Andy Scott

Welcome back folks ! I hope that you've all had an enjoyable Summer wherever you may be.

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, a new publishing company, Astute Music, is publishing my music. Please visit: astute-music.com for more information.

I'm currently writing a work for tuba with CD, for James Gourlay, to be premiered in Manchester on Sunday 16th November. The instructions are that all the 'sounds' on the CD have to have originated from his tuba. We had fun the other day recording as many bizarre sounds that you can get from that particular instrument ! (as well as conventional long notes). The challenge is to now compose something that is musically challenging and coherent.

In July I started a residency with DB5 (a jazz quintet) at DeBees, a club about five minutes stagger from my house. It's great having a regular local gig, learning jazz standards, getting down to some transcribing solos and charts, and working with good players. Well recommended!

Two gigs really stood out for me this Summer: 'Real Dreams' at Band on the Wall as part of Manchester Jazz Festival. It was an honour for me to direct a band that consisted of Richard Iles, Duncan Winfield, Chris 'Snake' Davis, Mike Walker, Glen Cartlidge, Roy Powell, Paul Kilvington, Steve Williams and Eryl Roberts. Counting in a chart was like pressing 'play' on a CD player! This band was put together to perform new compositions by Steve Gilbert, and great charts they were, nice one Steve. The other highlight was a Duo gig with Dave Hassell at Woldingham International Summer School (where I was tutoring alongside Rob Buckland, Tim Redpath and Sarah Field). Dave is an inspiration to lots of musicians, myself included, so it has been great fun over the last five years or so developing the Duo. We plan to release our second CD in 2004.

If you're a saxophone player then hopefully see you at the Royal Northern College of Music Saxophone Day, Manchester UK, on Sunday 26th October. Rob Buckland and I organise this event and we're giving a short lunchtime concert - Rob with Simone Rebello & Peter Lawson, myself with Dave Hassell. During the day I'll be giving workshops using the SaxAssault charts as well as a 'composing and arranging for saxophone' session. The evening Gala Concert features the RNCM Saxophone Orchestra premiering new works by Joby Talbot and Barbara Thompson, Mike Hall's stunning new project 'Crystal', and Iain Dixon with his all-star quintet (I've known Iain for years, he's a brilliant musician, recently recording on Michael Brecker's new album). See the 'gig list' for RNCM contact information.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and 'all the best'

Andy

[back]