Tristan Mailliot - Course Director, Drum Tutor
Tristan has performed with many of the leading UK jazz artists including Pete King, Stan Tracey, Dave O' Higgins, John Dankworth, Alan Barnes, Bobby Wellins and Gareth Williams.
He has also backed numerous visiting American artists including Jim Hall, Fred Hersch, Art Farmer, Scott Hamilton, Bobby Shew and Larry Dunlap. He has worked extensively with singers Jackie Hicks, Tina May, Norma Winstone, Anita Wardell and Claire Martin and has appeared three times at Ronnie Scott's with Californian vocalist Jackie Ryan and at the Pizza Express with US grammy nominee Karyn Allison. His recent CD appearances include the Kate Williams trio, the Jim Watson trio and the Christian Brewer quintet. During the early 90's Tristan toured the US with the acclaimed smooth jazz guitar group Acoustic Alchemy.
He is currently drumkit tutor at Trinity College of Music and the Drum Institute London and guest tutor at the London College of Contemporary Music. He has previously taught at Drumtech London as well as participating in a series of Workshops for Jazz FM Northwest and is the founder of Loiremusic.co.uk music courses.
Anita Wardell - Course Director, Vocal Tutor
Anita is the UK 's leading exponent of bebop scat singing. She has performed in the US, Australia and throughout the UK and Europe. She has recorded three CDs on UK labels has a fourth scheduled for release this year. In 2004 she collaborated with saxophonist Ben Clatworthy on the acclaimed album “If you never come to me”. As well as keeping up a busy touring schedule, Anita teaches and lectures throughout the year at Trinity College of Music and Birmingham Conservatoire and has previously held a vocal lecturing post at Adelaide University in Australia. She runs a private teaching practice and is always much in demand due to her in depth knowledge of jazz improvisation (see anitawardell.com for further info).
Matt Skelton - Drum Tutor
Since graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in 1994 his career has encompassed a diverse range of music. He has accompanied Harry Sweets Edison, Scott Hamilton, Conte Candoli, Nick Brignola, Harry Allen ,both Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Art Farmer, Brad Mehldau and Mark Turner.
He is currently a member of Stacey Kent's musicians, and has toured extensively with Kate Williams, Alan Barnes, Damon Brown and the Pasadena Roof Orchestra. He is a specialist big band drummer occupying the drum chair for the John Wilson Orchestra and regularly appearing with the Hallé and BBC Concert Orchestras, accompanying soloists such as Maria Ewing and Claire Martin. Matt has a keen interest in vintage drum equipment and sounds and will focus on these areas during the course.