Russell Mason (Tpt.)

Russell began playing the trumpet at the age of four, inspired by the recordings of Louis Armstrong. Encouraged by a musical family, he played in a wide range of ensembles during his youth, starting his jazz career with the Pendle Jazzmen at the age of nine. Russell has played most styles of music, including playing Principal trumpet with the Lancashire Students' Symphony Orchestra, Principal cornet with the Burnley Youth Band, and playing with a vast range of local orchestras, bands, pit orchestras and big bands. With several of the above he has toured extensively in much of Europe. He completed a degree in Music and Sound Recording, graduating in 1998 at the University of Surrey. In the final year he took a specialism in Jazz performance - studying with Gerard Presencer and gaining a first for performance. He is currently studying for a PhD in sound perception (funded by the BBC) at the University of Surrey and performs jazz as a hobby. The members of the Pendle Jazzmen are pleased to welcome one of the younger generation - Colin Mason

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