However great the facilities are in a music school there are only two things that really matter to musicians who wish to be the absolute best that they can be on their instrument or voice:
The course content
The quality and experience of the tutors
At BIMM we never forget that. We provide lecturers who:
Are incredible musicians and song writers
Have stadium level touring and multi-platinum hit record experience
Have top session credits
Regularly contribute to national music press in journals such as Guitarist, Total Guitar, Guitar Techniques, Rhythm, Guitar Buyer, Bass Magazine, Acoustic Magazine and Music Week
Are dedicated teachers as well as working professionals, who are in the classroom because of their commitment to education
bimm COURSE tutors
BIMM's tutors have all played, produced, recorded and toured with many artists and been involved in many music industry events inlcluding; Kula Shaker, Bryan Adams, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Aerosmith, Kirsty MacColl, Billy Idol, Guns 'n' Roses, Bon Jovi, Skunk Anansie, Robert Plant, Prince, Michael Jackson, Beck, Neil Young, The Clash, The Stranglers, Zhane, The Jam, The Jeevas, Morcheeba, MTV Awards, The Brits, Reading Festival, Glastonbury and the MOBO Awards.
Stuart Clayton (The Carl Palmer Band) - Head of Bass
Stuart is one of the most respected bass teachers and transcript writers around. In 2002 Stuart became a writer for Bass Guitar magazine and was soon approached by Sanctuary Publishing. He has written 6 books including ‘Bass Bible’ and ‘The Ultimate Slap Bass’. Stuart is also a world class player and has toured the world with Carl Palmer of Emerson Lake and Palmer.
Widely regarded as one of the finest bass players around, Damon
Minchella has recorded and performed with Paul Weller for 12 years, played bass for The Who at Live 8, and with his own band Ocean Colour Scene, performed recorded and produced albums selling over 3 million copies and racking up over 15 hit singles. A front cover artist on Bassist magazine 3 times, Brit Awards nominee and featured endorsee for Fender, Marshall, Ampeg, Ashdown and Picatto, Damon has also played with a whole host of artists including Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, Amy Winehouse and Dr.John. “ The British James Jamerson” Steve White “This boy sounds phat! “ Marcus Miller.
Stuart Ryan (Guitar Techniques magazine) - Head of Guitar & Acoustic Guitar
Described as “one of the finest of the young generation” by leading jazz guitarist Martin Taylor MBE, award winning musician Stuart Ryan is known to guitarists the world over, thanks to his monthly columns in Guitar Techniques magazine, concerts throughout the UK and beyond and contributions to Total Guitar and Guitarist. In 2002 he was awarded Guitarist magazine’s ’Acoustic Guitarist of the Year’ and since then has performed alongside leading guitarists Martin Taylor, Eric Roche and Thomas Leeb. A multi stylist on both acoustic and electric guitar he wrote the ’Play Guitar’ supplement for The Observer newspaper and his solo guitar compositions feature in the RGT acoustic guitar syllabus.
Guthrie Govan (Asia) - Guitar Tutor
Guthrie is a jaw dropping talent! He has an incredible ability to mimic guitarists from almost any genre. Guthrie won the Guitarist of the Year in 1993 and is renowned amongst his piers as probably the most versatile player in the world. Guthrie is the lead guitarist in the progressive rock band Asia and has played alongside legends like Tony Levin, Steve Howe and Vinnie Colaiuta. He also contributes to Guitar Techniques and Guitarist magazine. As quoted by Dweezil Zappa, son of prolific US artist Frank Zappa, “every time I hear Guthrie play I feel like I have to fasten my seatbelt. He is an alien. His technique and execution is staggering. Ultimately what is most impressive about him is his musicality. He has total freedom on guitar... BASTARD!”
Jim Barr (Portishead/Get the Blessing) - Upright Bass Tutor
Jim is best known as the bass player with Portishead’s live band. He is also a founding member for Get the Blessing which won BBC Jazz Album of the Year in 2008. Jim runs his own studio J and J in Bristol and clients include Portishead, Goldfrapp, Robert Plant, Experimental Pop Band and Get The Blessing amongst many more. Jim has produced many albums for artists including Get The Blessing, Marc Gauvin and Jukes amongst others. He has played bass on many records including Portishead NYC, Peter Gabriel, Stonephace and Get The Blessing. Jim teaches BA Hons Songwriters on the ’Studio Recording’ module and Upright Bass.
James Hester (Drummer Magazine/Malakai) - Head of Drums
James is another incredible talent who is a busy player with his band, and Radio 1 favourite, Malakai signed to Island/Universal. James’s full schedule is down to his versatility, being able to play everything from Metal to Jazz to Drum and Bass. James also plays with BIMM Bristol tutor (Head of Guitar) Stuart Ryan and The Hammond Band.
Mark Richardson (Feeder) - Drum Tutor - Visiting Faculty
With multi platinum hit records from all 3 of his bands (Feeder, Skunk Anansie and Little Angels), stadium-level worldwide touring experience, Mark has a CV to envy most drummers in the world. Aged 18 his first ever gig with Little Angels was to 75,000 people at Cardiff Arms Park when they supported Bryan Adams (the next one was 90,000 at Wembley Stadium!). His later works, particularly with his current band Feeder, has seen Mark grow in skill and stature to be a truly world class player. With a powerhouse style similar to the late and great John Bonham, Mark has a wonderful reputation throughout the music business.
Dom Greensmith (Reef/Kubb) - Drum Tutor - Visiting Faculty
With British rock band ‘Reef’ (Sony BMG) Dom played drums and chalked up an amazing 15 top 40 singles from 5 albums over 8 years. Reef’s
second album ‘Glow’ which followed on from the incredible debut success of ‘Replenish’ went straight in the UK charts at #1. Consequently
Kerrang! ranked ‘Glow’ in the 100 albums you must hear before you die. Dom has also played drums for various renowned artists such as Peter
Gabriel, Ray Davis and Kubb. The latter being the most recent project and have had huge chart success, particularly with the single ‘Grow’.
The band is currently signed to Mercury Records and is now writing their eagerly anticipated second album.
Jason Bowld (Pitchshifter/This is Menace) - Drum Tutor
Jason Bowld is best known as the drummer from renowned UK rockers Pitchshifter. The band have released 8 studio albums, numerous singles, EPs and performed live in 25 countries! The band have toured with some of rock’s finest including Metallica, Deftones, Killing Joke, Incubus, Black Sabbath, Iggy Pop, Fear Factory, Lost Prophets, Bad Religion and The Offspring.
Martin Hibbert (TV and Production) - Head of Vocals
Martin is a broad ranged voice artist, having spent the last 17 years working in theatre, TV and production. He has toured Europe and played many of the major venues in the UK and the West End appearing in musical theatre productions such as, Scrooge, Dr. Doolittle, Pirates of Penzance, A Christmas Carol and Sweet Charity. In the late 90’s he chased the sun around the world on Cruise Ships performing in numerous shows and cabarets, developing and writing his own formats. His voicings have been used in commercials and multimedia infomercials for companies including BT, Tesco, Halifax, Kellogg’s and numerous others. He has worked as a vocal coach privately and with professional schools including Mountview, Italia Conti and Jackie Palmer Stage School. Production work includes extensive recording and development projects for leading musical theatre directors, TV and theatre production companies.
GIGS+EVENTS: BIMM Graduate wins Total Guitar’s ’Guitar Wars’ final at Mr Wolfs! (Feb ’10)
BIMM Bristol held a ‘Night of Guitars’ on Thursday 18th February 2010. The event in conjunction with Total Guitar Magazine hosted the finals of the ‘Guitar Wars’ competition. BIMM ....
GUEST VISITOR: Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews visits BIMM (June 10)
Multi-award winner and Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews came into BIMM Bristol to run a masterclass and Q&A on his career. Ian talked about the pivotal moment when the band made it bi....
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