Gerry started playing saxophone at age 16, having bought a ‘C’ Melody instrument in a second-hand shop, and previously played recorder at school. Just before he went into the Army aged almost 18, he bought his 1st alto sax. He trained as a mechanic, then went to Germany where he was attached to The Royal Dragoons, which are now the Blues & Royals. He spent many night duties practising alto sax.
When Gerry left the Army, he moved to Ilford and joined a local brass band on Eb bass. The 1st concert band he played saxophone with was the South East Gas Board Band which rehearsed in the Old Kent Road. He then played with a T.A. band – The Surreys – but could not actually join as he was still on Reserve, and his trade grade was too high.
Aged 23, Gerry did an audition to join the Royal Air Force Music Services, and joined, hoping to go to the School of Music, only to find that they did not take anyone over the age of 21. He spent some time at the Headquarters of Music Services at Uxbridge, and from there was posted to Henlow in Bedfordshire, to join No. 4 Regional Band. He played all over the country, including Northern Ireland where he played in Belfast for the Lord Mayor’s Show several times and for the opening of Stormont. He also played on the Isle of Man for the opening of Tynwald Parliament and for the Freedom of Douglas. In Scotland Gerry played in Edinburgh several times, including a concert in Usher Hall, parades down Princes Street, on the Castle Esplanade in a massed band with the Marines, Gordon Highlanders and the London Irish. He played at countless Air Shows and parades, and with the massed bands of the Royal Air Force, including at the Royal Tournament. As the band he was in was the nearest to London, they did many route-linings for visits by various Heads of State, and played 5 times at the Lord Mayor’s Show. Gerry was fortunate to gain a lot of experience by playing with many good players and conductors, including Denzil Stephens who is now well-known in the brass band world.
Having completed 5 years’ service, Gerry had to leave the RAF for personal reasons, and eventually moved to Crawley where he played in various local bands and orchestras, including Crawley Light Orchestra where around 1971 he met Phil Knapp and Dave Lampard, who invited him to come to Horsham, where he has played 1st Alto ever since. He has guested with many bands including the London Fire Brigade, the Royal Engineers T.A. Band in Brighton, the Bristol Concert Wind Band. Gerry played 2nd alto with the Dennis Wright band for 2 years with whom he played at venues including Brighton’s Grand Hotel, the Hawth, the Windmill at Littlehampton, the Dome in Worthing, the Harlequin at Redhill; the band backed Kenny Baker in a series of concerts. Gerry currently also plays with the East Grinstead Concert Band which doubles as the Bluebell Railway Band. Gerry has taught many people to play – adults and children – including current and past members of the band. Also, since leaving the Royal Air Force, Gerry has taught himself to play clarinet and flute.