This is the place to locate the best musicians in the North West and find out more about our Music Leaders.
Charlotte Barber
I am a singer songwriter, and also heavily into the music tech side of things. I have been singing and writing seriously for the past 10 years or so. I was in a few bands previously and then took a break, and concentrated on working and recording other artists for a few years. With that out of my system I now front a band called Maliika. We are a three-piece hailing from all corners of the world and we mix soulful vocals and moving melodies with seamless harmonies. It's spine tingling stuff! We have been playing around Manchester for the past year or so including Manchester Academy earlier this year, and we are just about to start recording our new EP, which we will then be playing out and about very soon.
I am passionate about giving young people the opportunity to express themselves through music and to also pass on the confidence I now have, which is something I feel lacked when I was growing up. I want to develop this as much as possible with my new role with GMMAZ. Yippeee!
www.myspace.com/maliikasmusic
Martin Botham
Since being shoulder high to a bongo I’ve been beating out rhythms on anything that resonates. In addition to the drum kit in I’ve specialised in the Indian Dhol drum, Djembe, and Latin Percussion. Recently I had a long and loud stint doing workshops on a trash Gamelan, made from scrap metal attached to a 10-foot scaffold.
As a Director of Dhamak, a community music organisation based in Burnley, I’m involved in a wide variety of percussion and music making workshops and projects across Lancashire and Manchester, working with a diverse age range (from 4 - 74). I have designed and delivered projects for Creative Partnerships East Lancs.
Currently I’m performing and recording with the Burnley Bollywood Brass Band, a fusion of Bhangra beats and brass.
Career highlight: Playing with Sting at the M.E.N
Career lowlight: Being asked if Joe Botham was my brother. In fact he’s my Dad.
Joe Harrison
I am a multi-instrumentalist, composer/arranger, music leader type person. I have three main areas of work.
- I play bass (and other instruments) for Manchester based singer/songwriter Gideon Conn (www.myspace.com/gideonconn) with whom I have played gigs all over Britain, on Radio 1 and XFM.
- I have a music production company with producer/composer Mandy Wigby, 3rd Floor Music (www.myspace.com/3rdfloormusicproduction). We compose music for film, TV and theatre.
- Perhaps most important to me is my education/community music work. Music is a powerful social and personal tool and through workshops in composition, ensemble playing and improvisation, I seek ways to empower people and enrich their lives. I have also done a lot of work on creativity within the education system.
Audrey Lawrence-Mattis
Audrey is a singer, vocal coach, music teacher, workshop leader, company director, trainer and mentor. Her work as innovator, producer and creator of musical projects is widely known throughout the UK, especially her work as a gospel choir producer and as director of mass choirs. Her knowledge of her first instrument, the voice, has led her to research deeply how this amazing instrument works and earned her the respect of her peers. She is a much sought after singing coach.
Originally from the Midlands, she has been based in the North West for over 10 years. Over her career she has worked with a large number of organisations including the following:
GMMAZ, Manchester City Council – Education and Youth, Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Music Leader North West, Stockport Youth Service, Trafford Music Service, schools in Manchester, Trafford, Stockport, Rochdale, Tameside, Wrexham and Birmingham. Her vocal coaching work has been delivered regularly in Italy for the last 2 years.
www.myspace.com/audreyatpalm
Mad Rush MC
I have been MCing now for over 10 years at some of the UK's no.1 Drum ‘n’ Bass nights such as Spellbound, Guidance, Metropolis, Ape, Chibuku and Fabric alongside some legendary DJ's like Fabio, Grooverider, Docc Scott, Randall, Andy C and Goldie; also High Contrast, Futurebound, Commix, Marcus Intalex and Calibre.
I have 8 years worth of music workshop experience, working with children from the ages of 6 to 18 years and work regularly in the North West in areas such as Bolton, Wigan, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Wythenshawe, to name but a few.
I have been through the traineeship scheme set up by GMMAZ and also a lot of training programmes to help develop my workshop skills and to gain more experience. It has been worth it...... I am now working towards being Music Leader.
If you would like to see any of my work regarding workshops, please contact GMMAZ or if you would like to be updated about my gigs and music please visit www.myspace.com/madrushmc.
Hayley McIntyre
I am currently studying Music and Media Management at Salford University, as an artist I wanted develop my knowledge of the music industry. I have been playing drums since the age of 11 and performing in bands from the age of 16. During this time I have passed my grade 8 Rockschool examination on drums and I am currently utilising this skill to teach drummers at The Manchester College. Presently, I also deliver and assist drumming and percussion workshops for the Dhamak community project in Burnley.
Whilst studying at The Manchester College, alongside Charlotte Barber, I was able to plan and organise song writing and performance workshops for high school students in the surrounding Manchester area. We gave the participants the opportunity to perform in a band and record in a professional studio.
Once I have completed my degree, I plan to study towards a PGCE and continue to expand my skills as a workshop leader.
www.myspace.com/hayleymc555