Andy Scott

Creating new music for percussion and saxophone, the Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo has recently returned from a performance in New York City as part of the 33rd International Association of Jazz Educators (one of only three UK ensembles to be invited to perform). The Duo’s Cd ‘SandDancer’ is available on the Quartz label,‘as comfortable and fearless as a Duo can get!’ Modern Drummer remarked. In 2006/2007 the Duo tour South Africa, Mexico and the UK with a new project, ‘Summer with Monica’. Dave and Andy improvise around the words of the classic Roger McGough poem whilst specially commissioned Warhol-style images are the projected backdrop. ‘Summer with Monica’ will be released on DVD in 2007.

‘SaxAssault’ is Andy’s large ensemble. Formed in 1994 the group comprises nine saxophones (from sopranino through to bass) with rhythm section. Andy’s compositions for SaxAssault are carefully crafted to feature every member of the ensemble, whether an improviser or more classically-trained musician. ‘SaxAssault’ has been featured on BBC Radio 3 ‘Jazz Notes’ performing new compositions by Andy commissioned as a result of him being a recipient of the Peter Whittingham Award. Plans for 2006/2007 include a UK Tour, new recording (with special guest Bob Mintzer), and a performance by invitation at the World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia.

Since its formation in 1985 Andy has held the tenor saxophone chair in the internationally renowned Apollo Saxophone Quartet. The ASQ is dedicated to commissioning, performing and recording new music for saxophones, with over one hundred works to date from composers including Michael Torke, Django Bates, Dominic Muldowney, Michael Nyman, Will Gregory, Joby Talbot…… Recordings have been released with Decca/Argo, Black Box, BMG, and most recently Quartz. The ASQ has tours regularly throughout Europe and Japan, and regularly broadcasts on BBC Radio 3.

In 2003 Andy formed the ‘World Tenor Saxophone Consortium’, who commissioned British composer Graham Fitkin to write a new work for tenor saxophone and CD. ‘Passing’ was given simultaneous world premieres in April 2005 in Manchester, London, Dublin, New York, Tokyo, Jakarta, Milan, Moscow, Cardiff and Berlin. Plans are underway for the second WTSC commission, to be premiered in Autumn 2007.

Meanwhile Andy has premiered new works for tenor saxophone, many written for him, including ‘Lampoons’ by Christopher Bochman, ‘Dawn Song’ by Pete Meechan, ‘Lullaby’ by Paul Mitchell-Davidson, and ‘Volhardirj’ by Matt Wright. Along with world premiere recordings of Fitkins ‘Passing’ and Sir Richard Rodney Bennetts ‘Concerto for Stan Getz’ (tenor saxophone and piano version, performed and edited by Peter Lawson and Andy Scott in conjunction with Richard Rodney Bennett) this collection of works for tenor saxophone have been recorded by Andy for release on a CD entitled ‘My Mountain Top’ in 2006. ‘My Mountain top’ tours with ‘Summer with Monica’ in a multimedia double bill programme.

Andy is Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music, Artistic Director of the Harrogate Saxophone Summer School and co-Artistic Director of the annual Royal Northern College of Music Saxophone Day. Andy is Selmer Paris Performing Artist.

His performing work centres around the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, the Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo and SaxAssault, as well as solo tenor saxophone projects. In March 2006 Andy performed "Concerto for Stan Getz" by Richard Rodney Bennett with the BBC Concert Orchestra as part of the composers 70th birthday celebration concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall broadcast live by BBC radio 3.

As a founder member of the internationally renowned Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Andy has, since 1985, been involved in the commissioning of new music for saxophones, with over one hundred works to date from composers including Michael Torke, Django Bates, Dominic Muldowney, Michael Nyman, Will Gregory, Joby Talbot and Richard Rodney Bennett. The ASQ has tours regularly throughout Europe and Japan, records for a variety of labels and broadcasts on BBC Radio 3.

With the Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo, Andy recently performed in New York at the 33rd International Association of Jazz Educators. Next season the duo tours South Africa, Mexico and the UK with a new multimedia project, 'Summer with Monica', also to be released on DVD. SaxAssault is Andy's large ensemble, comprising nine saxophones (from sopranino through to bass) with rhythm section. Plans for next season include a UK tour and a performance at the World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia.

Andy has premiered numerous works for tenor saxophone, many written specially for him. He is a Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music, and Saxophone Consultant at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, as well as Artistic Director of the Harrogate Saxophone Summer School and co-Artistic Director of the annual Royal Northern College of Music Saxophone Day. In 2003 he formed the World Tenor Saxophone Consortium. Andy Scott is a Selmer Paris Performing Artist.

Exploring, experimenting and creating new music for percussion and saxophone.

The Duo was formed in 1998. 'SandDancer' is its debut CD recording, released on the Quartz label, and is an intimate reflection of both Dave and Andy’s musical experiences. Ranging from the free improvisations of As it Happened to arrangements of jazz standards Django, My One & Only Love, and Moanin through to original compositions such as Otria, SandDancer and The Light That Falls, the duo display musical versatility, empathy and honesty.

Performances have included ; Manchester Jazz Festival, Oxford Jazz, Saxophony 2000 (Bridgewater Hall, Manchester), Royal Northern College of Music Percussion & Saxophone Days, 5emes Jounees de la Percussion at Conservatoire Superieur de Paris, and in January 2006 a performance at the International Association of Jazz Educators 33rd Annual Conference in New York City, USA.

In 2006/2007 the Duo tour South Africa, Mexico and the UK with a new project, ‘Summer with Monica’. Dave and Andy improvise around the words of the classic Roger McGough poem whilst specially commissioned Warhol-style images are the projected backdrop. ‘Summer with Monica’ will be released on DVD in 2007.

Dave Hassell is a widely experienced drummer/latin percussionist who has performed with artists as diverse as St Winnifreds Choir, ET Mensa, Dr John and the London Symphony Orchestra as well as leading his large group, Apitos ! Playing squeaky toy dogs, exotic percussion or drum kit Dave is equally comfortable performing free improvised music to complex arrangements. He is one of the UK's most respected educationalists; regularly hosting workshops and masterclasses, teaching at all the Royal Conservatories, whilst his own series of tutorial books are widely used throughout the music profession. www.davehassell.co.uk.

Andy Scott is an extremely versatile saxophonist, performing contemporary music, jazz, funk and salsa, and free improvisations. His performing work centres around the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, SaxAssault, Hassell-Scott Duo as well as solo tenor saxophone projects. Andy is also a respected composer who apart from being commissioned by leading performers writes for today's young musicians, and gives composition & improvisation workshops/masterclasses in schools, universities and music conservatories. He is a Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music, Saxophone Consultant at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Andy Scott is a Selmer Paris Performing Artist. www.andyscott.org.uk

Quotes -
"...as comfortable and fearless as a duo can get..." Modern Drummer

"The sheer raw energy - two people couldn't possibly make that much music!" Saxophone Journal, US

As well as being commissioned by leading performers, Andy writes for today's young musicians, and gives composition & improvisation workshops/masterclasses in schools, universities and music conservatories. He is also an extremely versatile saxophonist, performing contemporary music, jazz, funk and salsa, and free improvisations, creates new projects and is respected educator.

In March 2006 Andy performed "Concerto for Stan Getz" by Richard Rodney Bennett with the BBC Concert Orchestra as part of the composers 70th birthday concert at London’s South Bank Centre, broadcast live by BBC Radio 3. As a founder member of the internationally renowned Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Andy has, since 1985, been involved in the commissioning of new music for saxophones, with over one hundred works to date, many of which are now standard saxophone quartet repertoire. The ASQ has recorded numerous CDs and regularly tours Europe and Japan. The Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo has performed in New York, Mexico and the UK. Their debut CD Sand Dancer is released on the Quartz label. SaxAssault (Andy's large ensemble) recently performed in a televised concert in Slovenia with the Yellowjackets & RTV Slovenia Big Band. SaxAssault’s second CD, Surfacing for Air, with special guest Bob Mintzer is to be released in February 2007. As a soloist, Andy has premiered numerous works for tenor saxophone many written especially for him, and has just released a CD of music for tenor saxophone, My Mountain Top.

He is Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music, Saxophone Consultant at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Artistic Director of the Harrogate Saxophone Summer School and co-Artistic Director of the annual Royal Northern College of Music Saxophone Day. In 2004 he formed the World Tenor Saxophone Consortium. Andy Scott is a Selmer Paris Performing Artist. His compositions are published by Astute Music Ltd.