OUR BAND MEMBERS
Introducing our band members
The SURREY HILLS BIG BAND is a 16 piece band with rhythm, trumpet, trombone and reed sections. We are a friendly group who play a variety of music including classic big band swing numbers by Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Glenn Miller, tunes from hit musicals, arrangements of pop songs and TV and film theme tunes. And much more!
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We are based in Reigate, North East Surrey, well placed to play events in the local area and South West London, Surrey and Sussex.
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BAND MEMBERS
Our current band members are:
Sophie Dodd - Leader, alto and soprano saxophones, clarinet and flute
Amy Dodd - Trumpet
Nick Duff - Trumpet
Caroline Skinner - Trumpet
Ross Bridges - Trumpet
Howard Dodd - Trombone
James Reeves - Trombone
Jonathan McCarthy - Trombone
Hannah Harrington - Alto Saxophone
Colin Richards - Tenor saxophone
Ros Williams - Tenor Saxophone
Liz Solomon -Baritone Saxophone
Liz Hill - Keyboard
Brian Norris - Guitar
Dave Skinner - Bass
Andy Gray - Drums
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And here's a bit more about some of our members.
Sophie Dodd - Music Director, woodwinds
My love of the saxophone began after hearing the alto sax solo at the end of Phil Collins track "One More Night" , and I began having lessons at age 7. I then fell in love with big band music whilst playing with the Kingston Youth Band, which further cemented that music was the career that I wanted to follow. I studied Applied Music at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, where I gained a wealth of experience playing in ensembles around the city. I returned back to London, and decided I actually needed to learn how to play the clarinet and flute, and began working as a Peripatetic Woodwind Teacher in the local area. Through my work I've set up and directed many big bands. I'm a Count Basie, Gordon Goodwin and Maynard Ferguson fan! I'm proud to be the Musical Director of the Surrey Hills Big Band and am delighted that our band is so welcoming and fun whilst playing some great tunes!
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Hannah Harrington - Alto Saxophone
I grew up listening to the big bands and other jazz favourites such as Kenny Ball and Brian White. As a child I had piano lessons for several years and then gave up which is something I regret. However, I took up the alto sax in later life and quickly restored my knowledge of music.
I also belong to the Phoenix Concert Band and Allegra Concert Band, both based in Sutton.
Colin Richards - Tenor Saxophone
My love of jazz goes back to my teenage years when I was introduced to the music of Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and Count Basie by my brother. I played trumpet at school and later dabbled with clarinet and alto sax, but the demands of a career and family curtailed my playing. After taking early retirement I took up the saxophone seriously – it was then or never! -and I now play alto and tenor in several bands.
Among many others my favourite sax players are Lester Young, Ben Webster, Johnny Hodges, Zoot Sims, Scott Hamilton and Karen Sharp.
Dave Skinner Bass
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I am a very keen amateur bassist, playing tuba, bass guitar/bass ukulele and bass trombone in various bands and ensembles, ranging from tuba in a trio to tuba/bass ukulele in the local concert band, the band of the Surrey Yeomanry, where I am also band chairman. I am very proud to be the bass player for the Surrey Hills Big Band and look forward to playing many more gigs and rehearsals with them.
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Amy Dodd - Lead trumpet
I started playing trumpet when I was 8 after a workshop at my Sunday school where I discovered I was excellent at blowing a shofar (ram's horn) and someone suggested to my mum I learn to play the trumpet. As a teenager I played with both the Kingston Youth Concert and Big Band, where I particularly enjoyed playing Stevie Wonder and Nestico. I continued to play at uni and since graduating have mainly played in concert bands.
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My confidence in playing big band music has grown since joining SHBB, where I'm now lead trumpet and not afraid to give the screaming top notes a bash! I find that playing with the band is a great antithesis from my day job as a Therapeutic Radiographer, and I especially enjoy the banter and heckling from the brass section.
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Andy Gray - Brilliant drummer
One of the band members said:
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"The geezer at the back hits things! We've told him to be quiet and stop following us around........but I don't think he can hear us!
We are informed he's been doing this since 2020 which by my watch is nearly 40 minutes! "
