Rod is a Midland lad who moved North to study the Saxophone at the now Huddersfield University. He started playing the saxophone aged 12 during his 2^nd year at secondary school. Whilst at school he became involved with the local Big Band and discovered the joys of swing and jazz. He played in many local youth jazz orchestras as well as playing with the M.U. Big Band.

 

 Upon moving up to Huddersfield he began playing with many Northern bands and also started to form his own small groups. One of the big turning points for Rod was one Friday night watching The Old Grey Whistle Test, when he first discovered the Billy Cobham band ( which at that time included the Brecker brothers and John Abercrombie ). This was to change his musical outlook on life.

 

 Whilst at college he gained his degree in music  studying all the great clasical composers  but also did talks for the college on Jazz music and for his final assignment wrote about Jazz music. At university he formed with others the Northern Jazz Orchestra which played throughout the North at festivals and other venues, Rod was the M.D. for 2 years. He also had a small band playing original compositions.

 

Another pivotal point for Rod was hearing John Surman for the first time on an album by Mike Westbrook called 'Citadel room 315'. Surman has long been Rods main influence as a sax player. He is not keen looking backwards and tends to buy and listen to new music, hence most of his influences are modern e.g Kenny Garrett, Michael Brecker, Jan Garbarek and another scandanavian called Lars Moller. Rod also tends to be influenced by guitarists, the main men being John McLaughlin, John Scofield and Bill Frisell.​ 

 

Rod has also played with many of the countries main Jazz stars. Some include Alan Skidmore, Pete King, Don Weller, Art Themen, Guy Barker, Gerard Precenser, Steve Waterman, Jim Mullen. He has played in Europe and featured at many Jazz festivals ( Brecon, ,Grimsby, Manchester and Bracknell ) and was with the Ben Crosland Band when featured on T.V. He also has performed with John Surman and John Warren as part of the Voice of the North and had to fight against the likes of Billy Jenkins in one of his 'Big Fights'.

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Rod formed his first Quartet with Jez Franks on Guitar, Dave Walsh on Drums and Ben Crosland on Bass. They released 2 albums which received excellent reviews in the press called 'Who turned the lights out'  and 'Return of the Roomdarkener' (​featured on the Humphrey Littleton show on Monday nights). The band expanded to a five piece for numerous gigs in the North with the addition of Steve Lodder on Piano / Keyboards. Through his work with Steve Lodder he became the dep Sax player for the Zappatistas and has played with them around the UK.

​He later changed the line up of his band to feature Richard Wetherall / Piano, Keyboards - Richard Hammond /Bass - Dave Walsh /Drums. They have forged a reputation for playing Music which covers the full array of emotions. They have played many festivals and have been asked to appear here and abroad. They have recorded 2 albums so far ' Underlying Current' ​and '4 Tall Stories'. ​

​​Rod is also regularly called to play in larger groups i.e. The Voice of the North ,  Yorkshire Jazz Orchestra and the James Hamilton Jazz Orchestra to name a few. He often can be found playing locally as a guest with a house rhythm section and has been asked to tour abroad. He now plays regularly with a Prince tribute band called " EndorphinMachine ". They travel all over the country taking the Funk to the people. They are often asked to play for the Prince parties in London and play material from the full list of albums and live music.

 

Since retiring Rod has played all over the country playing in clubs and festivals with all types of artist........bring it on !

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