Biography of Clare Hirst

Clare was born in Cumbria and studied piano and clarinet until managing to get hold of a saxophone. She moved to York and then to Leeds before eventually making it to London where a successful career in pop music ensued.

Having written and played on many recordings with artists such as David Bowie, The Communards, Mica Paris, and Maxi Priest, she spent some time working with Mervyn Africa before embarking on a solo career based around her Quartet.

Since then she has played with many of the country’s finest jazz musicians including David Newton, Alan Barnes, Clare Teal, Mark Nightingale, Don Weller, Art Themen, Phil Lee and Dick Pearce. She has performed concerts in USA, Japan, and extensively in Europe including many TV performances. Her performance with David Bowie on Live-aid can be seen on the soon to be released Live-aid DVD.

Being mainly self-taught she brings an original approach to her compositions and performances. Her experience with such a diverse mixture of musical styles ranging from salsa to reggae to funk and African music, along with a heavy influence from jazz players such as Sonny Rollins and Chick Corea, has created a unique style.

The Clare Hirst Quartet has performed at many festivals, clubs and arts centres throughout the country. She currently has two CD’s out on 33 Records. The first entitled “Tough and Tender” 33jazz025 by the Clare Hirst Quartet, and the new cd out now by Clare Hirst and Hilary Cameron called “Summer Song”