About Us

WHO?... the names behind JAM

Johns and Mushroom (JAM) was formed from two smaller businesses which were both well-known  percussion suppliers in the UK . The two directors of JAM are Graham C. Johns and Tony Lucas. Both are still active professional percussionists with nearly 75 years experience behind them.

Graham C. Johns

Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, from a young age Graham benefited from New Zealand's rich musical education, proceeding through the ranks of the Christchurch Youth Orchestras, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, the New Zealand National Youth Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In 1975 Graham was appointed as Principal Timpanist of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra in Australia, the youngest Principal in the country at that time.

This was followed by three years of study with Jan Pustjens and Jan Labordus at the Amsterdam Conservatoire. Subsequently Graham played regularly as a percussionist, and occasional timpanist, with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (his initial debut was on Harmoniker!) and with many of the Netherlands finest orchestras.

Graham then traveled to the USA to Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Ohio to study with Michael Rosen, graduating in 1982 (BMus). Shortly after he won a coveted scholarship to the Boston Symphony Orchestra's 1983 Tanglewood Summer Music School to work with Vic Firth and Frank Epstein, playing under conductors Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa.

In 1983 Graham was appointed as Section Leader Percussion of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, where he currently performs. On a number of occasions Graham has performed as soloist with the RLPO including the UK premiere of Takemitsu 'Gitimalya' for marimba and orchestra, broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.

By special invitation in 1995 Graham became a founding member of the World Orchestra for Peace, firstly under George Solti and currently under Valerie Gergiev. This amazing ensemble performs around the world as 'Ambassadors for Peace'. http://www.worldorchestraforpeace.com

Graham is also well known throughout the UK and Europe for his Orchestral Percussion masterclasses and workshops. In 1996 he made his USA debut at a number colleges and universities. This was followed by an appearance at the Nashville Convention of the Percussive Arts Society.

His business interests began with 'Pro-phonic' Percussion in 1984 and developed into Graham C. Johns Percussion over 19 years, culminating in the formation of JAM Percussion in 2003.

Tony Lucas

After formative years in Nottingham, Tony studied at the Royal College of Music in London.

Graduating from the RCM in 1982 it was as a freelance player that Tony built up a wide range of experience in all types of music-making. He has performed with many of the top British symphony, opera and chamber orchestras and regularly worked in West End Shows such as Oliver!, Candide and Passion. Other work included recording sessions, such as commercial film sound-tracks for 'Mr Bean the Movie', 'The Young Americans' and for TV 'The Borrowers'.

During the mid 80s Tony began to specialise in ballet with appointments as Principal Timpani with London City Ballet and Sub-Principal (later Principal) Percussion of the Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet orchestra (now Birmingham Royal Ballet). In 1988 Tony became Principal Timpani for the New London Orchestra and has played in many recordings with the NLO, especially the series of British Light Music Classics for Hyperion.

In 1994 the New London Orchestra performed with Matthew Bourne's 'Adventures in Motion Pictures' Company which led to the successful 'Swan Lake' tour, West End run and TV recording in 1996. This was followed by 'Cinderella' in 1998 and a UK tour and performances at the Old Vic of 'The Carman' in 2000.

Tony's business interests began in 1988 when Mushroom Covers was formed. (The name is taken from his father's Lithuanian surname, Baravykas, meaning King of the Mushrooms) This built up over 15 years before merging with Graham C. Johns Percussion in January 2003.

Complementing his musical qualifications, Tony has passed both the Certificate and Diploma of Professional Management with the Open University-part qualifications for an MBA.

Sam Pope

Sam's interest in percussion started at the age of 8 when he took up playing Side Drum his local Scout marching band. Soon after he took up drum kit, shortly followed by lessons in tuned and orchestral percussion.

After spending most of his formative years playing in various youth orchestras and other ensembles in the North West, Sam spent 3 years studying classical percussion and performance at Huddersfield University with Chris Bradley, where he gained a B.Mus (Honours) degree.

After university, Sam returned to Liverpool and took up a management position here at JAM as well as teaching and working as a freelance musician around Liverpool and the North West, playing in many orchestras, shows and ensembles.