About Us
Vieux Carré are comprised of Ben Fisher on acoustic guitar and John Seeley on clarinet/saxophone. Below is a short biography of both musicians.
John Seeley
John Seeley started learning the clarinet at a young age, and while studying for his A levels decided to take a fifth in music and pursue a career in music. He went on to study at the prestigious Dartington College of Arts, a leading contemporary arts college where he studied with musicologist Frank Denyer and Bob Gilmore. While there he became more focused on jazz through his work with jazz pianist Lewis Riley and clarinettist Charlie Hearnshaw, whilst continuing his classical clarinet with Michael Langdon-Davis.
While studying for his degree he started teaching jazz workshops with a youth project called SaMS, and took up the tenor saxophone while performing with various university groups. During this period he undertook research projects spending six weeks in New Orleans, where he recorded regularly around the city, attended Xavier University, conducted interviews that concluded in a portfolio on the cultural and musical aesthetics of New Orleans.
After leaving university he studied with clarinettist Richie Howard, and then pursued an MA in music at Middlesex University where he studied with composer Francois Evans, and wrote projects on Postmodernism in Jazz, the Cultural Aesthetics of Free Jazz, The Devising of a Jazz Workshops, and the musical style of BBC rising-star tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett.
He now studies with Simon, Paul Dunmall and Alan Barnes, teaches privately and workshops with the Southend Jazz Co-op, writes articles on aspects of jazz, and as well as his work with Vieux Carré he takes part in a range of performances and recording projects with various groups and artists, including Interplay.
Ben Fisher
Ben Fisher comes from a musical background. His Dad was a session player at Abbey Road Studios. Ben spent much of his youth surrounded by music and musicians, by either hanging around at his Father's gigs or listening and learning in the studio.
Like his Dad, Ben started out on the drumkit. By the age of twelve he had decided to take the guitar more seriously, and since then has spent many hours paying his dues and playing professionally. He has played everywhere, from restaurants, bars, to performance halls. Ben has also spent a lot of time performing in New York City and Paris.
He has a wide taste in music and is comfortable adapting to different styles. The various musical situations Ben has found himself in include : Blues, Soul, Bluegrass, Rock, Heavy Metal, Folk, Country, Jazz and Funk.
And when he is not busy with Vieux Carré, Ben writes and performs his own material and can be seen in the studio, working as a session player for other people.
