TEENAGE pianist, Richard Simpson, hopes to study A-level music - and in the meantime he's getting in plenty of practice.

Not only does he take extra lessons in classical music and in jazz, but the 16-year-old from Guisborough also entertains guests in local hotels.

Jazz is his first love, but he also likes classical, rock and dance music. Now taking GCSEs, Richard hopes to study A-level music at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough.

"I like the energy and rhythm of modern jazz, and performers like Keith Jarrett, John Coltrane and Kenny Barron.

"But I also like the Manic Street Preachers, Moby, and DJs such as Pete Tong and John Digweed. I used to experiment with electronic music, synthesisers and sequencers."

He has played easy-listening standards at Gisborough Hall and Grinkle Park Hotel, and is available for bookings.

Richard also plays with Durham Youth Big Band, the Northern Youth Jazz Orchestra and his own band with friends.

At school, he was taught by Marjorie Oxley and Christopher Wilson. He takes extra classical lessons from Guisborough's Richard Bendelow and jazz lessons from Race Newton, a New Yorker now living at Grosmont.