One of the world’s finest clarinettists, Julian Bliss excels as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, jazz artist, leader of master-classes, and tireless musical explorer. As creator of his Conn Selmer range of affordable clarinets, he has inspired a generation of young players and introduced a substantial new audience to his instrument. He started playing the clarinet aged four, and went on to study in the United States, at the University of Indiana, and in Germany, under Sabine Meyer, turning professional aged just twelve. On the recital and chamber music platform he has played at leading festivals and venues in Gstaad, London (Wigmore Hall), and New York (Lincoln Center), among others. He has appeared as soloist with a range of international orchestras, including the São Paolo State Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de chambre de Paris, Auckland Philharmonia, BBC Philharmonic, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2010, he established the Julian Bliss Septet, performing programmes inspired by Benny Goodman and by music from Brazil and Cuba to packed houses at Ronnie Scott’s, London, the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, and across the USA. The varied recording output of Julian Bliss has elicited excellent reviews, ‘record of the week’ spots, and much media attention. His discography includes a recording of John Mackey’s recent clarinet concerto, Divine Mischief, written specially for him, recital albums focussing on works by Schumann and Brahms with the pianist James Baillieu, the Clarinet Quintets by Mozart and Weber with the Carducci String Quartet, and the Clarinet Concertos by Mozart and Nielsen with the Royal Northern Sinfonia under Mario Venzago.