A Day at the Races, a Night at the Opera - Julius Bannister, a violinist, spent 40 years in London's music business, playing for West End shows (Les Mis), opera, ballet, for the symphony, as a recording artist for blockbuster movies, and as a backing musician for pop and other entertainers. He estimates that he has made more than 10,000 recordings to date! Rather than blowing his own trumpet, Mr. Bannister charts the course from a child with a love of music, to actually becoming a professional musician. His first boss was Max Jaffa and today Mr. Bannister heads up Village Concerts that takes music into primary schools (essential, in this day an age, collaborating on projects with the former Children's Laureate, Anthony Browne) and provides live music in small rural village locations through a series of light music concerts with his Astor Palm Court group. Yes, of course he brings his violin, and entertains with a veritable chocolate box of music we have loved.

Book me in advance - or if disaster strikes, a speaker pulls out, call me with a couple of hours notice. Always leave a message IMPORTANT as I can often be in the recording studio where a mobile phone ringing can cause you an immediate £250 fine (ouch)