Sam Massey is a well-regarded UK-based composer/bandleader, trumpeter and educator, hailed as a “fine trumpet player” by John Fordham of the Guardian (Mike Westbrook ‘A Bigger Show’ Review, February 2016) and has had his composition described as “absolutely breathtakingly stunning” by Matt Tancock of BBC Introducing.

As a freelance composer, arranger and performer, he and his music has been broadcast on numerous BBC, Absolute Radio, Jazz FM and RAI Radio 3 (Italy) programmes and is found on critically acclaimed albums and tours by artists as diverse as PP Arnold, Ocean Colour Scene, Mike Westbrook and The Simmertones.

Sam has studied trumpet with Dean Wright (Professor of Trumpet at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama) and Brian Rance and jazz trumpet with Nick Malcolm. In addition, he has attended masterclasses with internationally acclaimed artists Alison Balsom, Eric Vloiemans, Crispian Steele-Perkins and Steve Waterman.

A keen educator, Sam has been a peripatetic brass, WCEL and music teacher and workshop leader for over ten years. During this time he has taught brass and music regularly at a number of schools and music education centres throughout the South West, including:

• Exeter School
• Mount Kelly
• University of Plymouth (Trumpet & Jazz Trumpet)
• Ivybridge Community College
• South Dartmoor Community College
• SaMMS Saturday Morning Music (specialist music school in Totnes)
• King Edward VI Community College (KEVICC) in Totnes
• Torquay Boys & Girls Grammar School
• The Beacon Federation (Federation Music Specialist)

He believes in teaching in a fun and encouraging environment whilst maintaining a structured approach.

He is experienced in preparing students for ABRSM, Trinity College/Trinity Guildhall Graded examinations (Classical & Jazz disciplines) and in individual GCSE and A-Level music tuition, as well as auditions for further musical study.

A number of former students have gone on to study at specialist music institutions such as Wells Cathedral School, The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Specialising in trumpet, flugelhorn and jazz/improvisation, he offers individual tuition in the following instruments and topics:

• Trumpet, Cornet and Flugelhorn
• All lower brass valved instruments (e.g. Tenor Horn, Euphonium)
• Trombone & French Horn
• Jazz and Improvisation
• Music Theory/Aural
• GCSE and A-Level Music Tutoring

He has also recently been appointed the Devon & Torbay Music Education Hubs Music Development Lead for the Exeter area.

Sam is delighted to have been a part of the SaMM community for over 20 years, firstly as a student, and latterly has been Brass Tutor for the last 15 years, taking on the Jazz Band following Lewis Riley's retirement in 2016.