Born Castle Bromwich 1956. Studied clarinet at school achieving Grade VIII. Became an Army musician on leaving school and first came into contact with the more creative aspects of composition and arranging at the Army School of Music - Kneller Hall. By the time of leaving Army service had risen to the giddy heights of first clarinet. As a civilian studied composition with, firstly, Christopher Roe of the Royal Academy and later with Andrew Downes at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

Initial 'success' in composition came after being awarded first place in the Grantham Music Festival for 'Concerto Grosso'. Later went on to achieve the Cornelius Cardew Memorial Prize for 'Three Short Pieces' for Xylophone and Piano (published by Lynwood Music) and the Midland Institute Prize for a Song Cycle based on three of Thomas Hardy's poems. Withdrew from writing for a few years due to health problems, a desire to reappraise his musical style and a general dissatisfaction with contemporary music.

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