Paul is the odd man out in that he doesn’t live in West Cumbria. He actually comes from Southport but has close connections to the area, spending a large amount of his leisure time in Gosforth. Paul took up the trumpet in 1987 and since then has played in a variety of different bands and musical styles ranging from Dixieland jazz to soul and R’n’B. Over the last two decades Paul has shared the stage with such luminaries as drummer Eric Delaney, guitarist Gary Potter and trumpeter Janusz Carmello. In addition to running The La’al Big Band, he also plays in a number of leading North West bands including The long established Parade Jazz Band, Liverpool’s amazing Speakeasy Bootleg Band and the highly acclaimed Sounds 18 Orchestra. His musical influences include trumpet players Louis Armstrong, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Chet Baker and bandleaders such as Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Count Basie.

Stuart graduated from music college in 1977. He worked for Lancashire County Council’s Music Service as an instrumental teacher and, latterly, as part of the senior management team as the deputy manager for the service until his retirement in 2015.

Stuart was appointed as music director of the Lancashire Youth Jazz Orchestra in 1989.

As well as his commitments with the jazz orchestra, Stuart has played with many different bands, choirs and orchestras spanning a wide variety of musical disciplines from jazz to classical. He has worked with numerous professional musicians throughout his career such as Don Lusher, Kenny Baker, Tony Fisher, Digby Fairweather, Mark Taylor, Georgie Fame Andy Greenwood, Alistair White and Lee Gibson to name but a few.

After Anna was not allowed to join her infant school choir, and her teacher gave a disappointing report on her commitment and natural ability on the violin, she didn’t let that stop her. She played recorder with great enthusiasm in primary school and made the logical transition to trumpet at the age of 11 when it was found in her Grandma’s loft. Anna is originally from Liverpool but has been filling the St Bees air with music and wrong notes since moving there in 2004.

Beatrice played trumpet in the National Children’s Orchestra from the age of 9 to 14 and gained a place at the Royal Northern Junior School in 2007. After achieving a Distinction at Grade 8 in trumpet, Beatrice decided that it was time to start enjoying music and joined The La’al Big Band. She loves ensemble playing, especially blues numbers.