English born musician Ivor Ottley began his musical career aged 9 as a cathedral chorister in Bury St Edmunds, suffolk, UK.

After a couple of years of classical violin lessons as a child, Ivor began teaching himself American old-time, Irish and bluegrass fiddle from recordings before having some lessons with Pete Cooper, a well known folk player and teacher based in London. He was helped enormously by his friend Bob Winquist, a canadian classical viola player and luckily for Ivor also an excellent bluegrass fiddle player,

Eventually a curiosity and taste for improvisation lead him to swing jazz. He studied with the late jazz fiddle great, Johnny Van Derek, a leading light on the British jazz scene.

As a mature student Ivor studied classical violin at Trinity music college in London with Diana Cummings and John Crawford.
     

 
A desire for stylistic integrity and a strong belief that a sense of the spirit and soul of musical styles are contained in the communities from where they originate, has led Ivor to travel widely, playing with many world leading musicians in many different styles.

He lived on the west coast of Ireland for many years absorbing traditional Irish music, and most recently Stockholm, Sweden playing Swing Jazz.

Ivor has won several awards, becoming the West Tennessee Bluegrass fiddle champion 2012, the first European player to win the accolade, and top soloist award in the all Sweden 'Classic Jazz' finals 2013.


Ivor has worked as a performer, recording artist, producer, composer, author, workshop leader and teacher, and has broadcast and toured extensively throughout Europe and the USA.

In 2014 ivor started a music label, “Ivor Ottley Music” and released the album, 'Skating Across The Baltic' in collaboration with Swedish born banjo player/vocalist/composer Lena Ullman.

Ivor has just released a new album, “Soundscapes” which is available on this website in both digital download and physical cd form. Please click link below.