Nigel Stephens

Hi - apologies for long story!

I have an eclectic taste in music from classical to jazz, latin and pop/rock to funk. I started out on violin whilst at school in the 1960's, learning by ear & not really taking it seriously but still capable of playing in the orchestra. After leaving school I moved to Scotland & played country music in pubs/hotels with other musicians but it wasn't really my scene. Unfortunately, at one event in Inverness in 1975, I knocked my violin off the stage & it smashed - it remained in pieces until 1984 when I had it repaired after moving to South London. Eventually in 1992 I plucked up the courage to join an amateur orchestra in South London & progressed to become leader of the Sutton Symphony Orchestra for 12 years. In the early 2000's I became more aware of "other music" & started to play & sing at private parties - I would sing/play jazz & latin pieces with backing tracks & play classical pieces accompanied by a pianist. After moving to Uckfield in 2017 I attended a jazz course at the Brunswick in Hove for 2 years & gradually expanded my repertoire of jazz/latin pieces whilst providing a music service to care homes, at charitable events & for private events (using my vocals, violin & backing tracks). In 2020, during lockdown, I decided to try & teach myself the flugelhorn, being inspired by listening to Chet Baker whose trademark was singing & playing trumpet & flugelhorn. I started too late to reach a high standard on flugel & I suffered a bad chest infection in 2024 which set me back. However, I'm starting to play again & enjoy the different tonality & expression of the instrument. My repertoire is always expanding due to requests from clients & I have recently added songs by Billy Joel, Crowded House, Joni Mitchell & Cyndi Lauper. I have also written electric violin arrangements of film music & songs by Coldplay, Sia, Taylor Swift, Fleetwood Mac etc which I perform with backing tracks. In addition to improvising on jazz pieces I also write my own solos as & when necessary. In addition to my solo work with backing tracks I played number of gigs with a group from our jazz course & fronting a 5 piece jazz group with musicians from Brighton in 2022 & 2023.

Whilst I enjoy what I do for the community as a solo musician I very much want to work with other musicians to make music, & to have the opportunity to perform the occasional gig.

Regarding my music tastes, I have most experience in jazz, latin, pop rock & classical but I am happy to explore the other genres.