FREDDIE GAVITA

Freddie began playing piano aged 6, and took up the trumpet at 7, learning with Norfolk jazz legend Dave Amis, who taught Freddie until he left Norwich for London in 2004. He took a shine to the music of Louis Armstrong as a child, which left him in no doubt about pursuing a career as a jazz trumpeter. Having been described as "a cross between Kenny Wheeler and Freddie Hubbard" during the Norwich Students' Jazz Orchestra performance at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 2002, Freddie went on to gain a place on the inaugural Royal Academy of Music Junior Jazz program. He then graduated from the degree course in 2008 with first class honours in Jazz Trumpet, having studied under Gerard Presencer, Pat White, Martin Speake, Mike Lovatt, Noel Langley, Nick Smart and Tim Garland. A stalwart of NYJO from 2004-7, Freddie has been a fixture on the British big-band scene for read more...