Courtney Pine

Born: 18 March 1964, London 
Marital status & family: Married
Best known as: One of Europe's top jazz musicians 
Honours & accolades: OBE

Courtney Pine is without doubt one of Europe's finest jazz musicians. Educated in London he went to junior school in Edgware and then Kingsbury school in North London.
"My first instrument was, like a lot of kids, a recorder. I liked the idea of a wind instrument, which is what directed me to the saxophone," said Pine.
"I had a good clarinet teacher at school, and a couple of teachers outside like Rex Ruttley and Matt Tonto, they helped me work on my playing and get an A-level in music.
I would have loved to go to college but things didn't quite work out like that. My first real job was at Sainsbury's. I was meant to be working one Friday and the manager told me I could either turn up and keep my job or do my music work and leave.
"The gig was supporting the pop group Madness playing at the Rainbow theatre in London - I had no choice - I played the gig."
Courtney has since played the Apollo theatre in Harlem, New York as member of Art Blakey's group, The Jazz Messengers, played before Nelson Mandela the former ANC president of South Africa and is a world famous jazz recording and performance artist.
He adds: "I wish I could have played alongside people like Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Max Roach and other giants of jazz, but my advice to aspiring musicians is to practise and listen to other musicians. It's amazing what you can learn from others."