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Alyn Cosker

Alyn Cosker was born and raised in Ayr, Scotland and studied at Strathclyde University in Glasgow where he graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in 'Applied Music'. A regular on the Scottish jazz scene he has performed with many artists of both national and international standing. They include Tommy Smith, Jim Mullen, Lee Konitz, Courtney Pine, Bheki Mseleku, Paul Towndrow, Claire Martin, Geoffrey Keezer, Annie Ross (Lambert, Hendricks & Ross), Frank Gambale, Geoff Gascoigne, Clare Teal, Brian Kellock, Scott Hamilton, Bruce Barth, Steve Hamilton, Madaleine Eastman, Ethan Iverson, Leo Blanco,Warren Vaché, David Newton, Carol Kidd, Bruce Adams, Damon Brown, Tim Garland, Keith Tippet.

Alyn is the drummer with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, a position he has held for the past 4 years. In November 2004 through jazz saxophonist Tommy Smiths recommendation, Alyn was invited to deputise for drummer Gary Novak (Chick Corea, Alannis Morrisette) in Joe Lockes Four Walls of Freedom band which featured Tommy Smith and Ed Howard (Shirley Horn, Roy Haynes) where he played for a weeks residency at Ronnie Scotts in London. He is also featured on Tommy Smith latest album - Forbidden Fruit.

As well as enjoying playing in the jazz genre, Alyn has a deep love for many other styles of music including, Rock, Funk, R+B and Folk and for the past 5 years he has recorded and toured all over Europe and America with top celtic band Wolfstone. He is also featured on many independent and major albums, including the Isobel Campbell (Belle & Sebastian) and Mark Lanagan (Queen's of the Stone Age) on their 2006 Mercury Prize nominated album Ballad of the Broken Seas and her follow up album 'Sunday at Devil Dirt'. He's recently recorded an album with singer/songwriter Gareth Davies Jones and the amazing jazz vocalist Carol Kidd - Dreamsville on Linn Records and is now currently on tour in Europe with Isobel, promoting her new album.

He has just finished writing & producing his own first solo album which is due out in 2009 along with a busy 'Tune-Up' tour planned. It features his regular trio - Ross Hamilton (bass) & David Dunsmuir (gtr) as well as special guests - Tommy Smith (tnr sax), Jason Rebello (pno), Paul Towndrow (alto/sop sax), Ryan Quigley (trumpet) & Maureen McMullan (vox).

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Album Review

Alyn Cosker: KPF

Read "KPF" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The music of Alyn Cosker--the resident drummer of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra--is neither here nor there. While his work firmly rests in the miles-wide jazz camp, its synthesis of disparate styles and identities offers it shielding from easy labels within. Take “Serenity," the album's lead-off track, for example. Augmenting an electrified quintet with mandolin, accordion, fiddle, and alto saxophone, Cosker creates a powerful and uncategorizable blend that sits, swirls, storms, and dances around a stabilizing piano beacon. It's a ...

Read more articles
"His overall command...energises the music in compelling fashion." The Scotsman

"It's high class all the way..." Tha Herald

"...it's a testament to the world-class prowess of the participants." The Guardian

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Story Needs an...

Independent release
2022

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KPF

NYLA Recordings
2018

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Lyn's Une

Linn Records
2009

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