Our Bass Section

Simon Howell - Eb Bass

Simon was born in Swansea, South Wales, and began playing brass from an early age. He soon progressed through the West Glamorgan Music Service, gaining principal chairs with the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales and National Symphonic Brass of Wales.

After studying at RWCMD, he furthered his education by recently graduating from The Royal Academy of Music, London, studying under Patrick Harrild (LSO). During his time at the Academy he won various brass prizes including the Mark Elliot Brass Prize and the MA Maud Morgan Award. Simon enjoys playing with a wide range of ensembles which has seen him perform on live broadcasts on BBC Radio, Channel 4, S4C and ITV Television and session recordings for TV commercials including "Mcdonalds". This has seen him work with numerous celebrities including Rick Wakeman, Sir Roger Moore and Dame Felicity Lott and is an extra the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal National Scottish Orchestra.

Kazuyuki Kouno

Kazu was born in Tokyo, Japan and began playing Tuba in his junior high school wind orchestra club. Kazu started his banding in Senzoku college of music band in 2006.

In 2008, the college planned to go to the U.K to join the International Brass Band Summer School in Swansea, and he joined it. As a result, he planned to return after the summmer school to learn more about British brass bands.

After he graduated at college, he started to play tuba in Japanese brass bands as preparation for his plans to study in the UK. He joins us from the Tongwynlais Temperance Band

Fraser Bish - Bb Bass

I started playing at school as a 12 year old on Baritone, but the only position at my local band (BSC Port Talbot) was on Eb Bass, so I switched instruments and through my tutor, Peter Shepherdm gained a position in the band. I spent 11 years at BSC PT on Eb bass until I was approached by Lewis Merthyr in 1989 and offered the position of principal Eb. This I took & spent 2 years with the band gaining experience of Championship brass playing.

In 1991, as well as playing for Lewis Merthyr I got involved with "The Glamorgan Brass Consort" Quintet which consisted of Chris Parry & Adrian Morton on Trumpets, Alun Williams (sledge) on French Horn, John Ward on Euphonium & myself on Eb bass. We had tremendous times at home & abroad and also produced a cassette!! In the same year (1991), I recieved a phone call from Adrian Morton who was then the principal Cornet of Parc & Dare to play BBb bass in a concert, but I explained that I had never blown a BBb before but he said they were desperate and before I knew it I was blowing BBb bass & became a member of Parc & Dare Brass Band.

Three years down the line (1994) & lots more experience gained from playing with a quality band I was poached by Tredegar Town Band and offered the principal BBb Bass position within the band. This I took without a second thought as Tredegar at the time were the band of the 90's and had a maestro in front of the band in Nicholas Childs. I really enjoyed my time with Tredegar & gained some unforgettable contest/concert performances and forged some lasting friendships within the band.

In march 2000 I was approached by Cory & offered solo BBb bass with a band that was creating quite a stir and recruiting some awesome players around the stands. This position I accepted as from the age of about 10 my main ambition was to play for a famous brass band and win the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain at the Albert Hall.........well you all know how the story turns out & suffice to say im a very happy/proud chappy indeed !!!!!!

Whilst being a bass player with all the bands I've mentioned - my other love is rugby and from the age of sixteen until I was 30 I played Tight Head Prop for schools XV, Taibach youth, Wales youth, Taibach 1&2 XV, Aberavon RFC & Welsh Districts where I gained many honours and trophies which I am also proud about.

Nick Wills - Bb Bass

Nick started playing in Cornwall with Helston Town Band during the 80’s under the guidance of Keith Busby and Edward Ashton. He was also part of the Cornwall Youth Brass Band under Richard Evans, Roy Newsome and Ray Farr to name just a few, and it was here that he got invited to join Camborne Band under the baton of Steve Sykes and tutelage of Michael Weeks enjoying numerous successes and Royal Albert Hall appearances.

In 1990 Nick joined the Royal Navy and took a 16 year musical break, he was fortunate enough during his career to travel the world and play lots of Rugby representing the Navy and Combined Services on numerous occasions. Nick was also part of the World Record breaking Devonport Field Gun Crew in the last Royal Tournament held in Earls Court in 1999 to which he is very proud.

After retiring from the Navy, Nick moved to Cardiff with his family and was invited to join the Tongwynlais Temperance Band. During his 6 years with the band many in the role of Band Manager, Tongwynlais went from strength to strength winning the National First Section and Pontins Championship in 2009, also qualifying for the RAH National Finals and British Open in 2010.

Nick made his debut with the Cory Band during Holland Brass 2011, in which the Band made a very rare appearance in the World Famous Amsterdam Concertgebouw Hall.