The Music that Shaped Me

Music has always been a huge part of my life. Not just because it’s what I do for a living, but because it’s always been there. Certain songs and pieces of music have really stuck with me over the years — not necessarily because they’re the best, but because they landed at just the right moment.

So here’s the first five. A bit of a mix. No real logic behind the choices — just music that’s meant something to me for one reason or another.

You Get What You Give – The New Radicals (1998)

1998 was a great year. Not just for pop music — although I’ll argue all day that it was one of the best — but for me personally too. It was the year I went to boarding school. I walked the Coast to Coast trail across England. I felt about as grown-up as a 12-year-old possibly could.

This song was everywhere for me that year. It felt like an anthem — I had it on repeat constantly, blasting out of our dorm room window from a little CD player so we could hear it in the school garden. We probably drove everyone mad.

I remember my grandparents picking me up one weekend and we were talking about the song. They said they didn’t like the music much, but they did like the message. “You get what you give.” That little moment of agreement with them — especially about a pop song — meant a lot.

I still go back to this track when I need a boost. It reminds me of being on the edge of something new.

Nessun Dorma – Luciano Pavarotti

I’d heard Nessun Dorma plenty of times, but for a long time it didn’t really mean much to me beyond “that big opera tune.” I knew it was impressive — that voice is hard to ignore — but it felt like something for other people to enjoy.

Then it turned up on my Grade 3 trombone syllabus.

Up until that point, playing the trombone mostly meant long notes and low notes in the junior wind band. This piece was different. It was lyrical, emotional — it actually went somewhere. It was probably the first time I realised the trombone could be beautiful, not just loud. That it could sing, in its own way.

It changed the way I thought about the instrument. And honestly, it probably had a lot to do with why I stuck with it.

Turkish Bath – The Don Ellis Orchestra

I was early in my teaching career and went to an ABRSM CPD day. One of the sessions was about active listening — the idea of using music in lessons that students wouldn’t normally come across. They played Turkish Bath and asked us to figure out the time signature.

The band kicks in and people start counting — 7/4 — and the room of music teachers starts grooving along, quietly pleased with ourselves. Then the soprano sax and clarinet come in, and it’s a total curveball. Detuned. Slippery. Out of tune in a deliberate way. (I think it’s using quarter tones — someone can fact check that.) The whole room grimaced.

I absolutely loved it.

It was weird. Playful. Completely unexpected. It made me rethink what jazz could sound like, and what “musical” even means. It’s still one of my favourites — and a good reminder that if you’re making people uncomfortable, you might be onto something interesting.

The Hobbit – Symphony No.1 – Johan de Meij

I first played this with the Lincolnshire Youth Symphonic Wind Band in 2002, and I completely fell in love with it. The Howard Shore music for the Lord of the Rings films is great — no argument — but for me, this is the proper musical version of Middle-earth. Go on — change my mind.

The whole thing is uplifting and full of character, but there’s a moment about halfway through where a chorale kicks in. It’s simple. It doesn’t try too hard. And I honestly think those 32 bars might be my favourite bit of music ever written. It just works.

Years later, I got to conduct this movement with the University of Nottingham Wind Orchestra. That was a big moment for me — something I’d always wanted to do. One day I’d love to do the full symphony with orchestra. If anyone reading this has an orchestra going spare, let me know.

Twenty Something – Jamie Cullum (2004)

When I was not quite twenty something — and definitely not nearly 40 (oh dear) — this album came out and hit me right where it counts. The music was great, but it was the lyrics that did it for me. That mix of ambition, frustration, and uncertainty felt very familiar.

It hit hard enough that I ended up in a little jazz trio with a couple of friends from school — Rob and Ian — and we called ourselves Jamin the Sandwich. We were, if I’m honest, a Jamie Cullum tribute act. We played school events, concerts, whatever we could get away with.

I also sang Twenty Something at a jazz vocal workshop at Leeds College of Music around 2005. The band backing us were absolutely phenomenal — one of those rare times where you feel like you’re in good hands and can just enjoy the moment.

That song still takes me right back. It’s aged better than I have.

To Be Continued…

That’s five for now. I could have picked twenty, but I’ll save the rest for another post. It’s been good to look back on these — not just the tracks, but the memories that come with them.

I’m sure everyone has a few songs like that. I’d love to know yours if you feel like sharing.

And if you’re at a point where you want to get back into music — or start something new from scratch — give me a shout. You never know which piece might end up being your one.