The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) has announced the appointment of the composer, arranger and songwriter Steve Berry to the role of Head of Jazz & Improvisation.

The renowned jazz bassist and session musician came to prominence in the mid-1980s as a founder member of the 21-piece jazz orchestra Loose Tubes, with which he toured and recorded internationally.

Collaboration

Since then, he has collaborated with numerous ensembles, including those led by Mike Westbrook and Robert Ziegler and continues to work alongside many of Europe's finest jazz players.

He initially joined the RNCM in 1990 as a jazz double bass tutor, before leading cross-genre improvisation classes, initially for bassists and later for all instruments. These became an integral part of the College's ground-breaking musicianship course, which remains a core element of study for first and second year undergraduates.

As Head of Jazz and Improvisation, Steve will now direct advance awareness and practical opportunities for College-wide improvisationRNCM

Opportunities

A spokesperson told 4BR: "As Head of Jazz and Improvisation, Steve will now direct advance awareness and practical opportunities for College-wide improvisation.

He will support the creative development of smaller student-led ensembles, and take responsibility for jazz performance, including programming and directing the well-established RNCM Big Band."