Learning to Write Music: One Word That Changed Everything

There was just one tiny problem: 30 years ago, I had no idea how to write music. In fact, I didn’t even know where to begin learning composition or how to turn ideas into recordings or live performances.

Luckily, around 1994 or ’95, Laurence took me to a show at London’s Jazz Cafe. He was playing with Bandzilla, an all-star big band led by American arranger and producer Richard Niles. I had no clue that a 30-second introduction to Richard would turn into a second mentorship—one that eventually helped me move to the U.S. and become a full-time musician.

There’s something about the positivity of American musicians that always fascinated me, and Richard was, and still is, one of those people who loves to say yes. He’s endlessly curious about new talent and always enthusiastic about helping you succeed.

He wanted to hear me play, and I wanted to learn everything he knew—chord voicings, arranging, producing, orchestration, composing—all the knowledge that comes from working with artists like Paul McCartney, James Brown, Pat Metheny, and Depeche Mode.