About Jeff Funnell

I was born into a family of accomplished musicians - my father played piano with the world-renowned Debroy Somers Band in the 1930's, my grandfather was an orchestral flautist and a contemporary of Sir Henry Wood, while my great-grandfather was musical director on board the Lusitania - though not on its fateful last voyage.

As a result, I was very soon put to the piano - I received classical tuition from the age of four, passing six grades of the Royal Schools of Music exams by the time I was twelve, as well as gaining several 'firsts' in the Brighton Musical Festival's annual piano competitions.

My attention was then diverted to dance music and jazz and I was a regular performer in the Sussex area by the time I was eighteen. After a move to Kent, I ran a dance and jazz quartet while following a business career in the City of London - from which I have now retired.

I am a versatile pianist with extensive experience of public performance. My first 'gig' was at the age of eight on the stage of The Dome in Brighton - earlier that day I had won one of the piano competitions at the music festival held in The Royal Pavilion.

I am a member of the Musicians' Union, who provide me with liability insurance - your venue may need verification of this, which I am happy to supply. I have self-employed status and I do not work through agencies. I am not registered for VAT.

I am free to take bookings on weekdays as well as weekends. I am based in West Sussex and happy to travel anywhere in the southern counties area.