Contraband are:
Vicky Wadsworth - Vocals
Andy Lawrenson - Violin, Guitar
Jonathan Haslett - Piano
Rob Steel - Double Bass
Richard Miles - Drums
Every member of Contraband is a professional musician
Vicky gained a music scholarship at Queen Mary's School, Thirsk, where she studied voice, piano and violin. She was Head Chorister in the School Chapel Choir, and went on to work with the National Youth Training Choir. She has gigged extensively at village halls and festivals, and now sings full time with Contraband.
After graduating with a Music Major Creative Arts degree in 1989, Andy has worked as a performer, workshop facilitator and teacher at festivals, hotels, town centres, barns, rugby clubs, schools, art centres and village halls. Always a gigging musician, he has worked extensiviely in the UK, Europe and as far afield as Bulgaria as a Jazz, Folk and Country Violinist. He also runs workshops and teaches guitar, bass guitar and violin in schools in North Yorkshire.
Richard is a natural all round musician who has played and toured both Spain and USA with the Northallerton College Jazz ensemble. In November 2008 he played the Royal Albert Hall as part of the College Dixieland Jazz Band. Richard also plays piano, bass and mandolin, and when not out with Contraband, regularly plays in theatre shows.
Rob's background as a chorister and pianist has led to him playing in many varied groups and situations all over Europe. After Studying for a Diploma in music, Jazz is now where his focus lies. Rob is a guitar teacher and Community music workshop leader by day, Contraband musicician by night!!
Jonathan studied music at Queens University, Belfast, and graduated in 2003. Over the last few years he has been involved with various ensembles playing a wide range of styles and genres, from large orchestral works to country bands.
He has extensively played the UK and Ireland with Irish country band New Moon In recent years he has worked with Irish Country Music star Margo O'Donnell and Scottish Singer-Songwriter Isla Grant
