Biographies
Author
Photo: Paul Taylor
John Robinson was born in Hull in 1945. Although he has written poetry for many years he has a varied employment history as tripe-dresser, kiln maker, freelance journalist, truck driver, road builder, trombone player and local government officer.
His poetry is nationally acknowledged and his first published collection 'the cook's wedding' (Ragged Raven Press, 2001), was admired by the renowned U A Fanthorpe who wrote
"... I especially like the vim, the large-heartedness, the celebration of life and locality...here is a poet who is fascinated by details (of all sorts)."
'Supper at Ocean Villas' (McRay Solo Press, 2014), and 'Other Ranks' are the result of a decade's research, supported by Arts Council England, following the footsteps of the Hull Pals, and in particular those of his grandfather, across the WW1 battlefields of France.
Composer
Photo:Viceversarobbi Fotografia.
Paul Taylor is a jazz musician, poet, composer and teacher. Hailing from Oldham, Lancashire, he has a brass band background but began exploring jazz as a student at the University of Hull in the late 1970s. Upon graduation he moved to London where his reputation as a trombone player really developed.
In recent years he has performed with Loose Tubes, Roberto Pla's Latin Ensemble and, in 2016, a week at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club with the mighty New York Mingus Big Band.
The summer of 2017 saw a return to Hull to perform his original music at the Hull Jazz Festival, with a quintet of local musicians.
As a writer Paul Taylor has toured widely in the UK with his humorous
one-man show 'trombone poetry' taking it to pubs, clubs and festivals, also
appearing on various radio programmes.
For 'Other Ranks' he has composed the music which is scored for a small brass and wind band, but with the possibility of arranging for an extended ensemble.
Producer
Photo: Mark Terry
Dave Ellis is a musician, writer and promoter of jazz and experimental musics. He came to Hull in 1972 to study at the School of Art & Design where he was subsequently employed until retirement in 2015.
In 1982 he launched 'Other Musics,' first as a musicians collective, but later as a promoting venture that was soon incorporated into Hull
Time Based Arts, of which he was a founder member.
He has collaborated with John Robinson and Paul Taylor on several projects including performances for the Larkin 25 celebrations of 2010, and the Humber Mouth Literature Festivals of 2008 and 2014.
As a musician he plays many styles in several local jazz groups, and the Bandanarama Street Band.