Geoffrey Poole (09/02/1949), an English composer, born in Ipswich, Suffolk. He is a contemporary classical composer with a bold and independent outlook. Much of his work has been inspired by the mutual interrogation of classical tradition and high folk traditions from Europe, Africa and Asia. English by birth, he has also lived in East Africa (1985-7) and in the USA as Visiting Fellow in Composition at Princeton (1997-8). After a substantial career at Manchester he is Professor of Composition at Bristol University. His seventy works include three string quartets commissioned by The Lindsays, orchestral music performed by the Hallé Orchestra, RLPO, BBCSO, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and others, choral music broadcast by The King's Singers, the Tavener Consort / BCMG and the BBC Singers, a Sheherazade-style voyage for RNCM Wind Orchestra and some very unusual concertos: Two-Way Talking for Ghanaian Drummer and 5 ensembles, Swans Reflecting Elephants for Javanese Gamelan and chamber orchestra, and Lucifer for piano and 21 loud instruments. He has written several works for younger players, including the widely-known recorder pieces Skally Skarekrow's Whistling Book, and Look Behind You! commissioned by Chamber Music 2000 and included in the Schubert Ensemble's latest NMC disc (Bright Future, NMC D080).