About Me
I am a musician and composer from South Wales, and a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where I received a First-Class Honours degree in Jazz Piano. I am currently studying part-time for an MA in Composition at the University of Bristol, due to conclude in summer 2026.
I grew up in Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil, and began studying both piano and guitar at an early age. From the outset I was drawn to composition; even when my technical abilities were limited, the act of writing music itself was a source of inspiration. I wrote for any ensemble available to me, beginning with a local pub band in which I performed. Alongside this, encouragement from my school music department led me to explore classical repertoire—particularly the Romantic era—while my own musical curiosity drew me towards Jazz, Blues, and other improvised traditions. A defining moment in my musical development was discovering the music of Frank Zappa, whose work profoundly shaped my approach to composition and genre.
At the age of 24, after several years of keeping music as a hobby alongside work, I made the decision to pursue Jazz piano and improvisation seriously. I moved to Cardiff in 2016 to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with a programme of original solo piano compositions. Following this, I formed Freshly Cut Grass, a project combining written and improvised music that drew together my diverse influences and became a central creative outlet during lockdown.
More recently, my studies at the University of Bristol have introduced me to the world of contemporary classical composition. I have developed a particular interest in orchestration and contemporary Art Music, with composers such as Harrison Birtwistle, Elliott Carter, and Thomas Adès having a significant influence on my work. I have written orchestral and chamber music for Bristol University Music Society concerts, The Bristol Symphony Orchestra and composed for the Bristol branch of the COMA Ensemble.
Alongside my academic work, I am an active freelance composer and arranger, working with the music education company Charanga to produce material for their online resources. I have also participated in Ty Cerdd’s composition project for the refurbished organ at Theatr Soar in Merthyr Tydfil, with my work performed by James McVinnie, and was selected for the 10-day SOUNDscape composition exchange at the Hindemith Centre in Blonay, Switzerland.
In addition to composing, I work regularly as a session musician for artists in a variety of genres, both in studio and live contexts. While I continue to perform with a range of ensembles, my recent experiences have reinforced that composition lies at the core of my creative practice. Drawing on Jazz, Art Music, Improvised, and Popular traditions, I aim to create music that reflects the breadth of my musical background and an ever-evolving compositional voice.
The Chris Stapleton Experience - The Uk's No 1 Tribute to Chris Stapleton
Owain has performed with our band The Chris Stapleton Experience on a number of occasions. Initially playing keys along with acoustic guitar, whilst also singing backing vocals. Quite simply an outstanding musician who is also a comsumate professional. Recently we were left short handed as our usual guitarist was unwell. Owain learnt the whole set on lead guitar and did an incredible job. He is an incredibly talented musician but mixes that with true professionalism and is an asset to any arrangement.
Tim Harries, UK Session Bassist - Steeleye Span, Bill Bruford
So much doomtalk around the future of music and whether ‘musicians’ (society’s idea of them) have any stake in it. One of the best things for me this year has involved playing with a new and highly gifted generation of writer-players, the excellent OH among them. They’re individually and collectively great. They love it, feel it, know about it and they’re doing it. Gods bless ‘em, support them any way you can.