Basses

Four men standing in front of a wood-paneled wall, each holding a tuba. They are dressed in black shirts with a green logo on the chest that says "Band."

Garry Smith (Principal EEb bass)
Ieuaf Griffiths

Andy Coles (Principal BBb bass)
Paul Cannard

Andy Coles

Andy Coles - BBb Bass (section leader)

Andy is a Bucks boy and grew up in Newport Pagnell, the home of Aston Martin (for which he is very proud). He started off on the cornet at the age of 10 and moved through the Milton Keynes Music Service (MKMS) training bands, before seeing the light and moving onto a proper instrument aged 14. Initially lured by its size and huge sound, the Eb bass was a much better fit for Andy's swimmer's lungs and he progressed well, winning the "Most Improved Musician" award in 2003 and completing his grade 8 the following year. 

Andy joined his first contesting band in 2002, known then as Stantonbury Brass and signed for Enderby (Leicester) at university in 2004, playing EEb and BBb bass. After his PGCE at UEA, he moved to Ipswich in 2008 as a Geography teacher and soon joined Martlesham Brass and Trianon Orchestra, before signing for the then Ipswich and Norwich Coop in January 2010. Andy has also played in many local orchestras including the Wolsey orchestra and was a founding member of the Raedwold Ensemble. 

Andy's claim to fame is winning the Butlins "Longest Note" prize in 2012, but he enjoys nothing more than a band social or serving as the East of England Coop Band's in-house carpenter. 

Photo of Garry Smith

Garry Smith - EEb Bass

Garry grew up in Southend-on-Sea, Essex and learned to play a brass instrument, aged 7, at Southend Citadel Salvation Army. Initially he played Euphonium and Baritone at his church and in The Salvation Army’s East London Youth Band. He then found his way to the tuba section, first with Cardiff Canton Salvation Army Band on BBb Bass and more recently at Chelmsford Salvation Army on EEb bass. During this time he also played for 10 years in The Salvation Army’s Household Troops Band. He also served as Bandmaster (Musical Director) with Chelmsford Salvation Army Band for three years.

Garry was persuaded to join the world of contesting bands by previous musical director, Nigel Cooper, in 2019 and has been a member of the East of England Coop band since then, and was voted as Bandsperson of the year in 2025 by members of the band.

For his day job, Garry is the Director of Mission for Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) where as part of his responsibilities he oversees the division responsible for music publishing and distribution, recording and their wobplay brass band streaming platform.

Paul Cannard

Paul Cannard - BBb Bass

Brought up in Somerset, following a brief dalliance with Eb bass back then in the local town band (non-contesting), Paul was handed a Bb bass by Brian Hastings in January 1990 and told to come back to Connells Sounding Brass “after the areas” (whatever they were!).

Still playing Bb bass, Paul has greatly enjoyed 35 years with the same band – the repertoire has certainly changed as has the name of the band. Go East of England Co-Op Band!