Meet The Team
Meet the faces behind the music you'll love
The passionate musicians and professionals behind your perfect event
Behind every perfectly crafted musical cocktail is a team of passionate musicians and professionals who understand that contemporary classics served with string quartet elegance isn’t just music – it’s an art form. Here are the talented people who’ll be working with you to create your perfect sophisticated blend.
The professionals handling your booking and event coordination
The Cocktail Strings are proudly managed by Back Chat Music, a bespoke music agency that puts passion before profit. Unlike larger, impersonal booking agencies, Back Chat Music is run by the musicians themselves – which means when you book The Cocktail Strings, you’re working directly with people who understand your vision because they’re part of the musical family. Below are the team members that you are most likely to speak with.
The music mixologists
James
Lead Arranger
A Royal Northern College of Music graduate who studied tuba and served as Tuba Junior Fellow, James has performed in some of the UK’s most prestigious venues, including Bridgewater Hall, Snape Maltings, and Royal Festival Hall. But here’s where his expertise becomes truly special – James is our musical mixologist, the creative genius who transforms contemporary hits into sophisticated string quartet masterpieces.
Since 2017, he’s travelled across the UK and Europe with various musical groups, and now he channels that diverse experience into crafting all the arrangements for The Cocktail Strings. James has an amazing ability to take any modern pop classic – from Ed Sheeran ballads to Adele hits – and serve them up with the refined elegance that only string quartet can provide. Every musical cocktail you hear has been expertly mixed by James’s creative expertise.
Rachel
Musical Director & Performance Coordinator
Rachel brings serious classical credentials to every Cocktail Strings performance. After studying cello at both the Royal Northern College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she spent 2024-25 as part of Southbank Sinfonia, performing with the Royal Opera House orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, and Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
She’s appeared at the BBC Proms, been broadcast on Classic FM, and now balances a busy freelance career, including work with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. As Musical Director for The Cocktail Strings, Rachel ensures every performance meets the exacting standards you’d expect from someone who’s performed on the world’s most prestigious classical stages. She coordinates the quartet and ensures every musical cocktail is served to perfection.
The Back Chat Music Team
Tom
Private Events Specialist
With over 1,000 private events under his belt, Tom has seen it all – and he loves every minute of it. Whether you’re planning your dream wedding, a milestone birthday, or a celebration of life, Tom’s passion is helping you create something truly special. He’s always happy to jump on a call to chat through your ideas and offer suggestions that will work perfectly for your unique event.
When he’s not arranging the perfect soundtrack for your big day, you’ll find Tom behind the drums or pursuing his other passion – bringing live music to people who don’t usually get to experience it. His educational background means he understands how music can transform moments, and he brings that insight to every conversation.
- Tom oversees:
- Weddings
- Private Parties
- Family celebrations
- Planning educational workshops & concerts
- Overall band coordination
Andy
Corporate & Festival Specialist
Andy brings serious musical credentials to every booking – he’s toured the world with various bands, recorded for top pop artists, and graced the biggest stages on the planet with his saxophone. His extensive festival experience means he knows exactly how these events work and what it takes to deliver flawless performances.
With the most impressive musical CV on our team, Andy is perfectly positioned to handle your corporate and public bookings. Plus, he prides himself on lightning-fast communication – you’ll never be left wondering about your booking status.
- Andy oversees:
- Corporate events
- Festivals
- Public performances
- Educational bookings
- Financial arrangements
Simon
Creative Director & Logistics
After 10+ years of running bands and writing music, Simon has developed an uncompromising passion for high-quality performances. As our overall Musical Director, he ensures his exacting standards are met on every single gig. Simon believes that happy musicians create the best results, so he takes care of every detail to ensure our band bring their absolute best to your event.
When you see us sharing behind-the-scenes content or musical insights on social media, that’s Simon making sure you get to know the real people behind the music.
- Simon oversees:
- Creative direction
- Musical arrangements
- Social media
- Overall band coordination
Phoebe
Client Experience Coordinator
Armed with degrees in HR management and a love for spreadsheets that borders on the obsessive, Phoebe is the organisational powerhouse who keeps everything running smoothly. She’ll think of details for your private event that you haven’t even considered yet – and she genuinely loves doing it.
Once you book with us, Phoebe becomes your personal event coordinator, handling contracts, invoices, and all those crucial final details that make the difference between good and perfect. Her systematic approach means nothing gets forgotten, and her friendly manner makes the whole process stress-free.
Every aspect of Phoebe’s life is very ordered, and she brings that same meticulous attention to detail to your event planning. Super helpful when organising private events, Phoebe will ensure everything is perfectly coordinated for your special day.
Why This Matters
When you book with Back Chat Music, you’re getting:
- Direct access to the people who’ll be performing at your event
- Personal investment in your celebration’s success
- Professional expertise from world-class musicians
- Seamless coordination from enquiry to final performance
- A team approach where everyone works together for your perfect event
Ready to meet the team and start planning your perfect musical experience? Get in touch today and let’s create something extraordinary together.
