Born in Stafford in 1958, Chris Gumbley was educated at Walton High School, then at Huddersfield School of Music (1976-79) studying clarinet & piano. He has been a peripatetic woodwind teacher, including at Newcastle-under Lyme School, Stoke-on-Trent College and for Staffs Education Authority. He has had a diverse range of freelance performances, mostly on the saxophone, including theatre work, classical recitals, jazz gigs, Temptations/ 4 Tops U.K. Tour '03 , Saxtet, B.C.M.G., English Chamber Orchestra, Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Berkley Salon Ensemble.
At present he is Saxophone & Composition Teacher at Birmingham Conservatoire, an Examiner for the Associated Board, Director of Stafford International Jazz Festival, a Coach for the Staffs Youth Wind Orchestra and does Freelance performances. He is also Arts Adviser to West Midlands Arts. He continues with Private Teaching of saxophone, clarinet & jazz piano.
His special interest is in Jazz, leading to his establishment of Gumbles Jazz Club in 1987 to promote contemporary jazz in the Midlands, the establishment of an annual jazz weekend - and various one-day courses - in the Midlands, and the writing of educational - and more 'serious' - music for wind instruments.
