The student dreaming of playing in New York

Young double bass player Shivraj Singh tells DIANE PARKES about the support and expert guidance he has received as part of Birmingham’s burgeoning jazz scene

SHIVRAJ Singh knew from a young age that his life was in music – and he was fortunate to be given plenty of support to achieve his dreams. Today he plays jazz double and electric bass across Birmingham, teaches other youngsters and is looking at a bright future – and he is grateful to have been given helping hands along the way.

Shivraj, of Smethwick, first began playing music as a student at Shireland Collegiate Academy where he was given the chance to experiment with a number of different instruments – but he quickly fell for the double bass.

“I love playing it with other people and it has a special sound. It’s low and it gives a lift to all the rest of the music. It really resonates with me,” he says.

“I think there’s a special connection between bass and drums. When there’s that feeling of being locked and synchronised together I don’t think there’s anything like it.”

As a teenager Shivraj joined Town Hall Symphony Hall’s Jazzlines, a programme which offers young jazz musicians the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and to play with other young people.

He attended the Jazzlines Summer School, a week-long series of classes and sessions aiming to give young musicians the chance to develop their skills, their confidence and their networks. Shivraj also played with the Jazzlines Ensembles – groups of young musicians who learn and perform together, building up experience of appearing in public.

Here he learned from jazz musicians such as Percy Pursglove, Sarah Colman and Andrew Bain and took masterclasses with Nick Smart, Jean Toussaint, Hans Koller, Kit Downes, Joshua Blackmore and Chris Montague.

Jazzlines also gave Shivraj the chance to experience playing in a public forum as a member of the Jazzlines Trio performing at Symphony Hall’s Rush Hour Blues jazz sessions.

“Town Hall Symphony Hall played a major part in my development as a young musician,” he says. “Just by the simple fact of the connections and opportunities they’ve given me and the teachers they’ve put me in touch with. The efficiency of teaching you how to be a good musician but also the stuff outside the music like how to promote yourself is really important

A Jazzlines concert in the foyer of Symphony Hall with Shivraj Singh on double bass

if you want to be a musician.”

Shivraj was also supported by one of his music teachers at Shireland Collegiate Academy, Nicholas Marr, who taught him in extra lessons and encouraged him to apply for the Junior Department of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. After two years as a junior, Shivraj went on to study for a BA Honours Degree in Jazz at the Conservatoire.

“It’s hard to say where I would be if I hadn’t been given the support I was but I don’t think I would be as far along the road as I am now,” Shivraj says. “I always knew I wanted to do music so I think I would still be doing music. Mind you I always loved chemistry so who knows, I might have done that instead!”

While studying for his degree, Shivraj also used his Jazzlines knowledge and experience to launch a new jazz night at a restaurant and cafe right in the heart of Birmingham.

“When I was in first and second year at the Conservatoire I set up a jazz night at Cherry Reds, a fortnightly thing on Wednesdays, basically to give somewhere for students to play gigs. It’s really for third and fourth years students who are just coming out of the Conservatoire to have the chance to play their music.”

The jazz night has gone from

strength to strength but his final year workload has meant 22-yearold Shivraj has had to step back from its promotion to focus on his studies.

“It’s not run by me anymore but it’s still really strong – it’s getting better and better.”

Shivraj is a huge fan of Birmingham’s jazz scene, where he often plays concerts with other musicians and groups.

“I play the Eastside Jazz Club, Fizzle, The Spotted Dog, 1000 Trades – wherever there are jazz nights. There are multiple bands I play with – some are a lot more free and improvised and then others are music that’s really straight-ahead kind of jazz.

“Last year I played in the foyer of Symphony Hall with my own band and playing my own music – it was a great experience.”

Jazzlines also gave Shivraj the opportunity to do some teaching – an experience he really enjoyed and is keen to continue.

“It’s come full circle as I started with the Jazzlines Summer School and now I’ve done some teaching. I like seeing young musicians blossom and play like they never thought they could.

For Shivraj, jazz is a very special form of music.

“With jazz it’s the feeling of the groove, the time-feel, and the

chance to express yourself with music. It’s almost like speaking to one another. The communication between musicians really resonates for me.”

And it’s playing with other musicians, creating new and exciting sounds and partnerships which Shivraj loves about jazz. While he has many goals and ambitions there is one place he would really like to play – and it’s across the Atlantic.

“For me the dream has always been to move to New York and play music with the musicians there,” he says. “That for me would be the pinnacle of music-making because of the capabilities of some of the people there.

“It’s very different from the music here. It’s great here but in the US jazz has a different feel, a cultural significance. It’s like it’s ingrained in them that ‘this is our music’.

“It’s every musician’s dream just to play great music. All I want to do is to make great music and to have the facility and capability to play anything that is required of me.”

Jazzlines presents Shivraj Singh at Hall 5, The ICC, Birmingham on Friday, November 15. The event is free but booking is required. Visit www.thsh.co.uk/whats-on for more information.