Jack was born in London and moved to Cambridge when young, discovering classical music at a late age and beginning double bass lessons when 16. Initially inspired by jazz bassists Scott LaFaro and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, he quickly found a passion for classical orchestral music after playing in Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.2.
Jack’s first real orchestral experience took place in 2008 when he joined the London Schools Symphony Orchestra (LSSO), enjoying his first opportunities to play symphonic works with world-renowned conductors, including performances of Sibelius with Leif Segerstam and Chopin with Tamás Vásáry. With the LSSO, Jack participated in tours to Spain and the Netherlands and in 2009, performed Gordon Jacob’s Little Concerto for double bass with string orchestra and percussion.
Jack was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM) with Duncan McTier and Graham Mitchell. Whilst at the RAM, Jack performed under conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Trevor Pinnock and Semyon Bychkov. Jack participated in master classes with bassists Božo Paradžik, Matthew McDonald and Dominic Seldis. Keen to broaden his ensemble experience, Jack enjoyed playing Schubert’s ‘Trout’ quintet at Christ Church Spitalfields in a lecture recital given by Christopher Hogwood.
What do you love about classical music?
It seems kind of obvious, but it is the sound! The way every musician has a completely unique voice. The way that musicians breath life into inanimate objects to create such incredible sounds never ceases to amaze me.
What or who inspired you to become a professional musician?
Beethoven. Whenever I am struggling or finding things difficult, Beethoven always inspires me to keep going. My teachers, too. They always had faith in me even when I sometimes didn’t.
Tell us something about yourself that might surprise us
I am a fully qualified bike mechanic. Bikes have always been a hobby and a couple of years ago I decided to train as a mechanic.