Jayson Mackie was born in Cardiff in 1975 and studied recorder, flute and piano as a child, later adding saxophone. Composing from an early age, Jayson’s ‘Jazz Suite’ was published by Spartan Press when he was aged just 16. He was the first person to ever study composition as a principal study at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) as an undergraduate from 1997-2000, then MMus from 2002-2004. Awarded a first and a distinction in composition respectively. He was awarded the Eirwen Thomas prize in 1998 and 1999 and taught composition at the RWCMD from 2005-2010.

Jayson Mackie’s works are published by Clifton Edition, Warwick Music, Peacock Press and Oriana Publications.

Light and Shade was written as a virtuosic showcase for Simon Milton who gave the first performance on 11th March 1998 at the Royal Welsh…