Russell Kemp

Russell began learning trumpet at the age of 11 whilst a pupil at Claremont School, Hastings, and also started piano lessons there the following year. Aged 13, he joined Battle Town Band on 3rd cornet, before moving on to 2nd cornet and then on to solo cornet. He also played for Battle Youth Brass, Hastings Area Youth Symphony Orchestra and Wind Orchestra, and briefly played principal cornet for the East Sussex County Youth Band.

Returning to Battle Town Band after three years away at Reading University (where he played trumpet for the University of Reading Symphony Orchestra) and a year studying in France, he moved onto Flugel Horn where he stayed for the next 20 years. During that time he was the band chairman, treasurer and contest secretary - often all at the same time!

Russell joined Cranbrook Town Band on solo cornet in February 2018 after tentatively agreeing to dep for the SCABA contest (having hardly played cornet for 20 years!) and enjoyed it so much he decided to stay. He also plays trumpet for the Sussex Concert Orchestra, Opera South East, Hastings Sinfonia, and the occasional Cinque Ports Brass.

On a Sunday morning, he can be found attempting to play the Church Organ at St Mary Magdalene Church, Whatlington.