Roan Kearsey-Lawson's Biography
Famous Virtuoso Vibraphone Player - Pianist - Composer - Band Leader - Orchestral Percussion and More...
Biography
Roan Kearsey-Lawson
MA, MA, BA Hons, FISM
“Roan Kearsey-Lawson is a talented multi-instrumentalist and composer from Kent (UK)…who has three University degrees in Music and Social Science, Mysticism and Religious Experience, and Systematic Theology” (Ian Maund, 2014). Roan is an experienced multi-genre musician too, performing different instruments with countless famous performers in their respective fields,
including in Jazz, Classical, Theatre, Pop, World-Music and Film, in a wide variety of concert situations and venues in the UK and abroad. His music has been broadcast on Radio and TV, and he has composed for Pop music and a film score. Indeed, Roan proves to be all things to all people, the master of all trades and jack of none!
Multi-Instrument, Multi-Genre, this means Roan's biography is long! Of course you should read it all, but if you can't be bothered, it's arranged into instrument category, pick the instrument you've booked him on or are interested in and see what he gets up to! Scroll down too for a couple of short version biogs!
Vibraphone Biography
Credited by the Club for Acts and Actors (2017) as “one of the world’s greatest vibes players”, Roan is certainly a world class Jazz Vibes performer with a vibrant, energetic approach to performances. In addition to jazz, he works on Vibes in Classical, World-Music and Pop music. As an experienced jazz entertainer working in the UK and abroad with his own bands and as a visiting virtuoso artist, from his earliest Jazz experiences, he worked with the likes of UK performers Tony Coe, Don Rendell, Digby Fairweather, and Scott Hamilton, Darius Brubeck and Marlene Verplanck from the USA, to name only a very few, and has gone on to work with a countless number of famous jazz musicians.
Performances on vibes have included many festivals and clubs such as the Royal Albert Hall Ignite concert series, Spice of Life in Soho, Alby Jazz Norway, Herne Bay Jazz Festival, Ealing Jazz Festival, Swanage Jazz Festival, and many more. Performing vibes live, on both TV and Radio, and with three feature length BBC Radio shows broadcast about his jazz vibes and composing, he has recorded many of his own jazz and classical albums featuring the vibes, and as a session musician has recorded on other jazz and blues artists recordings as far afield as Sweden, and in the UK pop music industry.
Piano Biography
Credited on Piano as a BBC Orbit Artist, Roan’s Classical piano music has been broadcast on BBC Radio and BBC Sounds. He also appeared on BBC TV performing his own piano music during his time working at Finchcocks Piano Museum. In 2025 at the inaugural Rainham St Margaret’s Piano festival, with his solo piano performance “Concert of Peace”, Roan is featured on the same festival bill as the Kanneh-Mason’s, Dominic Ferris, Curtis Stiger and Julian Joseph. As a solo and visiting artist, his classical Piano repertoire is exclusively his own musical compositions. An emphasis on touch, tone, feeling and the communication of the introvert to the listener,
using his own ‘classical conversationalism’ technique, and taking inspiration from the likes of Chopin who spent much of his performing career improvising his own piano works to audiences, Roan’s classical piano performances are focused on his own compositions, their meaning and the delivery of this meaning to the audience. Ever the eclectic, including several of his own classical piano recordings, Roan has also recorded sessions in the Pop industry on Piano, performed regularly in comedy shows and German Oom Pah band, and in various jazz trios and duos, plus solo piano cocktail music in diverse venues such as the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh to the Kent County Show!
Timpani & Percussion
Biography
An established and well-respected Timpanist and Orchestral Percussionist, Roan performs for many classical orchestras, choral societies, classical groups, ensembles, wind orchestras and brass bands to competition level. In the classical world he has worked with many high-profile artists and singers such as the Carducci Quartet, fellow percussionists Prof. Julian Warburton and Globe Theatre’s Phil Hopkins, and numerous singer soloists including in 2025 fellow college alumni singer Matthew Rose and Pianist Anna Tillbrook. Roan has recorded Timpani for the East London Sound Ensemble and in musical theatre backing west end actress Gina Beck.
He has performed in countless theatre musicals on timpani, tuned percussion and auxiliary percussion from a Cat in the Hat to Sweeney Todd and everything in between. On xylophone, an instrument not known for dynamic capabilities, he is noted for his ability to draw out a large dynamic range, something for which the composer of music he performed for the Turner Museum noted. Performing percussion, including latin and auxiliary percussion, for many years in the musical balloon band Children’s show, he has performed at Arts Theatre in London’s West End, the Ivy Club Soho London, residency at the Fairfield Halls Croydon, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Royal Concert Halls in Nottingham where they won an award for Children’s services, and many, many, more theatres and festivals across the UK.
Marimba Biography
Roan studied Marimba at University gaining a First-Class degree. For many years he was a member of the Guyanese world music band the ‘Macusi Players”, a band featuring the likes of Aref Durvesh (Joss Stone fame), Jo-Jo Yates (Reggie Yates fame) and saw him perform many times at London’s Ealing Festivals, Enfield Festival, and Southampton Festival. Roan has also performed South African music on Marimba with South African Piano and Harmonica ace Adam Glasser. As well as his own recordings, Roan has recorded Marimba for the East London Sound Ensemble and with jazz Trumpeter and presenter Digby Fairweather and his band.
Drum Kit Biography
A versatile, experienced drummer in every genre. Much of Roan’s early career earnings was as a professional drummer. Roan’s first paid performances at age 16 were in musical theatre, followed by New Orleans style music in London and ballroom dance bands. He has performed with the who’s who of famous jazz musicians, countless theatre musicals from Hairspray, Return to the Forbidden Planet, Slice of Saturday Night, Disco Inferno, Jesus Christ Superstar and so many more in between,
in Pantomime with famous TV actors, in disco bands, second line New Orleans, brass bands, military bands, folk bands, swing dance bands and classical groups. From performing at Southwark Festival on Tower Bridge stage in London age 19, to Ealing Festivals, the famous Fanfar'Folizzz funky Brass Band Festival in France, performing at London 2012 Olympics and even playing on a traffic island and the roof top of a tall building, there is very little Roan hasn’t done on Drum Kit.
Composer Biography
Roan has composed numerous pieces for Piano, Chamber group, and Jazz Bands. Most of Roan’s music found on major streaming platforms are his own compositions ranging from classical, to jazz and crossover. Roan has also been commissioned in the pop industry including writing for a string quartet, and in film where he wrote and recorded a short film score. "I wanted to use a string quartet and having got to know and work with maestro Roan Kearsey-Lawson...I asked him to write a score...I wasn't disappointed. Tastefully scored and beautifully played" (Glenn Prangnell, Trouserphonic Records).
Recordings Biography
Roan has recorded many sessions over the years for different people (some mentioned above) and has many albums and EPs which can be found on all major streaming platforms released through his 144Records label and distributed by the AWAL label. Most notable in recent years, his recordings feature himself only, where during covid-19 lockdown he developed the technical knowledge and ability to record himself in layers, as if he were recording a group of musicians. In other words, he is performing all the instruments, and in some cases using sampled sounds performed on the keyboard for instruments he doesn’t have.
A difficult task to be the composer, sound engineer and performer, especially having to imagine the other instruments in his head whilst recording the first instrument, and then mixing and mastering the recording afterwards, but a task he finds is good for his musicianship. Never one to rest up, he is now learning the bass guitar and intends to learn a new instrument every few years to challenge his brain to experience the frustration of knowing about music but not knowing how to apply it to an unfamiliar instrument and thereby keeping the learning curve of his brain functioning into old age!
Business Biography
Roan’s 144 Music Services, which includes 144Records and for many years up to 2020 the award winning 144Club, has exposed the music business to him from all sides: performer, promoter, label, publisher, commercial contracts, customer service, audience growth, as well as artistic development. He has managed bands, promoted concerts, ran jazz clubs for 18 years, the Maritime Jazz festival for 4 years, and provided live music for commercial clients from product launches to award ceremonies, for clients like M&S, Debenhams, the Police, the Army, Airforce and many others. He was even a vibraphone live window display at House of Fraser in London’s Victoria Street!
End of Roan Kearsey-Lawson Biography!
Well, there are Short versions below, and below that, some extra information for insomniacs!
Jazz Industry Biography (Short Version)
Virtuoso Vibraphonist - Described as "one of the world's greatest vibes players" (Club Acts & Actors 2017).
Roan is a Multi-Genre, Multi-Instrumental, Performer and Composer.
In jazz he has worked with dozens of high profile artists. Americans include Scott Hamilton, Darius Brubeck, Greg Abate, Marlene Verplanck and Daryl Sherman.
In the UK Roan has spent many years learning from old masters, performing alongside the likes of Don Rendell, Duncan Lamont, Harry Beckett, Tommy Whittle (and many more late greats), plus John Etheridge, Digby Fairweather and dozens more, too numerous to mention here.
Roan has performed jazz at many clubs and festivals in the UK and abroad in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall Ignite Concert Series and Spice of Life in London, with festivals including many appearances at London Ealing Jazz Festival, plus at London Southwark, Coventry, Herne Bay, Swanage and more festivals.
His recorded jazz music has been featured on BBC Radio in three one hour programmes. As well as sessions on albums for other artists he has many albums featuring his own compositions.
"Whether on drums or vibraphone, my friend Roan Kearsey-Lawson is one those new-generation musicians who restores your faith in the finest qualities of jazz music from Swing to bebop and beyond" (Digby Fairweather, August 2017)
Career Biography (Short Version)
Virtuoso Performer & Commissioned Composer.
Industries include Classical, Jazz, Theatre, World, Pop & Film.
Instruments include Vibraphone, Piano, Drum Kit, Timpani, Marimba, Orchestral Percussion, Latin Percussion and more recently Bass Guitar.
In jazz Roan has worked with the who's who of the jazz industry with dozens of artists from across the globe.
In Classical Roan has enjoyed a full and varied career as a Timpanist and Percussionist in many orchestras and groups including performing at the Broadwood Piano Festival.
In Pop Roan has recorded sessions on Piano, Vibes and Percussion "The Groovy Uncle asked Roan Kearsey-Lawson to create a vibes part for 'Consider it Done'...laying down the track in one take, in fact it took longer to get the vibes in and out of the studio! Nice! Great!" (Glenn Prangnell, Groovy Uncle).
In Theatre Roan has performed Drum Kit and Percussion in numerous musicals and shows in many theatres from Arts Theatre West End to Theatre Royal Margate. Performances have also included Pantomime with famous TV stars and comedy shows.
As a composer Roan has been commissioned in the Pop industry and has written and recorded a film score. He has recorded numerous albums of his own compositions too. "I wanted to use a string quartet and having got to know and work with maestro Roan Kearsey-Lawson...I asked him to write a score...I wasn't disappointed. Tastefully scored and beautifully played" (Trouserphonic Records).
Notable Jazz Performers Roan Kearsey-Lawson has performed or recorded with:
Sax/Flute/Clarinet Players: Scott Hamilton, Alan Skidmore, Don Rendell, Tony Coe, Duncan Lamont, Tony Kofi, Jean Toussaint, Alan Barnes, Don Weller, Art Themen, Ducan Lamont Jr, Osian Roberts, Jo Fooks, Jimmy Hastings, Geoff Simkins, Karen Sharp, Robert Fowler, Chris Biscoe, Andy Panayi, Derek Nash, Martin Speake, Allison Neale, Dave O'Higgins, Sam Mayne, Tracey Mendham, Simon Spillett, Paul Booth, Greg Abate, Tommy Whittle, Mornington Lockett, Benn Clatworthy, Brandon Allen, Nigel Hitchcock, Frank Griffith, Julian Marc Stringle, Charlotte Glasson, Pete Hurt, Kelvin Christiane, Matt Wates, Alex Garnett, Pete Long, Steve Rubie, Nadim Teimoori, Tommaso Starace, Serge Lippens, Tim Collinson, Theo Travis, Matt Telfer, Dave Black, Sam Walker, Trish Clowes, Tori Freestone, Martin Hathaway, Keith Waithe, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Michael Coates, Riley Stone-Lonergan, Mick Foster, Gareth Lockrane, Josh Kemp, Stan Saltzman
Trumpet Players: Digby Fairweather, Enrico Tomasso, Harry Beckett, Nick Smart, Jay Phelps, Steve Waterman, Steve Fishwick, Janusz Carmello, Dick Pearce, Shanti Paul Jayasinha, Henry Lowther, Ray Butcher, Reuben Fowler, Henry Armburg-Jennings, Andy Gibson, Martin Shaw
Singers: Frank Holder, Marlene Verplanck, Jeff Hooper, Daryl Sherman, Trudy Kerr, Tina May, Lee Gibson, Anita Wardell, Ingrid James, Yots K, Polly Gibons, Laura Zakian, Anton Browne, Barbara Jay, Shane Hampsheir, Sarah Ellen Hughes, Juliet Kelly, Verona Chard, Zoe Gilby, Sumudu, Sue Rivers, Sarah Moule, Kai Hoffman, Jimmy Cannon.
Trombone Players: Mark Knightingale, Mark Bassey, Malcolm Earl Smith, Geoff Mason, Nick Mills
Piano: Darius Brubeck, John Pearce, Mike Garrick, John Horler, Jonathan Gee, John Critchinson, Rob Barron, Dorian Ford, Kit Massey, Mike Hatchard, Will Bartlett, John Crawford, Chris Jerome, Anders Arum, Dave Rees-Williams, James Hayes, Liam Dunachie, Craig Milverton, Nick Peck, Ted Beament, Chris Neill, Gareth Williams, Mike Gorman
Guitar: John Etheridge, Jim Mullen, Karl Orr, Dominic Ashworth, Nigel Price, Dave Cliff, John Myhill, Shane Hill, Len Walker.
Bass: Paul Morgan, Dave Green, Alec Dankworth, Simon Little, Joe Pettitt, Simon Woolf, Andre Messeder, Mick Hutton, Fred Baker, Geoff Gascoyne, Larry Bartley, Mick Durell, Jerome Davies, Neil Francis, Mike Porter-Ward, John Richardson, Tron Bull-Hansen, Lydian Dhami, Ashley DeNeef, Paul Baxter, Nick Kacal, Tom Mark, Val Manix, Eric Guy,
Drums & Other: Pete Cater, Clark Tracy, Dave Trigwell, Rod Brown, Winston Clifford, Les Circle, Nick Millward, Matt Fishwick, Phil Laslett, Arne Dybdahl, Sam Kelly, Chris Nichols, Tom Townsend, Phil Hopkins (Harmonica/Drums), Aref Durvesh (Tabla), Matt Home, Matt Skelton, George Double, Bobby Worth
Short Biography
- With 8 albums of his own, prolific across most musical genres as both a virtuoso Performer and commissioned Composer, Roan Kearsey-Lawson is “a talented multi-instrumentalist and composer” (Ian Maund, Sandy Brown Jazz, 2014), a Classical Timpanist, Classical World & Jazz Marimba Player, a Classical Percussionist and Piano player, and a experienced Theatre Drum Kit performer. He is “Described as One of the World’s Greatest Vibes Players” (Club for Acts & Actors, London, June 2017).
- Roan has been commissioned as a composer in the Pop and Film industries. Recent work includes film score Roan wrote, recorded and produced for London South Bank University, Sense Charity, and Mind Charity. Other work includes writing a string quartet for a pop producer who's work is now archived in the British Library.
- Roan has performed with dozens of famous artists from across the globe on multiple instruments, appearing live on BBC TV and Radio, on big festival stages, in theatres with TV stars, in jazz clubs and Cathedrals in the UK and abroad. Venues include the Royal Albert Hall Ignite Concert Series, Arts Theatre West End, Royal Concert Halls Nottingham, Club at the Ivy and Hurlingham Club in London to name a few.
- As a performer he's recorded sessions in the Pop, Blues and Jazz industries, plus he has composed and recorded four of his own Classical & Jazz albums.
- Roan’s has been featured in three one-hour programmes on BBC Radio, he’s been album of the week on the Jazz UK and his music has been broadcast in the USA, Canada and Europe.
Short Jazz Industry Biography
- As a jazz musician Roan has performed with dozens of famous artists from across the globe in all genres of jazz. Naming only a few, the extensive list includes working with Scott Hamilton and Darius Brubeck from the USA and Digby Fairweather in the UK.
- “Whether on drums or vibraphone, my friend Roan Kearsey-Lawson is one those new-generation musicians who restores your faith in the finest qualities of jazz music from Swing to bebop and beyond” (Digby Fairweather 2017).
- Roan's performances are packed with 100% energy and entertainment. A consummate presenter and showman. Visually stunning on fast numbers and powerful emotions on slow numbers leading to mesmerising intrigue throughout the performance.
An experienced guest and bandleader Roan has performed in numerous clubs and festivals in the UK and abroad including the Royal Albert Hall ignite concert series and many more. In Norway and the UK Roan has performed as a featured visiting guest artist on two recent tours.
Currently Roan is the bandleader at the 144Club and he also leads his own ‘New York Connections Quartet’ with John Pearce on Piano, Paul Morgan on Bass and Rod Brown on Drums, which is complimented by a 2019 album release ‘New York Connections’.
“A Truly World Class Vibes Player” (Chris Hare, 2017).
Film Composer, Classical Composer, Jazz & Pop Composer Short Biography
- Roan Kearsey-Lawson started composing in 2013. Since then he has over 70 works with commissions in the pop and film industries and four of his own albums packed full of original music written across Jazz, Classical and Easy Listening genres including eight of his own albums.
- He has been commissioned for Trouserphonic Records, a Film Score for LSBU, Sense Charity, and Mind Charity, he has writen background music used in comedy on BBC Radio, and written bespoke lines on other artists albums afar afield as Sweden. Other work includes playalong tracks for a drum tutor book.
- "I wanted to use a string quartet and having got to know and work with maestro Roan Kearsey-Lawson...I asked him to write a score...I wasn't disappointed. Tastefully scored and beautifully played" (Glenn Prangnell, Trouserphonic Records).
"As a composer Kearsey-Lawson has a great melodic gift, plus an affinity with the rhythms and sound patterns of many countries" (Ron Simpson, Jazz Rag Magazine, 2014)
"He has a penchant for writing good, lyrical music and arranging it to a variety of styles” (Ian Maund, Sandy Brown Jazz, 2014)
Roan Kearsey-Lawson in the Classical Industry
As a classical musician Roan has worked with many top singers and performers in Orchestras and Chamber groups performing on Timpani and Orchestral Percussion in many Cathedrals, Theatres and Churches. He performed regularly at the world famous Finchcocks Musical Museum and for Broadwood Pianos. He leads his own contemporary classical group ‘The Roan Trio’ with Duncan Lamont Jr. and Dominic Ashworth, which is complimented by his album ‘Classical Conversations’,"a fascinating, inventive and totally accessible album...it would fit with Classic FM’s Smooth Classics...It’s a virtuoso performance all round" (Ron Simpson, 2015).
Classical, World Music, Theatre & Pop
As a Theatre Musician Roan has worked in numerous musicals and shows from ‘Return to the Forbidden Planet’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ to Pantomime with TV stars, performing in diverse venues such as Arts Theatre West End, Royal Concert Halls Nottingham, the Theatre Royal Margate and many other theatres. (He can be seen performing with actress Gina Beck on the video page). He worked for some time in Comedy shows playing Keyboards and Drums (at the same time!) and in Children’s entertaining in theatres, festivals and venues across the country.
As a Pop, Folk and Brass Band Musician Roan has led his own Disco Band, performed in Ceilidh bands and military bands, plus in the famous Fanfar'Folizzz festival in Nogent-le-Rotrou, France. He has also recorded sessions on Vibes, Piano and Percussion in the pop industry, "The Groovy Uncle asked Roan Kearsey-Lawson to create a vibes part for 'Consider it Done'...laying down the track in one take, in fact it took longer to get the vibes in and out of the studio! Nice! Great!" (Glenn Prangnell, Groovy Uncle).
As a World Music Performer Roan is a member of the globetrotting Macusi Players, performing in festivals on Vibes and Marimba alongside the legendary Guyanese flautist Keith Waithe.
Education & Business Biography
With three degrees from three different universities it surprises many that Roan is largely self-taught as a musician, and is a self taught Composer.
Until recently Roan taught music privately from his home studio. He has helped several students get into music conservatiores and colleges, he has helped a student on the BBC youn musician of the year, and for many years he taught in private and state schools. After 26 years of teaching Roan now concentrates on Performing and Composing.
Roan had three years of piano and drum lessons at school and his first university degree was a joint honours in Social Science and Music (where he did performance studies in classical percussion) gaining a first class degree.
Following his first degree Roan took a masters degree in Mysticism and Religious Experience and then a second masters degree in Systematic Theology.
During that time of academic study Roan taught himself jazz piano, then in 2003 taught himself how to play jazz vibraphone whilst listening to BBC Radio jazz programmes rehearsing with all the greats! (His first paid gig on vibes was Christmas 2004, and in 2005 he worked with Tony Coe, Don Rendell, Jim Hastings and Janusz Carmello.) Don Rendell after the first gig with Roan quoted him as 'brilliant'.
The rest of his music education has been from the "University of Gigs".
As a composer Roan first wrote a book with drum kit play-along tracks. Then in 2012 he started writing his first compositions. Since then he has written four albums and other commissions.
Roan Kearsey-Lawson's Musical Inheritance
Pictured above performing piano on the Yacht Britannia Roan Kearsey-Lawson is a Grandson of Royal Stuart Family - A Cousin of Prime Minister Sir Spencer Perceval - & a Direct Descendant from Black Slavery & a Pirate!
- Grandfather's Line: Jazz musician Joseph Kearsey - a 1930's drummer for Ted Heath - through this line of inheritance Roan is a cousin of Sir Spencer Perceval who was the only British Prime Minister to be shot and killed whilst serving in office. He helped abolish slavery and wanted to be a musician, but his family felt he would make a better living in politics, where he had to deal with the Madness of King George III and paid his life for politics - Perhaps being a musician is a better option!! The link to Prime Minister Perceval is through RKL's Great Grandmother Mary Hughes.
Through this same line one of Roan's Grandfathers was the Member of Parliament for Twickenham and Roan's Great Uncle was Alexander Kearsey a highly decorated British war Colonel.
Grandmother's Royal Connection to the Stuart Family:
- On his Grandmother's side (Joe Kearsey's wife) Roan Kearsey-Lawson is a relative of Janet Stuart, who is a direct relative of King James and Mary Queen of Scots. The direct royal line is several times Great Grandmother back to Janet Stuart! Roan's great grandmother Christiana Grieve is from Edinburgh. Her Dad, RKL's Great Great Grandad was in the Black Watch as a private guard to Queen Victoria. Through these Great Grandparent's the family line goes through successive parents to Janet Stuart in the 1600's, who was herself a of the Royal Stuart line and a direct relative of King James and Mary Queen of Scots.
Through his Grandmother's line Roan is also a direct relation of a freed Slave from the Caribbean, Martha. Through this line RKL is from the Harper family. Based in Southhampton for over 500 years they were mainly pirates. One of RKL's great Grandfather pirates fought for both the US and UK in the wars of independence. He was of the famous Arnold family known in the US as a turncoat. However, his switch to the UK side freed Martha from slavery and married her around the same time RKL's other relative Prime Minister Sir Spencer Perceval was fighting for emancipation of slaves. On his album 'New York Connections' Roan has written Calypso for Martha. Roan's line comes direct from Martha.
Albums Roan Has Recorded On
Roan's first recording session was at 19 years old in Wandsworth in London. He recorded in Fred Gardner's Dixieland Jazz Orchestra. Since then he has recorded on several albums, on his own and others labels including:
- Three Trouserphonic Albums on the ZiP UP label playing Vibes, Tubular Bells, Piano and Conductor. Music which now features in the British Museum as an archive of British contemporary pop culture.
- On Dominic Ashworth's Album Psyche, with the Digby Fairweather Band. Performing on Marimba.
- Eight of Roan's Own Albums and for a Blues Band in Stockholm, Sweeden and many others.
