About Percy

After graduating from the Birmingham Conservatoire’s BMus(Hons) Jazz course with first class honours in 2003, Percy obtained a scholarship to study on the Jazz and Contemporary Music Program at the New School University, New York City. During his stay in New York he performed with a great variety of jazz ensembles, including The Ellington Orchestra at Birdland, the Coltrane Ensemble at Sweet Rhythm, The Rene Marie Big Band at Town Hall, and The Knitting Factory with Jesse Elder, Matt Brewer and Tommy Crane.

Having returned from New York in 2005, Percy is now working as a freelance Jazz musician, composer, arranger and recording artist on Trumpet, Double Bass and Cajon.  He also lectures in Jazz at the Birmingham Conservatoire, and directs the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Wales, tutor for the the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland and educator for National Youth Jazz Collective. Percy also regularly provides clinics for Jazz improvisation at various levels throughout the UK and Europe.

Most recently, Percy has formed his own ensembles and projects, working closely with drummer Andrew Bain, forming several international collaborations featuring saxophonist Jon Irabagon and trumpeter Peter Evans, and UK-based musicians Malcolm Edmonstone and Mike Williams.

Some of the most recent ensembles Percy has performed and recorded with include …
Paul Dunmall, Peter Evans, Jon Irabagon, BBC Radio Big Band, Amy Winehouse, Jamie Cullum, Hans Koller, Dan Weiss, Thomas Morgan, John Hollenbeck, Mark Dresser, Andy Panayi, Mark Lockheart, Tommy Smith, LJO, The Halle, Stan Sulzman, Jim Mullen, English String Orchestra, Jean Toussaint, Tony Levin, Elbow, Guy Barker, John Horler, Mark Nightingale, Nigel Hitchcock, Phil Robson, Neil Yates, Alan Barnes, John Dankworth.