Noel started playing the alto sax at age 9 in a junior school concert band, and took up the clarinet a few years later to double in swing and big bands. While studying at York University, Noel was offered a position in a working big band - provided he took up the baritone sax in a week! He has played in all sorts of ensembles and settings - big bands, swing bands, concert bands, soul bands, function bands, trad bands, show/pit bands, orchestras, sax and clarinet quartets and ensembles.

Noel currently plays with Saxitup, The Mike Brown Band, Eclectic Music and the Hull Big Band regularly, and plays with other groups from time to time, on saxes from baritone to sopranino. He also repairs woodwind instruments from a workshop in Hull's old town.

He secretly wants to add a bass sax to the lineup as well... because bigger is always better!