Neil Carter | |
---|---|
Birth name | Neil Andrew Carter |
Born |
Bedfont, Middlesex, UK |
11 May 1958
Genres | classical music, jazz, hard rock, heavy metal |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, examiner |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar, clarinet, saxophone, keyboard, flute, bassoon |
Associated acts | UFO, Wild Horses, Gary Moore |
Website | Official website |
Neil Andrew Carter (born 11 May 1958) is a musician who has worked in diverse genres throughout his 35-year career. Classically trained, he became a professional rock musician at the age of 17 and initially had his first "mainstream" experience with singer-songwriter Gilbert O'Sullivan. He subsequently played guitar and keyboard for the hard rock band UFO, blues rock guitarist Gary Moore, and Wild Horses. He is credited for co-writing a number of Gary Moore's songs including the worldwide hit "Empty Rooms". At 30 he left the rock world and has in recent years developed a different career as both teacher of woodwind (saxophone and clarinet) and as an ABRSM examiner. 2010 saw a return to rock with Gary Moore, playing festivals across Europe and a tour of Ukraine and Russia. Future tours and a Celtic rock album were to follow but this was curtailed by the death of Gary Moore in February 2011. He also plays other instruments including the flute and bassoon.
He taught at Brighton College, from January 1993 holding the position of "Head of Woodwind and Brass". He taught one-on-one lessons on clarinet and saxophone. Neil was the conductor of the school Concert Band, and the school Saxophone Ensemble and lead the School's Swing Band. Neil left Brighton College in June 2014 to move down to his home in Lanzarote. He will continue his work as an examiner for ABRSM.