Simon H. Fell (13 January 1959 - 28 June 2020) studied double bass under Peter Leah at Batley Grammar School and Huddersfield Polytechnic. By the age of 16 he was playing professionally, accompanying some of the world's most renowned cabaret performers at the legendary Batley Variety Club. He received his M.A. from Cambridge University in 1984, having studied at Fitzwilliam College. He is best known as a composer/performer in the fields of improvised music, contemporary composition and experimental jazz.