Christopher Gradwell was one of the most versatile musicians on the London musical scene for many years, being equally at home in symphony orchestra, theatre orchestra, recording studio or leading his own jazz band, the Little Big Band. Christopher is an experienced soloist on clarinet and saxophone, having appeared with the Philharmonia, Salzburg Mozarteum, Bayerischer Rundfunk and BBC Concert Orchestras, as well as the Thames and Handel Chamber Orchestras.
Christopher Gradwell has played regularly with the London Symphony Orchestra, the National Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Palladium Theatre Orchestra as well as for bandleaders Cyril Stapleton and Max Jaffa. He has taken part in many London shows including Phantom of the Opera and Bob Fosse's Dancin' at Drury Lane, where he took the part of Benny Goodman in Sing Sing Sing.
From 1969 to 1985 Christopher, together with the leader of the London Saxophone Quartet, Paul Harvey, championed the classical saxophone. Their efforts in promoting composition, concerts and recording, with teaching a high priority, won them international acclaim in the world of legitimate saxophone playing.
Christopher has been involved in a number of TV soundtracks for the BBC, including Dangerfield, Hetty Wainthrop Investigates and Just William and in recording a series of musicals called The Musicals Collection for EMI with the National Philharmonic Orchestra. In January 1999 he played clarinet on the second of two CDs of Nigel Hess's music, played by the London Symphonic Wind Band. This superb band, managed by Christopher Gradwell, is drawn from the top session musicians in London and features a clarinet section all playing English large-bore clarinets.
Christopher Gradwell has played Peter Eaton Elite clarinets since 1990. "I play Peter Eaton Elite clarinets because it is possible to produce a beautifully centered English sound, coupled with very good intonation and evenness. This is very important, as it gives me flexibility when playing in the widely different positions and styles that I find myself in, as a freelance musician. But mainly, I simply enjoy playing them, very much."
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