Andy Scott

Thanks for the positive feedback about the first Latest News feature. So here is the second one, and it’s just an opportunity to mention a few things that have been going on and that are coming up that might be of interest.

In terms of gigs, 2003 to date has been pretty varied. The Apollo Quartet has been busy: a short tour collaborating with percussion quartet 4-Mality (including a gig in Galway, Ireland, a beautiful place); a St. John’s gig in London with Barbara Thompson (performing music that Barbara wrote for us); a performance in Austria of Michael Nyman’s ‘Concerto for Saxophone Quartet & Orchestra’; and more gigs in our on-going collaboration with poet Lemn Sissay.

Other gigs have included being a part of the BBC Philharmonic Education Project ensemble that premiered ‘Supermarket Symphony’ by Barry Russell at an Asda store in Manchester! Northern Sinfonia playing music by Mark-Anthony Turnage (a fantastic composer), and latin-jazz gigs with Apitos and Roberto Pla.

In April, Rob Buckland and myself took our fourteen students at the Royal Northern College of Music to the Berlin Conservatoire for the ‘1st European Meeting of Saxophone Ensembles’ which was organised by Johannes Ernst. It was good to hear groups from France, Germany and Italy and check out their repertoire! The RNCM Sax Orchestra pulled out the stops on its gig, and as the only British representative was well received.

In February, Clare Southworth and Tim Carey gave the world premiere of my Sonata for Flute & Piano at St. John’s Smith Square. Special thanks to Miyazawa UK and Trevor J James & Co. for financially supporting the commission. Clare & Tim have also recently performed this piece in America, as has Gerard McChrystal with ‘My Mountain Top’ (solo sax and cd).

A couple of plugs!: In January I tutored on the Saxophone Experience course at Benslow, with Gerard McChrystal. Good fun, and there is another course 27-29 June. The Benslow courses are for adults and focus on ensemble playing. The only Summer School that I tutor on is at Woldingham 26-31 July (www.summermusic.org.uk). This really is a fantastic setting with flute and saxophone courses running concurrently, all possible due to the support of Jonathan Myall Music.

Steve Gilbert is a great friend of mine and I’m organising a gig with him which will feature the world premiere of ‘Real Dreams’ that Steve has written. It’s at Band on the Wall in Manchester on Thursday 31st July and is one of the featured gigs in this year's Manchester Jazz Festival. At this stage, musicians in the 12-piece band include ‘Snake’ Davis (sax/flute), Mike Walker (guitar) and Roy Powell (kbds). So, if you’re around then come along!

Also, I’m delighted to be working with saxophone makers Trevor J James & Co. This includes helping out with design suggestions for their saxes, supporting the new ‘Signature Series’ sax, and developing an education programme with them. A 20-date UK Saxophone Workshop Tour is being organised for Autumn 2003/Spring 2004. TJJ make beginner and intermediate saxes, so I can work with them and still play my trusty Selmer Mark 6’s!

All of my music is to be self-published. In the next Latest News I’ll give you details about a new company, Astute Music, where you can buy the sheet music online!

Thanks for reading this and if you’re a musician or non-musician just keep enjoying music! It is an escape from some of the mad things that are happening in the world at the moment.........

Take it easy,

Andy

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