Biography of Big Band Byrne

Leaving For Home is the Debut CD from Colin. This CD holds seven wonderfully crafted tunes for Jazz Orchestra. With over-tones of Ellington and Mingus, Leaving For Home is a CD full of exciting compositions, soloists and contemporary big band music that will smack you in the face!

Colin Byrne was born in Cork city, Ireland in 1974 where he spent many years playing and touring with various bands. In 1995 he moved to Leeds, England and in 1999 he completed a BA degree in Jazz Studies at Leeds College of Music. In 2000 completed his M.Mus in Jazz Composition. The idea for Big Band Byrne was first conceived in June 1999 just as Colin Byrne was about to complete his B.A. degree in Jazz Studies at Leeds College Of Music. Colin had been writing prolifically during his degree years and had, without realising, produced the first few compositions for the exhilarating pad that Big Band Byrne uses today.

Friends of Leeds College of Music – Composer of the Year 1999 and The Yorkshire Television Arranger of the Year 1999. Resident drummer at The Duck and Drake Jazz Jam in Leeds, UK 2000-2003. Director of Cork Academy of Music jazz summer school, Ireland 2003-date. Works with students of all ages in workshops and master classes through his work for Artforms, Education Leeds. He published and distributed a drum tutor book, Think Drums in November 2005 and also Think Big Band Drums in December 2005.

He is currently composing and arranging for many ensembles in the North of England including Leeds College of Music’s Jazz Orchestra and Education Leeds’ Youth Jazz & Rock Orchestra. He is in high demand on the Northern jazz scene as a player, a composer and arranger.

Leaving For Home is the Debut CD from Colin. This CD holds seven wonderfully crafted tunes for Jazz Orchestra. With over-tones of Ellington and Mingus, Leaving For Home is a CD full of exciting compositions, soloists and contemporary big band music that will smack you in the face!