A4 BRASS QUARTET - Key Persons

Jamie Smith (b. 1994) is a performer, educator and conductor held in high regard. After starting to play the cornet at the age of 8, Jamie has worked his way broadly through the music world with a specialism in chamber music, education, brass performance and conducting. Jamie is the current Principal Cornet of the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band as well as being a founding member of the award winning A4 Brass Quartet. In August 2015, Jamie was invited to join the Grimethorpe Colliery Band on their tour to Australia, where, upon their return, he was delighted to accept the role of Co-Principal Cornet of the band, working alongside Prof. Roger Webster. During a 3 year spell with the band Jamie played both principal cornet and flugelhorn, with the highlight being a ‘Brassed Off Live' concert to a maximum capacity Royal Albert Hall. He was appointed the role of principal cornet with the Flowers Band based in Gloucester in January 2019, and in May 2022 he returned as principal cornet of the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Jamie was the first player to be principal cornet of both the National Children's Brass Band of Great Britain and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. During this time he was a winner of the Katie Ogden Solo Competition and the prestigious Phillip McCann cornet award. Jamie is also currently a member of the award winning A4 Brass Quartet. The ensemble have claimed many national and international awards, including becoming City Music Foundation Artists and the Royal Overseas League Ensemble Winners. With the group, Jamie has worked in the line of music therapy, carrying out concerts for Live Music Now and Music In Hospitals and Care in SEN and Dementia Care settings. In September 2020 Jamie began working with the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra, where he works with the brass players on the island. Jamie has also lead training days and workshops with youth brass bands, as well as teaching at Huddersfield University, Leeds University and Birmingham Conservatoire.

Job Titles:

• Member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain

Jonathan Bates is a tenor horn soloist, composer and conductor hailing from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. In 2012 he became only the 2nd ever tenor horn player to reach the televised category final of BBC Young Musician of the Year following 2 consecutive appearances in the final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist of the Year in 2010 & 2011. Since then, he has recorded the tenor horn sample audio for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) grade exams, appeared as a guest soloist in the UK, Germany, Denmark, Norway & Switzerland and in 2019 became the first ever guest tenor horn artist to be invited to perform at the International Tuba & Euphonium Conference (ITEC) held in Iowa, USA, performing the world premiere of the brass band adaption of Anthony DiLorenzo's Zodiac Concerto accompanied by the Fountain City Brass Band. Jonathan is the youngest ever member of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, joining a week after his 12th birthday. He went on to attend 14 courses - 8 of which as Principal Horn - winning both the Katie Ogden & Harry Mortimer Solo Awards along with the Harold & Bernard Tovey Memorial Award for Outstanding Musical Contribution in 2011. He also appeared at the BBC Proms as Principal Horn of the band in 2012.