Ed Mayo

Ed Mayo began playing trumpet at the age of 12, whilst studying at Chatham House Grammar School in Kent. He soon developed a love of jazz music and joined the Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra and soon after the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Bill Ashton.

He studied for a degree in Jazz Studies and the City of Leeds College of Music and studied under Graham Hearne, Simon Barnes, Tony Faulkner and Ronnie Bottomley. During his study in Leeds he also performed with the UK Conservatoires’ Big Band, Blackpool Tower Big Band and the Band of the Royal Engineers. After leaving, and being awarded his degree, he began a two-year playing stint in the USA which included playing with Tony Bennett. After returning to the UK Ed began a fruitful playing career which has seen him perform with Amy Winehouse, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, BBC Big Band and Dave Arch’s Strictly Come Dancing Band. Ed has conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra of Wales in concert with Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey, and written music for numerous bands and artists all over the world. He currently maintains his position as in-house composer for the “Festival on The Hill”, held on Canterbury each year.

After training as a teacher and being awarded a masters degree in education Ed moved to Spain, and subsequently Kuwait, to pursue a career in teaching.