What made you choose the double bass?

To be honest, what led me to the double bass was a series of happy accidents, but sticking with it was easy! I love the sound, I love the roles it plays, and I had some wonderful teachers and coaches when I first started out who just made attempting to play it a completely joyful experience.

Who is your favourite composer, and why?

I can’t pick a favourite! But I do love that I’m still finding out about lots of composers and performers that I haven’t heard of before, or haven’t heard enough of, it’s a constant source of inspiration!

Back in 2022 Joseph McHardy wrote a beautiful article for The Guardian about the music and life of 16th century musician Vicente Lusitano, the first black composer to have his music published. Until 2020, I’d never heard of Lusitano, let alone listened to his music. The Marian Consort have a beautiful recording of his Motets, absolutely worth a listen!

More recently, I was introduced to the playing of Wanda Landowska, a pioneering harpsichordist who was at the heart of the early musical revival in the early part of the 20th century, again, someone whose playing I hadn't heard until this year… I hang my head!