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Mel is both tenor player and manager. Having played clarinet since before she could crawl, she has subsequently learnt most other woodwind instruments, usually by the tried and trusted method of being thrown in the deep end and told to get on with it. Giving up possible fame and glory as a swimmer, she studied music at Bristol Uni and is now training to be a Music Therapist, teaching music to help pay the bills.

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Mike is the current band Musical Director. He can be usually be found somewhere in the trumpet section, wombling his way through Macarthur park or something similar. Mike by day is (like half the band!) an engineer, playing in many bands in and around Bristol in his time off. Likes the Czech Republic.

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Dave is the man of many trumpets. Usually surrounded by Trumpets, Flugel horns or many mouthpieces he is "testing", Dave is a Technology teacher who keeps himself cool in the eyes of the kids with the aid of his screaching trumpet. As well as playing, Dave has conducted a Wind Band and taken on the monumental task of conducting a run of West Side Story in Bristol.

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Andy and Dave are partners in trumpet crime have been playing in bands together since they moved to bristol in 2004. Andy is not only a great soloist, but has previous conducted one of the top Bristol Student Big Bands and spends some of his spare time (or even time at work) arranging new tunes for the band. His compositions have made their way around the world - although I believe he is particularly popular in Scandinavia.

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Rachel is the unfortunate female minority in the trumpet section - she does however make the whole section look better. Rachel is a soon to be doctor, and has managed a band of 70 plus people, taking them on tour and arranging gigs all over the south west. Rachel is possibly the quietest member of the section, but don't let this fool you.

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James is the master of all trades. His presence in the trumpet section is irreplacable, especially when counting is concerned. This sight-reading machine is also the band webmaster (although not writing these bios), back up bassist and recording technician all in one. Where would we be without his enthusiasm?

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Caz likes getting muddy in fields, both for work and pleasure. She will shortly graduate as a Vet, and when she isn't vetting or playing the sax, she does things with the OTC. Who knows what?

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A legend in the resurgent genre of traditional new-orleans jazz, shunning any contemporary rubbish, Frank was born about 80 years too late. When not playing the trombone he is commonly found sipping gin from his hip flask, or searching for reduced price steak in the supermarket aisles. If it ain't got that Swing... Frank doesn't like it.

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Dr Sam loves playing in Big Bands. Having studied maths and then engineering at Cambridge, Warwick and finally Bristol he has played with many university big bands. He now plays with Top Cat and another south west based big band (naughty) as well as helping run a youth big band, playing with a Blues Brothers tribute band, and playing in shows he is frequently dragged into. Somehow he also fits in working in engineering R and D.

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Drummer Ian is another who has played with many top notch student big bands. Steady as a rock, there is none better to have at the back of your band. Likes jazz, drums, platelets, trombones and God, but not necessarily in that order.

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Elliot is the worlds foremost authority on Martian Salts. Nuff said. He's currently trying to finish his PhD, and is then hoping to continue to become a wise old academic. He plays percussion and also fills in on kit when Ian is missing. Has less hair than anyone else in the band.

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Having studied music performance at Royal Holloway in London, and worked in music management including working with the BBC big band, Jude came to Bristol to do her PGCE. Yes that's right, she's going to be a teacher.

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Max is an accountant. Oh dear. Also, he plays trombone with us. Yay.

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Another of the trombone/engineering posse, mike makes planes, or engines, or something. I should probably ask.

Having altered the course of western music (twice!) whilst in London as well as finding time to complete his studies in physics and music, and a PhD in geophysics, Pete moved to Bristol to work for the University. He still finds time to groove in Bristol, London and further afield in the best small groups and big bands around.