“Lovely thematic and melodic ideas”
Sound On Sound Magazine
“Wonderfully out of sync with everyone else”
Melody Maker
“Brian’s considerable harmonic invention and skill as a pianist”
Sound On Sound Magazine
“Interesting sounds and arrangements”
Second Avenue Magazine
“Creative thoughtful pieces from an inventive writer, adventurous both harmonically and in structure”
Sound On Sound Magazine
The plan was to go to art school but I got diverted and spent 20 odd years playing the drums and keyboards in jazz and rock bands, touring, recording, writing. I played in the UK, Europe and around the world and recorded an iconic album with jazz/rock group Catapilla.
I continue to write and record music, songs and instrumentals and combine my musical and artistic skills in creating accompanying videos.
Members of The AdLibOrchestra are virtual virtuosos, occasionally supplemented by the real thing - such as the very talented saxophonist Robert Calvert in the photos - kindly helping out on one of his visits from Australia,
In 2022 The Ad Lib Orchestra was commissioned by the conceptual artist Lorrain Mailer to write and record a new work as part of an art installation exploring the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life.
The 14 minute piece, in three sections, was premiered at St Marys Church at Sellindge in Kent on Maundy Thursday when the exhibition was opened by The Archbishop Of Canterbury.
I am currently re-mixing and mastering this music and will be releasing it on streaming platforms shortly - meanwhile you can hear an edited sample here
Paintings
I have created plenty of artworks over the years - here’s a small sample
Fun, Fun, Fun
pastel, watercolour, ink and digital - one of a series of prints inspired by song titles
The Cliffs Of Glass
oil on canvas
Labranda, Turkey
oil on canvas - featured in “Oil Painting Workshop” by Aggy Boshoff, published by Dorling Kindersley
The Bridge Of Size
watercolour and ink - one of the “great misunderstandings of the world” series
The Harvest
oil on canvas - exhibited at The Royal Academy in 2009
Me
making an exhibition of myself