WORK
I work as a freelance jazz guitarist, composer and arranger, collaborating with musicians, ensembles and organisations across the UK and internationally.
My practice brings together performance, writing and education, with a focus on clear musical communication, strong ensemble interaction and context-specific work.
Performance & Session Work
I perform regularly as a guitarist in small ensembles and larger groups across jazz and contemporary settings. My work includes club performances, festivals, touring projects and session work, both live and in the studio.
I have led and performed on international tours, including a month-long tour across China, and was a member of the late American jazz drummer Doug Sides’ final quartet.
Alongside this, I work as a freelance guitarist across a range of line-ups and genres, adapting to different musical contexts.
Composition & Arranging
I write and arrange music for small ensemble, big band and orchestral contexts. My work includes original composition, custom arrangements and transcription-based projects for performance, recording and educational use.
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I have received commissions to compose and arrange for organisations including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the National Concert Band Festival, as well as from individual artists and ensembles.
Awards & Recognition
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Eddie Harvey Jazz Arranger Award
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Mike Gibbs Jazz Composition & Arranging Prize
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Phil Miller Guitar Prize
Selected Highlights
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Led and organised a month-long international tour across China
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Member of Doug Sides’ final quartet
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Commissioned arranger and composer for major UK ensembles and festivals
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Extensive experience as a freelance guitarist across live, studio and educational contexts
Ed Puddick, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
"Ollie is the latest in a long line of creative jazz arrangers and composers to emerge from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He has a unique arranging style, stemming from his imaginative and varied approach to playing the guitar."
Birmingham Review
"Ollie Canham’s guitar comping feels so natural, adapting to every tune and never sounding lost. For my money, Ollie is one of the finest up and coming jazz guitarists"
The Jazz Mann Review - Doug Sides Legacy Band ★★★★
"Tight unison riffing on the intro with Canham taking the first solo on guitar, combining lightning bebop inspired single note runs with complex and sophisticated chording... an excellent performance from very talented and impressively mature musicians"