Stuart Barker is a double and electric bass player who works regularly as part of the UK Jazz Scene. He took up the double bass at the age of 14 and the electric bass shortly after. A few years later he began playing in Rock, Pop and eventually Jazz ensembles including his own trio. He was also involved with Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra and had lessons under classical bassist, John Summerfield.
In 2016 Stuart graduated from Birmingham Conservatoire where he has received tuition from Arnie Somogyi and Mark Hodgson as well as various masterclasses and performances with the likes of Dave Holland, Jeff Ballard, Mark Turner and John Taylor.
Through this excellent guidance Stuart has gone on to perform with The Clark Tracey Quintet and Brandon Allen, amongst others. Stuart has performed at major venues including The 606 Club, The Spice of Life, Bratislava Jazz festival, Jazz Kitchen in Sweden, The Spotted Dog, Symphony Hall Birmingham etc. He has also performed at many UK jazz festivals, including, Cheltenham, Brecon, Marlborough, Southport and Derby, and has supported artists such as Laura Mvula. Alongside that he has also worked on television, notably BBC Three and Channel 4’s Made in Chelsea.
Stuart’s main focus is his quartet ULV, made up of Scandinavian and British musicians. The band have toured the UK and Europe and will soon be performing at Cheltenham Jazz Festival. As well as this Stuart also performs regularly with chordless saxophone trio YBY.
Stuart teaches beginners to advance players on double or electric bass, as well as music theory (jazz and classical), basic keyboard skills, ensemble coaching or composition.