Welcome to my new improving website and the first of my regular "latest news"!

It's been a busy few months with some great musical experiences and learning opportunities. Highlights include a concert with duo partner Dave Hassell at the '5emes journees de la Percussion' in Paris, sponsored by Sabian, not only a good gig but an opportunity to listen to percussionists from Mexico, USA, Japan & Europe. The previous week was the CASS Conference 2002 at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff. As a Visiting Tutor of Saxophone at RWCMD, it was good to be able to do a gig there, with Trio Halata (world music), a workshop (SaxAssault charts), and co-direct the Royal Northern College of Music Saxophone Orchestra, who premiered a new piece of mine.

The Kintamarni Quartet played 'Now & Then', a piece that they commissioned from me in 2001, which is published by Astute Music Ltd. I haven't been able to perform at recent CASS Conferences due to other committments, but it was a great experience hearing and meeting so many good saxophonists. Personal thanks go to the organisers of the CASS Conference and the RWCMD.

November 7-11th saw US saxophonist/composer Bob Mintzer come to Manchester to give master classes and concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music (an event that Rob Buckland and myself organised). I admire Bob greatly as a musician and a person. He is an inspiration to all around him. The RNCM Big Band - directed by Mike Hall, performed an all Mintzer programme with Bob solo-ing on the Saturday night, followed on the Sunday by the 2nd RNCM Saxophone Day where Bob was the special guest. Over 200 sax players supported the RNCM Sax Day - a big thank you to all of you!

The day included the world premiere of Nigel Wood's 'Reed Rage' performed by massed saxes; a Bob Mintzer master class that gave us all an insight into his approach to music and the saxophone; and classes in the afternoon by Jim Muirhead (clarinet/sax Halle Orchestra), Andy Wilson (Tutor at Chethams School of Music), Tim Redpath & David Roach (Apollo Sax Quartet) and Mike Hall (Tutor of Jazz Saxophone, RNCM).

In the evening Gala Concert the Apollo gave a short first set, including a performance of Bob Mintzer's 1st Saxophone Quartet that we commissioned from him in the mid-1990's. Bob played an amazing set with a fine North West based rhythm section: Paul Kilvington, Pete Turner and Dave Hassell; and the evening ended with a set from SaxAssault. Bob guested for the last three numbers - standing next to him when he was solo-ing was an eye-opener!! He really makes a huge sound when he's going for it, but he looks, and is, so relaxed and never loses control in any musical area.

If you're a sax player please come along to the 3rd RNCM Saxophone Day, Autumn 2003, date to be confirmed.

The Apollo Quartet has also been busy. We premiered Barbara Thompson's 2nd Sax Quartet at the Purcell Room in October; are recording a CD at Barbara and Jon Hiseman's studio in December of Barbara's compositions for the ASQ. Next week the group performs at Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival - new works by Matt Wright (a 60-minute piece - music, video, sampling.....) and Dai Fujikura, two young composers that are creating their own sound worlds and offering audiences something different.

On the composing front; the Sonata for Flute & Harp that I finished composing earlier this year has been recorded and is available at: www.arabesque-duo.co.uk/sonata.htm together with soundbites you can hear. I'm currently writing a piece for Flute and Piano - commissioned by Clare Southworth, to be premiered at St.John Smiths Square, London, Friday 28th February. Astute Music Ltd have also recently published a piece I wrote for solo sax (Bb) with CD - My Mountain Top.

Many thanks for reading this issue of 'latest news'.

Andy