| Born in Welling,
Kent, in 1966, the youngest of three sons of Michael and Sheila
Pooley. Rod started playing electronic organ at the age of seven
years studying under the very capable guidance of John Norris
(Principal of the Southern Music Training Centre Bromley). Rod
furthered his playing skills by starting piano
from the age of ten. Rod at this time was very fortunate to be
taught the piano by a top London jazz pianist James Fagg which is
no doubt why Rod is an extremely fluent jazz player.
Rod passed the eleven plus and went
to Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School which at that time had
one of the largest school music departments in the UK. There were
three full orchestras and Rod's claim to fame was to perform solo
in concert at the school in front of former prime minister Sir
Edward Heath who was the Bexley MP at that time. While at Grammar
School Rod also formed the first jazz band the school had ever
had.
During and after leaving full
time education, Rod won many major titles in the organ world.
These include:
1981 at 14 years of age Young
Theatre Organist of the Year
1985 and 1986 at 18 and 19 years
of age National Organist of the year
1988 at 21 years of age Yamaha
Electone Festival Winner. Rod has Grade VIII on Piano and
Organ and achieved a performance diploma in electronic organ
playing at just 17 years of age.
For two years Rod was a Church
organist at St Michaels and All Angels Eastbourne where the family
had moved to in 1982.
Rod's professional career was
already well established by the time he left school, performing at
many organ societies. He has performed in many forms of
entertainment both as soloist and in bands and big bands. Rod has
worked with the Joe Loss Orchestra, the Ken Mackintosh Big Band,
Mike Reid and Jimmy Tarbuck. Rod has organised and run a very
successful organ and keyboard school, becoming a fully qualified
teacher for the Technics Music Academy based at Bonners Music
Superstore in Eastbourne. His busy performing and demonstrating
career means he has largely left teaching behind but is still
Keyboard and Piano specialist in residence at Bonners, one of the
leading music retailers in the UK.
| November 2004 - |
Korg UK Demonstrator and Specialist on PA
Keyboards and C-Series Pianos |
| 2002-2004 |
Hammond Demonstrator specialising in the XT, XE, and
the New B3 which Rod helped to launch in the UK at Caister. |
| 2000-2002 |
Roland Atelier Demonstrator |
| 1995-2000 |
Technics Music Academy Teacher and Demonstrator of Organs and KN Keyboards. |
|
