Wes began playing the cornet at the tender age of 4 years. His whole family were brass players in the Salvatiion Army and he joined the junior band as soon as he could read. His first teacher was his sister Wendy and her husband John Britan. His cornet playing flourished in such a great musical environment as the Salvation Army and during his teens, Wes decided that music was going to be his career.
In 1973 on moving to London, he joined the Upper Norwood band and was invited to become a member of the Salvation Army International Staff Band. During this time he undertook many solo engagements including a solo tour to Canada accompanied by Peter Ayling.
He studied trumpet whilst at London University with Andrew Hendrie (BBC Symphony Orchestra). In 1981 Simon Rattle appointed Wes to the CBSO where he has served as second trumpet (playing first as required) for 19 yrs. He has also played as a guest player with most British orchestras.
Wes’s interest in arranging and composing began whist at college and has developed in recent years especially with his association with the Prince of Wales Brass for whom he has composed and arranged a wide variety of music.
