Alan was brought up in t’ frozen North, so as well as breeding t' racing pigeons and training t' whippets, it was only natural for him to start playing t' cornet at the age of 11. Much brass banding ensued, travelling all over the country appearing in concerts, competitions and on local radio.

During this time Alan was given a battered Dansette record player and a carrier bag full of old 45’s: the music was a revelation, classic singles by Stax/Motown stars like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding. A lifelong love of funk and soul music began.

These days Alan spends most of his time playing trumpet, although when he feels wistful he has been known to whip out his flugel horn unexpectedly.

Alan has been playing with SOULSIDE for 6 years and in that time has been privileged to work with a number of musical hero’s in many fantastic venues.

Alan uses a Yamaha Xeno YTR83356 Trumpet, usually blowing a Vincent Bach 10.5 DW piece.
The flugel is a Sterling and the cornet is by Boosey and Hawkes.  Alan has many mutes by many manufacturers, but his favourite is the Harmon in black anodised copper made in Japan by Best Brass.