It gave me great pleasure to take SaxAssault to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester a couple of days ago, sharing the concert with Julian Arguelles. The concert sponsor was Mawdsleys, who commissioned me to write a new work for the occasion. I called the piece 'Group S' and it was premiered alongside arrangements that I completed of 'Fujiko' (originally written for the British Clarinet Ensemble) and 'Salt of the Earth' (originally the third movement of the Tuba Concerto, Les Neish & Fodens). Two new works were written, 'Sabretooth' by Mike Hall & 'What Might Have Been' by Rob Buckland, both fine pieces! SaxAssault rehearsed the day before the RNCM gig & the band presented nearly 40 minutes worth of new music, all in a 60- minute programme! What great players!!

Below is a photo from the rehearsal in the RNCM Concert Hall (saxes only, apologies to our fine rhythm section). Plans are already underway for a third SaxAssault CD in 2009.

SaxAssault@RNCM 25th April 2008

Left to Right:

Rob Buckland, Carl Raven, Simon Willescroft, Jim Muirhead, Andy Scott, Mike Hall, John Helliwell, Andy Findon & Jim Fieldhouse.