Richard Freeman - Trumpet

Richard is originally from Telford, Shropshire and comes from a musical family. His mother was a music teacher and encouraged Richard to take up the trumpet around the age of nine. After playing in a number of local bands and orchestras, he moved to London to study at the Royal College of Music with Malcolm Smith. During his time there, he won the trumpet prize in his first year, played principal trumpet in the Symphony Orchestra, lead trumpet in the Big Band (directed by Pete Beachill) and attended master classes by Håkan Hardenberger, Thomas Rolfs and Derek Watkins. On leaving the RCM, Richard was offered a jazz scholarship at Trinity College of Music where he was fortunate enough to study with former Syd Lawrence Orchestra lead trumpet, Mike Lovatt and with Steve Waterman.

Richard has played with a variety of ensembles including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, European Union Chamber Orchestra, London Jazz Orchestra, Glenn Miller Memorial Orchestra, Jay Craig Orchestra and the Moscow State Circus! He first appeared with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra deputising for Steve Jones and was subsequently invited to join the band in March 2006. Richard has recorded for television and radio and has performed in many countries including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Luxembourg, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the USA.