“If ever there was a convincing advocate of the tuba, it’s Les.  His playing reaches out from the stage, picks you up by the scruff of the neck and says listen to me”  
Stephanie Hughes (BBC Radio)

“Les Neish showed us at the Windsor and Eton Choral Society Concert that he is not only breathtakingly virtuosic, but a real entertainer too. The orchestra loved working with him and the audience were thrilled and delighted by his encore
” Ralph Allwood (Eton and Windsor Choral Society)

“……played with so much courage, conviction and outstanding musicianship by this highly talented virtuoso but above all else highlighted by wonderful communication with his audience.  Surely this is what the finest music making is all about and this tuba virtuoso has it in abundance and more
” Roy McKay (Slough and Windsor Observer)

“When Leslie plays the tuba, it’s not only him having fun.  He has the rare ability to draw the listener into sharing his passion for music making”  
Ewan Easton (Halle Orchestra)

“Leslie is without doubt one of the finest young musicians of his generation. He has the ability to make some of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard from a Tuba and is a joy to watch and work with”
Chris Houlding (Musical Director, Slaithwaite Philharmonic.  Principal Trombone, Opera North)

“A world class, state of the art tubist and a superb musician”
Roger Bobo (Tuba Legend)

Leslie Neish’s tuba playing career has already taken him to venues that span from the Marble Palace, Russia to Matt and Fred’s Jazz Bar in Manchester.  His endeavours as a tuba player have gained him recognition as a chamber musician, soloist and educator in the UK and abroad. 

He gained a First Class Honours degree, a Professional Performance Diploma, and a Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction from the Royal Northern College of Music Manchester and became the first tuba player to be awarded the Worshipful Company of Dyers Award for Wind and Brass at the Royal Overseas League Competition.
 
He has given numerous first performances of works and recently recorded the Darrol Barry Tuba Concerto with the Fodens Band.  He also premiered a new work “Salt of the Earth” , again with the Fodens Band at the 2008 RNCM Festival of Brass.  As well as being a member of the Fodens Band, Les is also a member of the world famous, American based, Brass Band of Battle Creek.

This year has seen Les performing in Holland, Malta, Spain, Florida, Michigan and will be performing in Denmark and Belgium this year also. 

He has performed recitals at St. James’, Piccadilly,  St Martin in the Fields, London, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester and ROSL House, Edinburgh and is featured as soloist on a new CD “Badinage” playing solos accompanied by Fuoco Brass.

Not just content as a soloist, Leslie’s passion lies in chamber music.  He is a Tutor in Chamber Music at the Royal Northern College of Music and plays in the brass quintet ‘Polyphonic Brass’ which works extensively throughout the Northwest as part of the Live Music Now! Scheme.  He is also a member of Tubalaté, a tuba quartet that has a busy schedule in the UK and aboard.
 Les has already achieved a great deal and is dedicated to raising the profile of an instrument that is sometimes forgotten at the back of an orchestra.  He intends to prove that the tuba has so much more to offer!! To find out more about Les, check out his blog at www.lesneish.com