OC Magazine, Issue 6, 2020

OC | 22

FROM JAZZ CLUB TO HYDE PARK In 2015, Linus Fenton (13) played with Ward Thomas to 55,000 people in Hyde Park at a Radio 2 festival. He was about to embark upon a European and US tour with Jade Bird when the music industry was unexpectedly put on hold in March 2020.

Linus’ first experience of jazz was Churcher’s Jazz Club. ‘Trousers’, aka George Trowsdale (12), was in the band and recommended some jazz and Linus found that he really enjoyed playing improvised music. Having met Luke Prosser (14), Seth Parsons (13) and Jed Saunders (13) in his first year, he took up playing bass just to be in a band with them and he considers them his first teachers.

Fast forward seven years and Linus has graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with a degree in jazz electric bass and double bass. He has spent the last couple of years playing with Jade Bird and Luke Prosser.

“It has always been a dream to pursue a music career but it has only slowly become more realistic. I considered doing a maths degree, but when I got accepted to music college, I decided to give it a go.”

When asked for his advice to anyone wanting to pursue a career in the music industry Linus added: “There’s no correct path, just do what feels right at the time and follow your heart. Consider other options unless you really love music, then give it your full commitment… Listen to lots of music and be friendly, cool, considerate, organised and passionate.

Don’t feel alienated by people who have ‘normal’ jobs.”