JAMES ALLGROVE

TEACHER & PERFORMER

James Allgrove is a multi-instrumentalist who has taught and performed music for over 20 years. James teaches a variety of instruments which include Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, Keyboard and Accordian. James was Elias Sibley's Banjo tutor from the age of ten, and later the mandolin, prior to acceptance at Purcell School of Music.

James enjoys a wide spectrum of music genres ranging from classical to contemporary. James's foundation training is in Classical Banjo, which he studied with the late Alfred William Lane. This training has given James a sound basis to develop a full time music career based around teaching and performing.

ALFRED WILLIAM LANE 1880 - 1968

Born in London's "Drury Lane", and already playing and performing "Banjo" aged 7. He went on to study viola, violin and mandolin at Birbeck College, (Chancery Lane). He was the third banjoist in the country to broadcast with the "Claud Duval" dance band of the BBC. He then went on to take up a full time teaching post at Mather School of Music in Thornton Heath. It was said during this time that he had a pupil in every dance band in South London.