Andy Scott

STOP PRESS NEWS !!!!

SaxAssault @ World Saxophone Congress in Ljubljana, Slovenia on Thursday 6th July 2006 in concert with the Slovenian Radio Big Band and the Yellowjackets!

Sponsorship for this event has been secured and SaxAssault are able to confirm its invitation to perform as part of the 'Selmer Jazz Night'.

Thanks to Selmer Paris for becoming the main sponsor of the NEW SaxAssault CD that the band will be recording on 3rd-4th July over two 'live' gigs at DeBees, Winsford. The band also premieres new charts, written by Andy, in Derby on Sunday 2nd July. Special guest on the SaxAssault CD is Bob Mintzer.

On Friday 7th July in the evening Gala Concert of the World Saxophone Congress, John Harle & Rob Buckland are the soloists with the Slovenian Army Band in 'Dark Rain' (Andy's Concerto for Two Saxophones and Wind Band). COMING SOON: Astute Music will be publishing this piece, score and parts will also be available for hire (www.astute-music.com).

A few words from Andy:

Special thanks to the various sponsors of SaxAssault. Being able to represent the UK in the World Saxophone Congress 'Selmer Jazz Night' is a great honour. I'm also so delighted that John & Rob are free and willing to perform 'Dark Rain' the next day at the WSC. They played on a demo recording of the piece a few weeks ago and they both sounded stunning !! Thanks also to Jim Gourlay (conducting) and Dave Chatterton and the Chethams School of Music Wind Band, who also played brilliantly!

Working with Sir Richard Rodney Bennett in March, performing his 'Concerto for Stan Getz' was an incredible experience. What a musician he is, so versatile, and modest. I put a lot of practise in and did my best. John Wilson was a fantastic conductor to work with, and the BBC Concert Orchestra (fortunately) didn't give me a hard time!

It was also a privilege to work with my good friend Bill Connor. His piece 'Oodunnit' was premiered by the Apollo Quartet in March. Bill's understanding of colour and shape is second to none, and like RRB, he is a great person who seems to have an ability to differentiate clearly between the main focus of creating and performing music, and the political bull**** that sometimes tries to take over.

I'm learning a few new tunes to play with Dave Hassell as the Duo goes to Mexico this Friday. Being a freelance musician might well be financially extremely risky, but it does have its perks, in this case experiencing a glimpse of life and culture in a country that I would probably (in 'normal' circumstances) not be able to visit.

Have a good Easter, and thanks once again for visiting my web site !

Best wishes,
Andy

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