Alyn Cosker was born and raised in Ayr, Scotland into a house filled with music thanks to his dad, Jim, a local pianist and theatre MD. He began playing drums at age 13 and after studying with a few local teachers and performing with various school and regional big bands/ensembles he won an International Scholarship to study at the famous Berklee College of Music at age 16. After leaving high school he decided to study at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow where he graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in 'Applied Music'.

A regular on the Scottish jazz scene he has performed with many artists of both national and international standing. They include Tommy Smith, Jim Mullen, Lee Konitz, Courtney Pine, Bheki Mseleku, Paul Towndrow, Claire Martin, Geoffrey Keezer, Annie Ross (Lambert, Hendricks & Ross), Frank Gambale, Geoff Gascoigne, Clare Teal, Brian Kellock, Jason Rebello, Scott Hamilton, Bruce Barth, Nigel Hitchcock, Steve Hamilton, Madaleine Eastman, Ethan Iverson, Leo Blanco, Warren Vaché, David Newton, Carol Kidd, Bruce Adams, Damon Brown, Tim Garland, Keith Tippet.

Alyn is the drummer with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, a position he has held for the past 4 years. In 2004, through jazz saxophonist Tommy Smiths recommendation, Alyn was invited to deputise for drummer Gary Novak (Chick Corea, Alannis Morrisette) in Joe Lockes Four Walls of Freedom band which featured Tommy Smith and Ed Howard (Shirley Horn, Roy Haynes) where he played for a weeks residency at Ronnie Scott’s club in London. At last years Edinburgh International Jazz Festival he was called in at alarmingly short notice to replace the Italian drummer Paolo Vinaccia for a gig with Tommy Smith and the renowned Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen. The Smith-Andersen-Vinaccio configuration had already made a formidable reputation for itself, but Cosker's performance was much talked about; The Scotsman’s respected music reviewer, Kenny Mathieson, remarking that if the festival "had an award for grace under pressure, then it would surely have to go to Alyn Cosker". He is also featured on Tommy Smith latest album - Forbidden Fruit.

One recent challenge has seen Cosker at the heart of the SNJO's tribute to Buddy Rich. "It's been a great experience," says Cosker of donning the mantle of the famously explosive Rich. "I felt I had to approach it à la Buddy and not use any music. I learned the arrangements from CDs and stuff and really tried to get into the character of Buddy's playing." The tour earned a 5 star review.

As well as enjoying playing in the jazz genre, Alyn has a deep love for many other styles of music including, Rock, Funk, R&B and Folk and for the past 5 years he has recorded and toured all over Europe and America with top celtic band Wolfstone. He is also featured on many independent and major albums, including the Isobel Campbell (Belle & Sebastian) and Mark Lanagan (Queen's of the Stone Age) on their 2006 Mercury Prize nominated album Ballad of the Broken Seas and her follow up album 'Sunday at Devil Dirt'. He's recently recorded an album with singer/songwriter Gareth Davies Jones, Daniel Wylie (Cosmic Rough Riders), Fraser Fifield and the amazing jazz vocalist Carol Kidd - Dreamsville on Linn Records. He has also just recently returned from a tour in Europe with Isobel Campbell, promoting her new album.

June 2009 is an exciting time for Alyn, as it see the launch of his first solo album - Lyn’s Une, which he has written, arranged & produced. Lyn’s Une, which will be released on Linn Records will be accompanied with a busy 'Tune-Up' tour across the country. The gigs will features his regular trio - Ross Hamilton (bass) & David Dunsmuir (gtr) as well as special guests - Tommy Smith (tnr sax), Jason Rebello (pno), Paul Towndrow (alto/sop sax), Ryan Quigley (trumpet) & Maureen McMullan (vox).

For further information - www.myspace.com/alyncosker