracks and TV work and is at home equally as a lead or section player.

Robin studied classical trumpet with Philippe Schartz and Tim Carleston and, whilst obtaining a degree in Jazz from the University of Plymouth in 2010, studied Commercial and Jazz Trumpet with Noel Langley and Steve Waterman.

Mike first started played jazz in the early eighties with the Devon Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Whilst at University in London he played with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the City Lit Big Band under the direction of Kathy Stobart.

Since returning to Devon, Mike has played with numerous bands and has performed at the London Jazz Festival and at Ronnie Scott's with Mike Westbrook.

Les auditioned and was accepted for the Royal Marines School of Music at the age of 15 where he spent 3 years training and learning to perform in concert band, orchestra, marching band, big band and smaller ensemble settings.

During this time he had the opportunity to watch and meet such big band greats as Buddy Rich and Stan Kenton where Les’ love for Big Band music was set.

Originally from Glasgow, Ken has held the Bass Trombone chair in a range of big bands, brass bands and orchestras across the UK, performing in many top venues including the Royal Albert Hall.

He has recorded on a number of TV and Radio programmes together with various CDs including recently a double album with the Mike Westbrook Uncommon Orchestra.

Gav studied to play the piano from an early age, passing all classical grades on piano and was introduced to trad jazz by his very supportive father.

Gav then joined the Royal Marines Band Service serving 27 years and retiring as a Warrant Officer Bandmaster First Class.

He plays on the jazz circuit and is currently the pianist for the Martin Dale Quartet and is also vocalist in his own successful function band.

Born and bred in the South West to a musical family, Liam completed his undergraduate music degree at Plymouth University in 2017 with first class honours, and qualified as a secondary school music teacher in 2018.

Liam continues to develop as a musician in the local area playing alongside other DHBB members and has also played freelance with musicians such as Martin Dale, the Carlton Big Band and the Co-Operative Big Band.

At the age of 16 Andy joined the Royal Marines Band Service. He took a keen interest in playing big band music from the start which continues to this day. He has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, Plymouth Theatre Royal and Wembley to name but a few.

Towards the end of his service career he was the Percussion Instructor in the RMBS and continued teaching when he left the service in 1997.

Bern is one of the most accomplished and sought after big band/session singers around.

His singing career started with a performance in the Royal Albert Hall at the age of 16. From there Bern went on to work for organisations such as the Top Rank Organisation and Associated Television (ATV). He has also been employed as a mentor to vocal contestants on several National TV talent contests.