Hugh Turner started playing guitar at age 11 and by 13 he was playing with his brothers blues band in pubs and clubs around his native home town of Reading.

At 16 he had already started teaching and had discovered jazz, first studying under Cedric West, the acclaimed Burmese jazz guitarist, and later John Etheridge and Dave Cliff, Britain’s finest bebop guitar player.

Graduating in jazz rock and classical guitar from North London University at age 19, Hugh played in all the London and the South-East’s jazz clubs with his already formed jazz trio. During the next few years he continued with his jazz performances but also concentrated on his composition. Pop session work, touring and many dance music recording sessions kept him off the streets.

In 1995 Hugh co-founded ‘Jazz Upstairs’, a club showcasing the best of British Jazz. Alan Barnes, Jon Gee, Jay Denson, Theo Travis and Dave Cliff all visited the club with the great house rhythm section of Andy Crowdy (acoustic bass) and Simon Price (drums).

Around this time he formed Funk Assembly and started the JW’s residency, featuring among others Brandon Allen (sax), Dennis Rollins (trombone), Brian Edwards (sax) and Andy Gangadeen (drums).

Hugh as a solo artitst, in addition to performing with his band, is recognised individually as one of the regions finest jazz guitarists. His influences range from George Benson and John Scofield through to Grant Green and Jimi Hendrix. As well as a being consummate performer Hugh is also an accomplished teacher of Jazz Guitar. Teaching in the Oxford and Reading areas between gigs and writing new album material.

In a recent review by Derek Ansell, Hugh's talents were recognised at the Progress Theatre, with his following testimonial.