Since the mid 1970s Jeremy West has been a passionate advocate for the 17th century cornett, playing a lead role in re-establishing it as a virtuoso solo and ensemble instrument A pioneer in the field of historic brass, Jeremy is a founder member of His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts (1982), one of the leading, and most enduring, ensembles of its kind. He has been Principal Wind Player with the Gabrieli Consort & Players for their earlier repertoire since their foundation (also 1982) and has more than 100 recordings to his credit. In addition to a performing career which spans 50 years and which has taken him to 38 countries across 5 continents, since 1991 Jeremy has directed the instrument-making workshops of the late Christopher Monk, overseeing research, development, reproduction and world-wide distribution for all instruments in the cornett and serpent families. The workshop supplies the extraordinarily popular resin cornett – which enabled many of today’s top players to take their first steps.
Jeremy West has held teaching positions at the London Guildhall School of Music & Drama, The Royal College of Music and at The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff where he held the International Chair of Historic Performance. He is also a Musician in Residence at Girton College, Cambridge.
Additionally Jeremy plays Eb alto Saxhorn with the period ensemble Queen Victoria’s Consort. The group plays on Victorian and Edwardian instruments held by the Kershaw Collection in settings ranging from concert halls to steam trains.
