Neil Livingstone
Neil is a Workshop Leader and PhD Scholar at UWL. His teaching and workshops have a particular focus on jazz performance, methods of jazz improvisation, expanding creativity, and jazz music theory. His research interests include group creativity, jazz improvisation, links between language and music, music pedagogy, andragogy, and 4e cognition.
Prior to beginning his PhD at UWL, Neil studied music performance and music pedagogy at the University of Chichester and Trinity Laban Conservatoire.
Neil is a multi-instrumentalist and has been a professional musician since 2007. He has worked in bands and as a soloist, with extensive experience performing across the UK and Europe at jazz clubs, corporate events, and festivals (with his group supporting Katie Melua). He is a credited songwriter, performer, and arranger for Jazz and Pop vocalists in London, receiving jazz.fm airtime and performing in venues such as the Jazz Café in London. He has experience performing in multiple genres including Jazz, Blues, Acoustic, Funk, Rock, Soul and Pop.
Neil has been a passionate instrumental teacher since 2011 and continues to teach in 1-1 and small group settings. His teaching experience is extensive. He has led guitar and band workshops for university level students as well as small group sessions on improvisation and music theory. He has prepared students for exams, university auditions and professional performances. Through his 1-1 teaching practice, Neil has honed his skills in developing tailored learning materials to meet the needs of individual students. He has initiated jazz jam sessions in London to encourage both beginner instrumentalists and veteran musicians to perform and enjoy this music.
The title of his PhD research is “An Enlightened Conversation: Understanding the interaction between musical spaces and creativity in ensemble jazz improvisatory performance”
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Qualifications
- MA (Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance),
- BA (Hons) (University of Chichester)
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Awards
Marcia Worrell Prize (2024) -
Memberships
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM)Royal Musical Association (RMA)
Teaching
I am a workshop leader and PhD Researcher at the University of West London. I have worked extensively as an instrumental tutor (guitar and bass), with students at beginner and advanced level. My teaching and workshops have a particular focus on jazz performance, methods of jazz improvisation, expanding creativity, and jazz music theory. My research interests include group creativity, jazz improvisation, links between language and music, music pedagogy, andragogy, and 4e cognition.
Research
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Research and publications
Doctoral thesis: “An Enlightened Conversation: Understanding the interaction between musical spaces and creativity in ensemble jazz improvisatory performance” DUE FOR COMPLETION SEPT 2025
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Conferences
2023. Poster Presentation: “An Orchestra of Athletes: A comparison of the perceptions of creativity held by those in sports teams and music groups” British Forum for Ethnomusicology and Royal Musical Association Research Student’s Conference, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
