Andy Scott – Performer biography
Saxophonist Andy Scott is respected as a creative contemporary musician with a proactive approach to initiating projects, ensembles and collaborations. As a performer, Andy has made regular appearances on the international stage, both as a soloist and with his various ensembles, including recent performances at the World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia and Bangkok. In a successful career spanning a quarter of a century, Andy and his ensembles have released a number of highly acclaimed CDs and have been featured on BBC Radio and TV.
Andy is the Tenor Saxophonist and a founder member of the internationally acclaimed and multi prizewinning Apollo Saxophone Quartet, touring internationally, recording for Decca/Argo, Black Box, BMG and Quartz, and broadcasting regularly for BBC Radio. The ensemble has made a highly significant contribution to the contemporary saxophone quartet repertoire by commissioning and premiering over 100 works from established composers. Formed at the Royal Northern College of Music in 1985, the quartet recently achieved its first 25 years, celebrating with a new commission, CD and tour.
Andy also performs in his own large ensemble Sax Assault, which has recorded two CDs, with guests Bob Mintzer and Gwilym Simcock, and been featured on BBC Radio 3 Jazz Notes. Andy and percussionist Dave Hassell have worked as an experimental Duo since 1996, performing internationally, including an appearance in New York City as part of the 33rd IAJE Conference, and releasing two albums. Andy is involved in many collaborative projects with other artists, most recently Caliente, a new trio with flautist Clare Southworth and harpist Lauren Scott.
As a performer, Andy has been proactive in raising the profile of the tenor saxophone as a contemporary classical instrument over the last 20 years. He formed the World Tenor Saxophone Consortium in 2003, co-commissioning a work from Graham Fitkin for simultaneous premiere worldwide, and released a solo CD My Mountain Top, featuring a number of world premiere recordings. As a solo artist Andy recently performed the Richard Rodney Bennett Concerto for Stan Getz with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, broadcast live by Radio 3.
Andy Scott is Vice President of the International Saxophone Committee and director of a Tenor Saxophone strand in the World Saxophone Congress XVI. He is the recipient of a teaching award from the RNCM to develop an online tenor saxophone repertoire resource, currently in development.
Andy Scott is an endorsee of Selmer Paris Saxophones and Vandoren. He plays Selmer Mk6 tenor and soprano saxophones, and a Selmer S80 Series II alto saxophone.
“Andy Scott was the soloist here, demonstrating apparently effortless control” – The Independent: Review of Concerto for Stan Getz