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Mike 'Magic' Henry - biography
MIKE 'MAGIC' HENRY
Born January 25th 1955 in Bury Lancashire, Mike played Cornet in local brass bands, before gaining recognition for his talents at the age of 9.
At the age of 11 he studied at the Junior Royal College of Music in Manchester. Solo cornet (3rd man) with Besses O'th Barn Band at 12. This was followed by a Scholarship to Chetham's School Of Music in Manchester.At 18 he gained a place at the Guildhall School Of Music in London.
PLAYING EXPERIENCES:
At the Guildhall he led the Brass Ensemble conducted by Dennis Wick and also played 1st trumpet in the Symphony Orchestra. In the 2nd year he was chosen as one of 6 people to play in the Juenesses Musicals World Orchestra at the 1976 Olympic Games in Canada followed by a month tour. He also had a month tour of Italy with a 20-piece Brass Ensemble the same year.
The following summer he was again chosen to represent England with the same Orchestra for a tour of Korea & Japan.
After finishing college, he freelanced with the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra.
Further experience in freelance work eventually led to a job with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra in 1978 with whom he played for the next 12 years. During this time he played in all the major Concert halls in England & Europe, with TV, Radio and Recordings, along with the occasional classical date with the London Symphony Orchestra, as well as session work in all styles of music for the likes of: Joe & Co, CBS, CTS, Abbey Road,
BBC Maida Vale, Golders Green & Pebble Mill studios.
Since 1990 I have been freelance based in London, performing and recording. My work has been mainly jazz orientated, specializing in the style of the Music of the 1920s - 40s.
My work in this field includes the following groups:
Pasadena Roof Orchestra (12 yrs),
Cotton Club Orchestra,
Cotton Club Band (Keith Nichols),
The Grahamaphones,
Red Hot & Blue Orchestra,
Echoes Of Ellington Orchestra,
The Charleston Chasers,
Harry Stutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra,
Bob Hunt Ellington Orchestra,
Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra,
Midnite Follies Orchestra,
Squadronaires Orchestra,
Ray Gelatos Giants,
Blue Harlem,
Sugar Ray Ford Orchestra,
John Altman Orchestra,
The Brasshoppers,
Keith Nichols Blue Devils,
Joan Viskant Quintet
and Bryan Ferry on his tour of Europe with a Jazz/Roxy Music Show.
Small Group work has included:
The Guinness Jazz Band - which I have worked with for the last 23 years, with 21 appearances at the Cork Jazz Festival and lots of tours to Scandinavia, Ireland, Germany & England.
Acker Bilk Paramount Jazz Band - Guest Concerts in England & Ireland.
Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen Guest concerts in the UK.
Chris Barber Jazz & Blues Band, now The Big Chris Barber Band Full time with Chris since 2001, Touring Europe and the UK with 200 dates a year.
Michael G Henry. ARCM AGSM.
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