Composing
Jazz sampler
Rock sampler
“Jamie is not only a very accomplished guitarist, he's also a gifted composer with a fresh take on guitar led music. Having recorded sessions for Jamie, I'm always struck by his strong understanding of how each instrument will interact within the context of his composition and the instrument's sonic capabilities.”
— Paul Jefferies, double bassist (Rob Terry, Wendy Kirkland)
“As a composer he is not afraid to push the boundaries and think outside of the box.
Playing his compositions are always a challenge; to play something which does justice to his writing and vision, and to understand the technical aspect of Jamie’s innovative writing approach.
Jamie has pushed me outside of my comfort countless times.”
— Paul Glover, drummer (Pure Reason Revolution, Scroobius Pip)
I took composition as my second study in the final year of my BA(Hons) in Jazz Studies at the City of Leeds College of Music. For my portfolio I composed a string quartet under the guidance of Lutoslawski scholar Charles Bodman Rae, as well as pieces for jazz ensemble.
After my undergraduate degree I moved to Budapest where I formed a rock band - Tea Thieves - for which I wrote a substantial number of songs. Returning to the UK five years later, I put together an organ trio - Evidence Bass - for which I have written a number of jazz funk pieces. Other projects at this time included publishing a book of original pieces for teaching beginning electric guitarists to read music. In recent years I have been writing for my Traces contemporary jazz project which includes a trio and a 9-piece ensemble.
In 2016, I returned to academia to study for an MMus in composition at the University of Southampton for which I received a distinction. I was then awarded the institution’s Presidential Scholarship to study for a PhD which started in 2018 under the supervision of composers Matthew Shlomowitz and Ben Oliver. Through this work I am developing approaches to composition which involve improvisation, collaboration, and the aesthetics of digital music brought into live performance. [Click here to see more of my academic work]
Since my return to study I have composed pieces for big band, harpsichord, percussion ensemble, soloists with electronics, and various small chamber groups. I have also kept writing jazz and groove based music, particularly with my band The Definite Collective which has been a testing ground for some experiments in rhythm and form.
My recent projects include:
An album of 4 original contemporary jazz tunes performed by a 9-piece group;
A collection of pieces called Loop Work for various groups of players which explore loops and improvisation;
An ongoing set of works I call Accomplices which are developed in collaboration with other musicians;
a collection of jazz tunes of which I have started to produce remote recordings; (Overlooking None, Third Law)
a set of pieces written for musicians using a looper pedal in non-traditional ways;
writing for my band The Definite Collective, creating groove with odd beat divisions and experimenting with form in a jazz funk setting;
Apart from his obvious skills as a guitar player, I've always been impressed with Jamie's ability to approach a song idea from a different angle and add parts I would never have thought of.
And while he may bring in unconventional elements, he still respects the song and has a great appreciation of melody, something I always look for in music.
— Michael Kentish, published songwriter