Alan Cuckston was born near Leeds and read Music at King’s College. He successfully auditioned for the BBC as a keyboard soloist and joined the staff of the Music Department at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts at the University of Birmingham. He has been a freelance player, with some specialization in early keyboard instruments—harpsichord, organ and fortepiano.

He has given concerts in many parts of Europe and North America and has toured as harpsichordist with the Academy of St Martin-in-the-Fields and as organist with Pro Cantione Antiqua.

Alan Cuckston has made recordings of an extensive repertoire of music, ranging from the middle ages to the present day. He has released harpsichord music by Handel, Rameau and Couperin on Naxos and the complete piano music of Alan Rawsthorne on Swinsty Records.