Aged 13, Shane fell in love with the drums.  He began learning the drums in year 8 at Sedgehill Secondary School, Catford, under the tuition of Robert Dodsworth and with a lot of help and encouragement from the schools head of music Tony Masters.

During this time Shane took part in the school's Brass ensemble, Jazz orchestra and a  Jazz combo that featured Nathaniel Facey. With these groups Shane had the opportunity to have live performance experience in school and local concerts and also touring America and Canada.

Shane also attended CYM (Centre for Young Musicians) at Morley College, Lambeth every Saturday from 1997 to 2001. At CYM he studied with session drummer Ian Greene, learned classical snare drum, timpani and the amazing triangle.  He also performed with the CYM Jazz Ensemble/Orchestra under the tuition of trombonist Mark Bassey.

During the school holidays Shane would attend GLYJO (Greenwich and Lewisham Youth Jazz orchestra) and performed at many concerts and events around London. GLYJO’s tutors were Eddie Parker, Tim Richards, Chris Bisco, Tommy Smith, Chris Bachelor, Mark Bassey, Gene Calderazzo, Steve Watts, Tony Marsh, Bosco De Rivera amongst others.

In 2001, Shane became the drummer for the group Tomorrow’s Warriors (a youth band run the Dune Music Company Ltd) which Featured Nathaniel Facey, Jay Phelps, Neil Charles and Gwilym Watkins. Tomorrow’s Warriors played at the Jazz Cafe in Camden, London every Sunday for 3 years as well as other performances around the UK and Sweden.

2003 to 2007 Shane studied a BMus in Jazz at Trinity College of Music, Greenwich, London. His drum tutors were Dave Wickens and Tristan Maillot.

Musicians/Projects

Robert Mitchel’s Panacea

"Since the age of 17 I have bought Robert Mitchell’s albums and watched him live and have always been in awe of his talent. In 2006 I began visiting Robert Mitchell for lessons about musical concepts with metres and cyclic applications. In 2009 I was fortunate to be asked to be the drummer in his Panacea group and have played venues such as Pizza Express, The Drum in Birmingham and The Vortex. We are excited about the upcoming album to be released September 2010 so look out for that and the 2011 tour."

Meridian 

"Is an experimental group/collective that formed in 2008 featuring Dave Preston, Tom Farmer and Hamadi Valdes. We play a fusion of Cuban, Rock and Jazz music and have played at the Vortex, Charlie Wright’s, Mau Mau and The Haggerston. Recordings still to come. "

TJ. Johnson (2004-2006)

"In this group we played more traditional jazz repertoire drawing from the 20’s and 30’s New Orleans style. We also played a lot of blues and gospel. I had a great time learning a lot of this repertoire and having the opportunity to play with a great band who are passionate about the authenticity of this style of music. This group extensively tours the UK and we played many Trad and Blues festivals all over the country."

Heidi Vogal

"I currently work with Heidi playing gigs around london at places like The Others, Vortex, Pizza Express, Guanabara and The Haggerston. We’ve also been to Belgium. In this group we play a lot of Brazilian and Latin jazz music. Most of the band members are Brazilian and I’m lucky to have them teach me the repertoire and nuances in this music. "

Andrea Pozza

"Andrea is an excellent pianist who resides in Genoa, Italy. You can find him with Enrico Rava, Steve Grossman and many others. I have recorded 2 trio albums with him the first we did in 2008 entitled 'Love Walked In' for 33 records. The 2nd will be released this year on Dejavu Records for a great Italian producer Paolo Scotti. I have toured/played with Andrea in Bologna (Chet Baker Club), Genoa (Count Basie Club) and Ferrara."

Cleveland Watkiss Trio

"Currently playing in this group. Cleveland is a virtuoso musician who writes challenging compositions and allows a lot of freedom from the musicians he works with. We have toured in Italy and Poland with this group and have played the London Jazz Festival (Queen Elizabeth Hall)."

Kevin Haynes

(since 2005) "In this group Kevin mixes Cuban and African spiritual music with jazz. As I have great respect for these traditions I find this project exciting and challenging. Kevin is also my Bata and Conga drum teacher (for free!). He has been a key figure in my musical learning and I feel privileged to have worked with him."

Alan Weekes and Brian Edwards group
 
(sincs 2002) "I play most Sunday nights at the Haggerston Bar (formerly Uncle Sams) with a quartet featuring Alan Weekes-Guitar, Brian Edwards-Tenor Sax and Ben Hazleton-Double Bass. We like to play the jazz standard repertoire as well as original music. This residency has been a great training field for me to develop my playing and the atmosphere and people there has always been a joy to be around."

Abram Wilson (2003-2006) – Recorded 'Jazz Warrior' and 'Delta Blues' on the Dune Record label. This group toured UK and Europe extensively. 

Others in smaller capacities:

Soweto Kinch
Performances around the UK and Croatia, we also done the sound track and acted in a commercial for Dewers Whisky in Prague, Czech Rep 2006.

Gary Crosby’s Nu Troop band

Mike Carr
British jazz old boy 3 recordings 2 live, 1 studio

Jean Tousaint
Performances in Cheltenham and London’s 606 club.

Byron Wallen
Performances at The Vortex.

Claire Martin
Performance at Pizza Express cross country touring 2007

Julian Joseph
British Museum

Dennis Rollins
Velocity Trio 2009

Courtney Pine
BBC documentary recording, Angel Recording Studio 2008.

Billy Jenkins

Andrew McCormack Trio
2006-2008 We gigged in Rabat in Morocco and London Pizza Express, Y Theatre, Leicester and many others.

Adam Bishop Quartet
1 album

Benet Mclean
Pizza Express, 606

Steve Williamson

Rasiyha
China White, Bologna (Bar Boca),

2000 Black
Bologna (Bar Boca), Belgium.

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