Julian was a child prodigy reed player. He was educated at the Latymer Music School and the London College of Music where he studied Clarinet with Wilf Keeley and Composition with William Lloyd Webber.
Julian made his TV debut with Acker Bilk when he was just 14. The show featured Julian's teenage Dixieland band "Young Jazz" that included the Sidwell brothers on Trumpet & Trombone, Paul Clarvis on Drums, Andy Cleyndert on Bass, Pete Neighbour on Sax and Sam Brown vocals. At 17 he formed a Modern Jazz quintet and toured Europe with Dave Cliff, Nick Weldon, Andy Cleyndert and Mark Taylor.
He has played on concert, club, festival and broadcast dates with his own bands and with:- Peanuts Hucko, Wild Bill Davison, George Chisholm, Kenny Ball, Don Lusher, Kenny Baker, Cleo Laine & Sir John Dankworth. He has recorded with;- Digby Fairweather, Paul Jones, Danny Moss, Sam Brown, Roy Williams, Jim Mullen, Marc Almond, Tommy Whittle, John Parricelli. George Melly, Craig Milverton, Joe Brown, 'Chas & Dave', Ken Peplowski, Dennis Locorriere, 'TheGrid' and the'SpiceGirls'! He has appeared at Wembley Arena with Meatloaf and in Monaco with Tina Turner.
Julian currently leads 'The Dream Band' his own exciting and melodic Latin-influenced jazz funk sextet featuring keyboard virtuoso Neil Angilley, Canadian Guitar star Dominic Ashworth, Bass ace Chris Dodd, stylish vocalist Jacqui Hicks and the dynamic Mike Bradley on Drums. They have recently returned from a successful European tour where they played the first ever jazz concert in Albania.
Julian has written over 30 TV jingles and documentary film scores. In Paris he arranged and conducted a big band album for Charles Aznavour. He has produced and performed on many audio books for children through Oxford University Press.
His first album 'Pathfinder' featuring John Parricelli, Dudley Phillips, James Bannerman and Ralph Salmins was distributed by Polygram.
Polygram TV released ‘Beach Samba' a Latin Classics dance album featuring Julian with an 18 piece big band and strings. Merfangle Music have released four albums featuring Julian and 'The Dream Band' - *‘Sundance’ a melodic easy listening album, ‘Blues for the Morning After’ a successful blend of blues, ballads, bebop and Latin jazz, which has had rave reviews. ‘LA Sunset’ a smooth and jazz funk album featuring Julian and The Dream Band aimed at the Californian market and 'A Time for Love' (The Crooner and his Clarinet) his debut vocal album.
Merfangle have also recorded two albums featuring Julian with American clarinet ace Ken Peplowski & The Craig Milverton Trio . A compilation of the best tracks from both albums 'The Best of the Clarinet Maestro's' is currently on the market as is 'ItsClazzical' Volume 1, an album of classic melodies and pulsating latin rhythms performed by Julian, 'The Dream Band' and Sonya Slany's 'Solid Strings'. 'ItsClazzical' Volume 1 features a hitherto unrecorded mini-concerto composed and arranged by Sir John Dankworth entitled 'A Lyric Fantasy". In July 2020 Merfangle will release a dynamic album featuring Julian, 'The Dream Band' and superb vocalist Jacqui Hicks recorded live at London's Chickenshed Theatre . 'ItsClazzical' Volume 2 will now be launched in 2021 .
His next projects will be a return to his roots to record 'Jazzin'Jolson', a fiery Chicago style album of Al Jolson's classic hit songs performed by a sparkling ensemble featuring trumpet ace Enrico Tomasso & pianist/vocalist Nick Dawson - and by popular demand a sequal to his vocal debut album featuring Dominic Ashworth and Neil Angilley.
Julian was voted 'Best Clarinettist' at the British Jazz Awards 2006/7 and 2019. His major influences have been Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Peanuts Hucko, Buddy De Franco, Eddie Daniels, Oscar Peterson - and Delius! Julian’s highly melodic music and unique sound reaches the younger audience while his soul, original writing and phenomenal technique on his instrument excites the jazz aficionados. "The best clarinettest to emerge in British jazz for decades" - Sir John Dankworth.
Representation: Berny Stringle
Phone: 01707 873078
Email: berny@merfanglemusic.com
I have followed Julian’s progress since he was a boy . Every time I hear him he gets better and better . I can hear his influences, but, with his beautiful delicate sound and perfect time, he really is ‘his own man’. With this album Julian has really arrived !
Stringle’s clarinet sound is exquisite; it has freshness, sparkle and a flute-like softness. At times he makes the clarinet sound re-invented. This breathtaking young clarinettist offers a future for the instrument in the jazz front line
Julian is a breathtaking clarinet player with faultless technique, inate harmonic judgement, and his own distinctive melifluous sound . He is a consummate artist, whose life has been dedicated to his craft. Today, his place among the ranks of the all- time great clarinettists is assured.
Julian has a very rare talent and a great band. I'm a big fan !
Julian is now one of the world’s great clarinet players – right up there with Eddie Daniels!
A wonderful talent ! A marvellous clarinettist ! In my eyes he’s a jazz great already . This CD is super! Congratulations Jules !
Julian is an outstanding talent. His playing, singing and composing are all equally impressive. His music, youth and good looks could attract a whole new young audience to jazz
Julian is an immense talent! Probably the best clarinettist to emerge in British jazz for several decades. His playing has ‘world class’ written all over it.
Julian is a thoroughly engaging and vibrant clarinettist. He’s got it all - sound, technique, ideas and feeling!
I really appreciate your taste and choice of music Julian. Your singing and playing are beautiful. Keep on doing it!