Flautist Rowland Sutherland enjoys an international career in many different fields of music. He regularly performs in jazz groups, various non-Western groups, pop outfits, new music ensembles, symphony orchestras and as a soloist. Many of Rowland's solo contemporary flute performances have been broadcast on BBC Radio 3. He has composed and arranged music for groups, ensembles and for the BBC.

As bandleader, Rowland leads several bands including the Brazilian influenced 'Mistura'. (Their album, Rowland Sutherland's Mistura - 'Coast to Coast' is out on the FMR label). As well as 'Creative Force', a six piece contemporary Jazz group, which features Orphy Robinson on vibes and uses Reggae, Afro Brazilian and African-funk rhythms. Rowland co-leads the quintet 'In Kimbe', with Sardinian vocalist Filomena Campus which explores Mediterranean and Brazilian jazz and free improv.

Rowland was a member of several eminent jazz outfits. These included the big band 'Jazz Warriors' founded by the prominent saxophonist Courtney Pine and Orphy Robinson's Sextet 'Annavas', appearing on their album 'When Tomorrow Comes' released by the legendary Blue Note label.

Rowland uses all four flutes in the large contemporary jazz ensemble, 'Arrange of Space', directed by composer Issie Barratt. He also solos with ex Art Blakey Jazz Messenger saxophonist Jean Toussaint in the dynamic raga 'n' beats Indian group 'Shiva Nova'.

Rowland's jazz experience also includes working in a number of collaborations, performances and recordings with other artists. These include touring with the legendary US saxophonist / bass clarinetist David Murray; recording with African master drummer Gaspar Lawal; playing with the 'Rebirth Brass Band' from New Orleans; recording with Pops Mohamed, master percussionist/multi-instrumentalist from South Africa; an historic jazz flute concert with US flautists Frank Wess and Ali Ryerson during the 1995 London Jazz Festival. In 1996 his tour with the Phoenix Dance Company concluded with performances at the Atlanta Olympic Games.

Rowland has also performed and or recorded with such British artistes as Byron Wallen, Dennis Rollins, Zoe Rahman, Steve Lawson, Denys Baptiste, B J Cole, Nikki Yeoh, Guy Barker and David Jean - Baptiste.

As a session musician, Rowland has enjoyed guesting on flutes for various artists' recordings over the years such as: George Benson, Incognito, Mezzoforte, MC Solaar, Keziah Jones, William Orbit, Melanie C, Roland Gift, Omar, Marc Almond and 'Colonial Cousins' (India). Rowland has also participated in various radio, TV and film soundtracks.

Rowland studied flute at the Guildhall School of Music mainly with Kathryn Lukas and studied jazz with the late Lionel Grigson in the mid 1980s. He is a flute tutors at the Trinity College of Music, Royal Northern College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

As an educator he has given consultations, workshops and coached at the Trinity College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Birmingham Conservatoire, Sussex, York and Durham Universities as well as The Centre for Young Musicians at Morley College. He is also due to give workshops in Bahia, Brazil in 2009.

In the classical field Rowland has performed with a number of new music ensembles and dance companies. These include: The New Music Players, Ixion, Icebreaker, Lontano, Uroboros, Music Projects/London, Phoenix Dance and Rambert Dance Company. Orchestras played with include: Philharmonia, Bournemouth Symphony, B.B.C. National Orchestra Of Wales, European Community Chamber, Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet and B.B.C. Radio.

"Flautist Rowland Sutherland has a superb sound and technique, and is undoubtedly one of the very best flautists on the British scene". TIME OUT.

ROWLAND SUTHERLAND SEXTET 2009

Friday 5th June 2009
Jazz Live at The Crypt, St. Giles Centre
81 Camberwell Church Street, London, SE5 8RB
Doors: 8pm
Tickets: £6/4 concs
Tickets Web: www.wegottickets.com/find/venue/crypt
Tel 020 7701 1016 Web www.jazzlive.co.uk

Led by the dynamic flautist Rowland Sutherland and featuring a special line-up of UK musicians to perform the finest blend of jazz with reggae, dub, funk, African and Brazilian grooves within colourful, pulsating originals making this sextet an experience not to be missed!

Rowland Sutherland – Flutes (George Benson, Incognito); Harry Brown – Trombone (Manu Dibango, Baaba Maal); Nick Ramm – Keyboards (The Cinematic Orchestra, Bembe Segue); Phil Dawson – Guitar (Khaled, Ed Motta); Dave O’Brien – Bass (Brian Abraham’s District 6, F-ire Collective); Rod Youngs - Drums (Hugh Masekela, Gil Scott-Heron)