TIM HUSKISSON - ABOUT


A self-taught pianist from a very young age, Tim was inspired by Jazz that he first heard on 78rpm records.

Taking clarinet lessons from the age of 9 he was playing in local Jazz bands by his late teens. He learned much of the Traditional Jazz repertoire as a member of ‘Dennis Field’s Hot-Jazz’ and received further encouragement from Digby Fairweather who included him in his ‘All-Stars’ on an Essex-Radio sponsored Jazz-Cruise to Sweden in 1981.
 
Later, as a keyboardist in 'function' dance bands in hotels and night-clubs, Tim was often required to play for guest entertainers - including Larry Grayson, Little & Large, Michael Barrymore and Soul singer, George McCrae.

A chance meeting in 1989 led to regular work with entertainer Brian Conley. Tim became his musical director for theatre tours, and summer season shows in Weymouth (1992), Scarborough (1993) and Blackpool (1994). There were TV appearances, shows at the London Palladium and a performance at the Royal Albert Hall when Brian was special guest of the legendary Bob Hope. Tim was offered the position of Deputy M.D. for ‘Jolson – The Musical’ at London’s Victoria Palace, and after declining an offer to join the Canadian production in Toronto, he toured with comedian Joe Pasquale. From 1998 to 2000, Tim toured Europe as M.D. for the Rocky Horror Show.