Teacher gives up classroom to tour with Rag'n'Bone Man

An East Sussex music teacher is giving up his day job to go on tour with one of the country's hottest new artists '“ Uckfield's own Rag'n'Bone Man.
Ben Thomas is giving up work as teacher with East Sussex Music to tour with his former schoolmate Rag'n'Bone Man. SUS-170213-170652001Ben Thomas is giving up work as teacher with East Sussex Music to tour with his former schoolmate Rag'n'Bone Man. SUS-170213-170652001
Ben Thomas is giving up work as teacher with East Sussex Music to tour with his former schoolmate Rag'n'Bone Man. SUS-170213-170652001

For the last three years, 30-year-old music teacher Ben Thomas has been combining his role teaching youngsters drums and percussion for East Sussex Music with his duties as a drummer for his former Uckfield Community College schoolmate.

But with Rag’n’Bone Man – real name Rory Graham – hitting the charts with his blues-inspired grooves, Mr Thomas is now leaving the classroom to perform full time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “It’s going to be difficult to leave it behind because I’ve been with some of the kids from primary school through to sixth form, but you have to take these opportunities when they come along.

Ben Thomas is giving up work as teacher with East Sussex Music to tour with his former schoolmate Rag'n'Bone Man. SUS-170213-170705001Ben Thomas is giving up work as teacher with East Sussex Music to tour with his former schoolmate Rag'n'Bone Man. SUS-170213-170705001
Ben Thomas is giving up work as teacher with East Sussex Music to tour with his former schoolmate Rag'n'Bone Man. SUS-170213-170705001

“I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been inspiring, especially when you see a student come in the next day and they’ve done what you asked them to do and put the extra work in.

“I don’t like to blow my own trumpet but the kids have found out about what I’m doing and they’re really excited – it’s nice to show them what’s possible if you work hard enough.”

Recently named critics’ choice at the Brit Awards, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man began his musical journey as a rapper before finding success with his unique blend of blues, electro-soul and hip-hop.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Having topped the charts across Europe last year with hit single Human, his album of the same name was released last week, coinciding with a flurry of media interest, including an appearance on the Graham Norton Show.

Ben Thomas is giving up work as teacher with East Sussex Music to tour with his former schoolmate Rag'n'Bone Man. SUS-170213-170705001Ben Thomas is giving up work as teacher with East Sussex Music to tour with his former schoolmate Rag'n'Bone Man. SUS-170213-170705001
Ben Thomas is giving up work as teacher with East Sussex Music to tour with his former schoolmate Rag'n'Bone Man. SUS-170213-170705001

Mr Thomas said: “With someone as talented as Rory, I always knew it’s something that had legs but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for the way it’s exploded recently.

“Although the scenery has changed I’m still basically just playing the drums. You can’t let it get on top of you too much and everyone in the band is really grounded.”

Originally from Buxted but now living in Brighton, Mr Thomas received drumming lessons with East Sussex Music from the age of 11 and has been a teacher himself for nine years.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lucy Morgan-Jones, head of East Sussex Music, said: “We’re really sad to lose Ben from our teaching staff but we and all the students are really excited and thrilled that he’s able to take up this fantastic opportunity.

“Hopefully he will act as an inspiration to the students, as someone who started off having music lessons with us, became a music teacher himself and is now enjoying such success.”

More information about East Sussex Music is available at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/music

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.sussexexpress.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Sussex-Express/

3) Follow us on Twitter @sussex_express

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Sussex Express - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: