Jon Stokes
Year of birth: 1983
I began playing the trombone at the age of 11 and became fascinated by big bands. I was subjected to old tapes of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey and whenever Syd lawrence or the BBC Big Band were on at the Cheltenham town hall you would be sure to see me there in the front row. Despite the slightly odd taste in music for a teenager I managed to get through school unscathed and moved to London where I had dreams of becoming the next Principle Trombone of the LSO.
I am not, however, the principle trombone of the LSO and I doubt I ever will be. But, I have had some great opportunities to play with fantastic bands and I even get to play in the best big band in the land! As much as I enjoy playing in different bands, shows and orchestras I am dedicated to working with Bad Ass Brass and Majestic Brass. Two very different but equally challenging brass ensembles.
I aim to keep playing the trombone as long as I can and carry on having a great time playing all sorts of music with all sorts of people. But, if for some reason I did jack it all in I think I would open my own bakery. Im slightly put off by the hours but rekon I could work around that.
NYJO not only helped give me the skills to enter the profession but also helped me buy food throughout my college days and has given me some great memories and and a great bunch of friends.
