Les Neish - Biography

“If ever there was a convincing advocate of the tuba, it’s Les.  His playing reaches out from the stage, picks you up by the scruff of the neck and says listen to me”  
Stephanie Hughes (BBC Radio)

“The player who most reminds me of John Fletcher today is Les Neish”
Bramwell Tovey (International Conductor)

Les Neish has become one of the leading tuba players of his generation.  His endeavours as a tuba player have gained him recognition as a soloist, chamber musician and educator throughout the world.  His career has been extremely diverse with highlights including a performance at Millennium Park, Chicago and even performing on an album with pop star “Sting”.

He gained a First Class Honours degree, a Professional Performance Diploma and a Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction from the Royal Northern College of Music Manchester and after graduating was taken onto the staff as a chamber music coach and tuba tutor at the RNCM Junior School.  As a past student of the RNCM and Junior RNCM, he really is delighted to take up these positions.

Les has really pushed the boundaries of tuba, being the first ever tuba player to be awarded the Worshipful Company of Dyers Award for Wind and Brass at the Royal Overseas League Competition and the being the first player to perform a solo tuba recital at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

His recent debut solo CD “Salt of the Earth” has been received to great critical acclaim, winning Brass Band World and British Bandsman Solo CD of the Year Awards and receiving airtime on BBC Radio 3.

Away from solo performance, Les is a member of the Fodens Band and is also privileged to be part of the tuba section of the world famous, American based, Brass Band of Battle Creek.  His busy playing schedule already has performances in France, Germany, Belgium, Michigan, Virginia, Arizona and Chicago in 2010.

As a chamber musician, Les has performed with the UK’s leading ensembles, including Fine Arts Brass, ONYX Brass, Tubalaté, NEMO and Polyphonic Brass. 

Les is dedicated to raising the profile of an instrument that is sometimes forgotten at the back of an orchestra.  He really is proving that the tuba has so much more to offer!!