Stephen studied piano and violin at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester.  Since leaving Chetham's in 1977, he has worked as a professional performer, lecturer, arranger and composer. In recent years Stephen has lectured in the Music Department at Salford University, where he currently teaches Classical and Jazz Piano.  In recent years Stephen has become less involved in performance in order to concentrate on the expansion and the consolidation of his private teaching practice and composition. 

Stephen has made numerous broadcasts for the BBC, and independent radio stations including Jazz FM where he is featured regularly on the Dinner Jazz programme. He is equally well known as a jazz organist specialising in Hammond Organ and recently recorded two CDs with American jazz guitar legend Jack Wilkins entitled Bluesin’, and Change Partners, which have been received enthusiastically by jazz critics worldwide (See Articles).

Stephen's love of both classical music and jazz, together with his generally eclectic taste in music makes him equally at home both as a classical and jazz performer.