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Double Basses

Jeremy Watt

Sub-Principal Double Bass
Headshot of double bassist Jeremy Watt

Originally from Australia, Jeremy was probably lucky to make it through childhood at all. An incident with a fork and a powerpoint, an ugly meeting of head and golf club, a stunt man style motorcycle accident and many tear inducing piano lessons all colluded against him. Luckily, he was placed behind a double bass in his early teens, focussing all his self destructive energies on the never ending pursuit of the near impossible.

At the age of 23, having freelanced in Sydney and his native Brisbane for a number of years, Jeremy suddenly announced to his family he’d purchased a one way ticket to Europe, and in early 2002 flew to Brussels, before settling in London later that year with £17.20 in his pocket. He spent his first two years working in a big, famous record store on Oxford Street, where he met his wife, before stumbling into a trial for a sub-princiapl  job with one of the London orchestras.

Jeremy went on to spent 14 years freelancing through the UK and Europe, including stints as guest principal in Spanish, Norwegian and UK orchestras. He enjoyed a particularly close association with the Philharmonia and London Symphony Orchestras during this time and worked extensively with ensembles across the country, playing with some of the world’s finest orchestral musicians, conductors and soloists.

In 2018 the CBSO offered Jeremy a permanent position within its double bass section, where he has continued to enjoy music making of the highest calibre. He has particularly enjoyed being part of several new releases with the orchestra on Deutsche Grammaphon and Chandos, adding to the CBSO's rich recorded legacy.  In 2020 Jeremy began his own independent record label with the aim of shining a light on the wealth of talent amongst the musicians that make up British orchestras.

When not at work Jeremy enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children and their very lazy greyhound.

Live in concert

  • Centre Stage: From France to America

  • Centre Stage: American Strings

Supported by an anonymous donor

Meet more of our players

  • Headshot of double bassist Tony Alcock

    Tony Alcock

    Section Leader Double Bass
  • Headshot of double bassist Julian Atkinson

    Julian Atkinson

    Principal Double Bass
  • Headshot of double bassist Aisling Reilly. Aisling is stood with her double bass.

    Aisling Reilly

    Tutti Double Bass (Fixed Term)

Further content for Jeremy Watt

Keep exploring... Meet the whole Orchestra

Photograph of Kazuki Yamada conducting the orchestra at Symphony Hall

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(0121) 616 6500 information@cbso.co.uk

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