Andy Scott has a lifelong passion for music and over 30 years experience of initiating creative projects. He is a highly versatile contemporary musician, with a distinctive saxophonic and compositional voice that encompasses elements of jazz, world and contemporary classical styles.
Photo: Alex Armstrong-Holding
Highlights of recent years include the world premiere of Andy’s Tenor Saxophone Concerto at the World Saxophone Congress (performed by Branford Marsalis and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra under Clark Rundell), tours with the Apollo Saxophone Quartet and Group S (formerly known as SaxAssault) including sell-out concerts at the London Jazz Festival, residencies in Australia, Hong Kong and the USA, and a PRSF New Music Biennial commission for Foden's Band, harpist Lauren Scott and soprano Anna-Clare Monk, conducted by Michael Fowles. November 2017 saw the World Premiere of his Concerto for Guitar with chamber orchestra, written for Craig Ogden & a chamber orchestra consortium fronted by the Northern Chamber Orchestra (UK). Andy is multi-nominated and winner of a prestigious BASCA British Composer Award.
March 2017 saw the release of the much anticipated studio-recorded Andy Scott's Group S CD, entitled 'Ruby & All Things Purple'.
“Andy Scott was the soloist here, demonstrating apparently effortless control”
The Independent Review of Concerto for Stan Getz with the BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor John Wilson at the South Bank Centre
As a creative contemporary musician, Andy is proactive in initiating collaborative projects that centre around performance and composition, often combining the two. Andy both performs in and writes for Group S (formerly known as SaxAssault), Apollo Saxophone Quartet and the Dave Hassell–Andy Scott Duo. Many projects, such as the 'In the Moment' collaboration with conductor Nicholas Kok and the Lancashire Sinfonietta featured Andy as both composer and performer.
“Andy Scott is a consumate musician. He knows about a wide variety of music, can write and play in these styles with great expertise, and is a dynamic teacher in these areas as well. I've had the pleasure of working with Andy at the RNCM numerous times, and he always displays a great enthusiasm and focus in what he does. We need more teachers and players, and, most importantly, instigators to keep the music fresh and moving forward."
Bob Mintzer
“..as comfortable and fearless as a duo can get”
Modern Drummer (reviews Sand Dancer, Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo)
Andy’s long term commitment to the tenor saxophone has led to performance based projects such as the solo CD My Mountain Top, the formation of the online Tenor Saxophone Index, the Tenor Saxophone Consortium & the Tenor Saxophone Collective (a 12-tenor sax group that performs at the World and European Saxophone Congresses).
“Nine saxophones from Sopranino to Bass, combined with a funky rhythm section and Andy's roaring charts, SaxAssault gets rave reviews whenever it plays live. Featuring an exceptional line up of sax players and rhythm section, this group exudes energy and excitement!”
Jazz UK
”...the quartet’s ensemble of saxophone registers sounding as tight as fingers in a fist”
The Independent Apollo Saxophone Quartet
Andy’s composition based projects include The Bad Tempered Flute, a CD of his music for flute featuring three stunning flautists in an innovative collaboration, and the award winning CD A World Within and Spirit of Fodens which documents Andy’s ongoing collaboration as Composer in Residence with Foden’s Brass Band.
Latest creative projects include collaborations with John Helliwell, Manchester Jazz Festival, Tim McAllister and João Pedro Silva.
Latest creative projects include collaborations with John Helliwell, Manchester Jazz Festival, Tim McAllister and João Pedro Silva.
“A polished and perceptive performance... marvellous textural variety... also humour”
The Times Apollo Saxophone Quartet
“A unique virtuoso banquet”
Classical Music Magazine Apollo Saxophone Quartet
Andy Scott – Composer biography
As a successful contemporary composer, Andy Scott integrates his composition work with his various performance projects and education activities. He works to commission, and is increasingly in demand to write for leading instrumentalists and ensembles on the world stage. Andy takes a collaborative approach to the development of a new piece, working closely with the performers and, in some cases, other creative artists to achieve a highly personal, tailored work. Self taught as a composer, Andy’s distinctive compositional voice speaks with a unique and effective mix of jazz, world music and contemporary classical elements.
Andy Scott received a British Composer Award in 2006 for his double saxophone concerto Dark Rain. In 2010 Crossing Waves, a work for solo harp, was premiered at Carnegie Hall NYC, Three Letter Word, commissioned by the Park Lane Group was premiered at the South Bank Centre London, Seven Dances and No Looking Back featured on the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet Chandos CD Dances, and his piece Jukebox was given a world premiere at the Southbank Centre by respected harpist Sioned Williams. A project with Lancashire Sinfonietta and Nicholas Kok saw Andy commissioned to write an hour of music for strings, rhythm section and solo saxophone.
Andy is composer in residence with Foden’s Band, whose first recording of his works A World Within won the British Bandsman CD of the Year in 2010. Having made an impression as a skilled writer for brass, the relationship with Foden’s has led to Andy’s works being featured on prizewinning recordings by Les Neish (tuba) and Glyn Williams (euphonium). Andy’s work Spirit of Mingus, commissioned by Foden’s, was shortlisted for a British Composer Award in 2012, and features on Spirit of Foden’s, a second CD of Andy Scott brass band works released in 2013.
Andy Scott was one of twenty composers selected for a prestigious New Music Biennial commission, composing a new work for Foden’s Band, harpist Lauren Scott, soprano/narrator Anna-Clare Monk and four narrators drawn from Foden’s Youth Band. Entitled A Child Like You, the composition received its world premiere performance at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester in May 2014. It also featured in special weekend festivals at London’s Southbank Centre and Glasgow UNESCO City of Music. A Child Like You was nominated for a BASCA British Composer Award in 2015.
The Bad Tempered Flute, an album of Andy’s compositions for flute, was released in 2011 on the Nimbus Alliance label, featuring Paul Edmund-Davies, Clare Southworth and Andy Findon, with Craig Ogden, Peter Lawson, Lauren Scott and Tim Carey.
In 2012 he was commissioned to write a Concerto for Tenor Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra, which was premiered at the World Saxophone Congress in St Andrews by Branford Marsalis and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Clark Rundell.
All his works are published exclusively by Astute Music, and as well as concert works, Andy has a number of compositions on the syllabi for ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall grade examinations.
Andy often has the opportunity to integrate composition and performance in his various ensembles. As Tenor Saxophonist and a founder member of the internationally acclaimed Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Andy composed several works specifically for the group. His Phantom Sweetheart, a four movement work written as part of the quartet’s black and white film project, features on their CD Words and Pictures. My Mountain Top, a moving, atmospheric composition incorporating a poem by Lemn Sissay, appears on the same recording and has subsequently been arranged for a variety of other instruments, proving to be one of Andy’s most popular works.
Andy also writes much of the material for his own large jazz ensemble SaxAssault, which has recorded three CDs and featured on BBC Radio 3 Jazz Notes. Andy and percussionist Dave Hassell have worked as an experimental Duo since 1996, performing internationally and releasing two albums. Andy is involved in many collaborative projects with other artists, most recently Caliente, a trio with flautist Clare Southworth and harpist Lauren Scott, for which he writes.
Recent commissions from Andy were premiered at the Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Wigmore Hall and Royal Albert Hall.
Future projects include a Guitar Concerto for Craig Ogden and a Trumpet Concerto for Rex Richardson.
Andy Scott received a British Composer Award in 2006 for his double saxophone concerto Dark Rain. In 2010 Crossing Waves, a work for solo harp, was premiered at Carnegie Hall NYC, Three Letter Word, commissioned by the Park Lane Group was premiered at the South Bank Centre London, Seven Dances and No Looking Back featured on the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet Chandos CD Dances, and his piece Jukebox was given a world premiere at the Southbank Centre by respected harpist Sioned Williams. A project with Lancashire Sinfonietta and Nicholas Kok saw Andy commissioned to write an hour of music for strings, rhythm section and solo saxophone.
Andy is composer in residence with Foden’s Band, whose first recording of his works A World Within won the British Bandsman CD of the Year in 2010. Having made an impression as a skilled writer for brass, the relationship with Foden’s has led to Andy’s works being featured on prizewinning recordings by Les Neish (tuba) and Glyn Williams (euphonium). Andy’s work Spirit of Mingus, commissioned by Foden’s, was shortlisted for a British Composer Award in 2012, and features on Spirit of Foden’s, a second CD of Andy Scott brass band works released in 2013.
Andy Scott was one of twenty composers selected for a prestigious New Music Biennial commission, composing a new work for Foden’s Band, harpist Lauren Scott, soprano/narrator Anna-Clare Monk and four narrators drawn from Foden’s Youth Band. Entitled A Child Like You, the composition received its world premiere performance at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester in May 2014. It also featured in special weekend festivals at London’s Southbank Centre and Glasgow UNESCO City of Music. A Child Like You was nominated for a BASCA British Composer Award in 2015.
The Bad Tempered Flute, an album of Andy’s compositions for flute, was released in 2011 on the Nimbus Alliance label, featuring Paul Edmund-Davies, Clare Southworth and Andy Findon, with Craig Ogden, Peter Lawson, Lauren Scott and Tim Carey.
In 2012 he was commissioned to write a Concerto for Tenor Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra, which was premiered at the World Saxophone Congress in St Andrews by Branford Marsalis and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Clark Rundell.
All his works are published exclusively by Astute Music, and as well as concert works, Andy has a number of compositions on the syllabi for ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall grade examinations.
Andy often has the opportunity to integrate composition and performance in his various ensembles. As Tenor Saxophonist and a founder member of the internationally acclaimed Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Andy composed several works specifically for the group. His Phantom Sweetheart, a four movement work written as part of the quartet’s black and white film project, features on their CD Words and Pictures. My Mountain Top, a moving, atmospheric composition incorporating a poem by Lemn Sissay, appears on the same recording and has subsequently been arranged for a variety of other instruments, proving to be one of Andy’s most popular works.
Andy also writes much of the material for his own large jazz ensemble SaxAssault, which has recorded three CDs and featured on BBC Radio 3 Jazz Notes. Andy and percussionist Dave Hassell have worked as an experimental Duo since 1996, performing internationally and releasing two albums. Andy is involved in many collaborative projects with other artists, most recently Caliente, a trio with flautist Clare Southworth and harpist Lauren Scott, for which he writes.
Recent commissions from Andy were premiered at the Purcell Room and Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Wigmore Hall and Royal Albert Hall.
Future projects include a Guitar Concerto for Craig Ogden and a Trumpet Concerto for Rex Richardson.
"Andy Scott is a hugely talented composer using his artistry to communicate fresh ideas through a traditional sound.” – Bramwell Tovey
Andy Scott – Educator biography
Andy Scott has earned a reputation as a gifted educator, inspiring musicians young and old, musically experienced & less experienced, to open their ears and minds and absorb different styles of, and approaches to music. From learning about and discovering music itself, Andy then offers ideas regarding approaches to practise, practise structure and management and performance. With a lifelong passion for music and equally committed to composition, performance and education, Andy’s work as a teacher is influenced and enhanced by his wide-ranging music activities.
As versatile an educator as he is a performer and composer, Andy’s wide ranging musical skills and experience enable him to teach across classical, jazz and contemporary styles. He is a skilled educator, whether tutoring the musicians of the future, leading jazz workshops based on his own compositions or working with young people on a summer school.
As Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music for sixteen years, Andy has worked with Rob Buckland to develop one of the finest centres for saxophone study in Europe, producing world class graduates and ensembles. His work at the RNCM encompasses individual tuition in Tenor Saxophone, coaching quartets and presenting saxophone classes. Under the umbrella of the RNCM, Andy and Rob also initiated and are co-artistic directors of the highly successful annual Saxophone Day, established in 2000 and now the leading annual event of its kind in the UK.
Andy has also taught saxophone at a number of top UK universities including Manchester, Salford and Huddersfield, as well as giving masterclasses and workshops worldwide, at leading conservatoires such as Berlin Conservatoire and the Royal College of Music, in Singapore and Thailand, and throughout Japan.
Andy Scott is a popular course leader, constantly in demand to deliver workshops and teach on summer schools across the UK and internationally. His own Saxophone Course at Creative Vacances in France offers the perfect opportunity to combine small group saxophone ensemble playing with a relaxing holiday. Andy has used his experience as a composer and performer with his large ensemble Sax Assault to develop a unique workshop, enabling participants to play the group’s charts and providing the chance to work with rhythm section and gain improvisation skills. Andy also offers saxophone and flute days and saxophone and percussion workshops through the ensemble Caliente and duo with Dave Hassell.
Andy has contributed to the instrumental grade examination system through compositions on the syllabi for both ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall. Published by Astute Music, Andy is an endorsee of Henri Selmer Saxophones & Vandoren, who regularly support his Saxophone Days. He was also the recipient of a teaching award from the RNCM to develop the Tenor Saxophone Index, the online tenor saxophone repertoire and resource database.
As versatile an educator as he is a performer and composer, Andy’s wide ranging musical skills and experience enable him to teach across classical, jazz and contemporary styles. He is a skilled educator, whether tutoring the musicians of the future, leading jazz workshops based on his own compositions or working with young people on a summer school.
As Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music for sixteen years, Andy has worked with Rob Buckland to develop one of the finest centres for saxophone study in Europe, producing world class graduates and ensembles. His work at the RNCM encompasses individual tuition in Tenor Saxophone, coaching quartets and presenting saxophone classes. Under the umbrella of the RNCM, Andy and Rob also initiated and are co-artistic directors of the highly successful annual Saxophone Day, established in 2000 and now the leading annual event of its kind in the UK.
Andy has also taught saxophone at a number of top UK universities including Manchester, Salford and Huddersfield, as well as giving masterclasses and workshops worldwide, at leading conservatoires such as Berlin Conservatoire and the Royal College of Music, in Singapore and Thailand, and throughout Japan.
Andy Scott is a popular course leader, constantly in demand to deliver workshops and teach on summer schools across the UK and internationally. His own Saxophone Course at Creative Vacances in France offers the perfect opportunity to combine small group saxophone ensemble playing with a relaxing holiday. Andy has used his experience as a composer and performer with his large ensemble Sax Assault to develop a unique workshop, enabling participants to play the group’s charts and providing the chance to work with rhythm section and gain improvisation skills. Andy also offers saxophone and flute days and saxophone and percussion workshops through the ensemble Caliente and duo with Dave Hassell.
Andy has contributed to the instrumental grade examination system through compositions on the syllabi for both ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall. Published by Astute Music, Andy is an endorsee of Henri Selmer Saxophones & Vandoren, who regularly support his Saxophone Days. He was also the recipient of a teaching award from the RNCM to develop the Tenor Saxophone Index, the online tenor saxophone repertoire and resource database.
Andy Scott – Performer biography
Saxophonist Andy Scott is respected as a creative contemporary musician with a proactive approach to initiating projects, ensembles and collaborations. As a performer, Andy has made regular appearances on the international stage, both as a soloist and with his various ensembles. In a successful career spanning a quarter of a century, Andy and his ensembles have released a number of highly acclaimed CDs and have been featured on BBC Radio and TV.
Andy is the Tenor Saxophonist and a founder member of the internationally acclaimed and multi prizewinning Apollo Saxophone Quartet, touring internationally, recording for Decca/Argo, Black Box, BMG and Quartz, and broadcasting regularly for BBC Radio. The ensemble has made a highly significant contribution to the contemporary saxophone quartet repertoire by commissioning and premiering over 100 works from established composers. Formed at the Royal Northern College of Music in 1985, the quartet recently released its latest CD of commissioned works, Perspectives.
Andy also performs in his own large ensemble Sax Assault, which has recorded two CDs, with guests Bob Mintzer and Gwilym Simcock, and been featured on BBC Radio 3 Jazz Notes, and releases its first studio recorded CD in June 2016. Andy and percussionist Dave Hassell have worked as an experimental Duo since 1996, performing internationally, including an appearance in New York City as part of the 33rd IAJE Conference, and releasing two albums. He plays with Apitos, the latin/jazz ensemble of Dave Hassell. Andy is involved in many collaborative projects with other artists, most recently Caliente, a new trio with flautist Clare Southworth and harpist Lauren Scott.
As a performer, Andy has been proactive in raising the profile of the tenor saxophone as a contemporary classical instrument over the last 20 years. He formed the World Tenor Saxophone Consortium in 2003, co-commissioning a work from Graham Fitkin for simultaneous premiere worldwide, and released a solo CD My Mountain Top, featuring a number of world premiere recordings. As a solo artist Andy performed the Richard Rodney Bennett Concerto for Stan Getz with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, broadcast live by Radio 3.
Andy Scott was Vice President of the International Saxophone Committee and director of a Tenor Saxophone strand in the World Saxophone Congress XVI. He initiated and performed with the international ensemble The Tenor Saxophone Collective at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, France in July 2015. Andy was a recipient of a teaching award from the RNCM to develop an online tenor saxophone repertoire resource, The Tenor Saxophone Index, an invaluable resource for students and teachers alike.
Earlier in his performing career Andy undertook regular freelance work with the Halle Orchestra, Psappha, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra & many other professional orchestras, and nowadays he occasionally undertakes orchestral dates, privileged to work in recent years with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra with Clean Bandit, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with the Wayne Shorter Quartet, and in 2016 with Manchester Camerata's Hacienda Classical project (with sold out performances at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, and Royal Albert Hall, London) and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (performing Bernstein & Prokofiev at Symphony Hall, Birmingham).
Andy Scott is an endorsee of Henri Selmer Saxophones and Vandoren. Andy is extremely grateful for the continued support of Selmer Saxophones for his creative projects, and is privileged to play on the new saxophones of such a historical and respected company. He plays Selmer Series III tenor and soprano saxophones, and a Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone. As with Selmer Saxophones, for over thirty years Andy has played using Vandoren reeds and products, and is very grateful for the continued support from Vandoren.
Andy is the Tenor Saxophonist and a founder member of the internationally acclaimed and multi prizewinning Apollo Saxophone Quartet, touring internationally, recording for Decca/Argo, Black Box, BMG and Quartz, and broadcasting regularly for BBC Radio. The ensemble has made a highly significant contribution to the contemporary saxophone quartet repertoire by commissioning and premiering over 100 works from established composers. Formed at the Royal Northern College of Music in 1985, the quartet recently released its latest CD of commissioned works, Perspectives.
Andy also performs in his own large ensemble Sax Assault, which has recorded two CDs, with guests Bob Mintzer and Gwilym Simcock, and been featured on BBC Radio 3 Jazz Notes, and releases its first studio recorded CD in June 2016. Andy and percussionist Dave Hassell have worked as an experimental Duo since 1996, performing internationally, including an appearance in New York City as part of the 33rd IAJE Conference, and releasing two albums. He plays with Apitos, the latin/jazz ensemble of Dave Hassell. Andy is involved in many collaborative projects with other artists, most recently Caliente, a new trio with flautist Clare Southworth and harpist Lauren Scott.
As a performer, Andy has been proactive in raising the profile of the tenor saxophone as a contemporary classical instrument over the last 20 years. He formed the World Tenor Saxophone Consortium in 2003, co-commissioning a work from Graham Fitkin for simultaneous premiere worldwide, and released a solo CD My Mountain Top, featuring a number of world premiere recordings. As a solo artist Andy performed the Richard Rodney Bennett Concerto for Stan Getz with the BBC Concert Orchestra at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, broadcast live by Radio 3.
Andy Scott was Vice President of the International Saxophone Committee and director of a Tenor Saxophone strand in the World Saxophone Congress XVI. He initiated and performed with the international ensemble The Tenor Saxophone Collective at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, France in July 2015. Andy was a recipient of a teaching award from the RNCM to develop an online tenor saxophone repertoire resource, The Tenor Saxophone Index, an invaluable resource for students and teachers alike.
Earlier in his performing career Andy undertook regular freelance work with the Halle Orchestra, Psappha, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra & many other professional orchestras, and nowadays he occasionally undertakes orchestral dates, privileged to work in recent years with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra with Clean Bandit, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with the Wayne Shorter Quartet, and in 2016 with Manchester Camerata's Hacienda Classical project (with sold out performances at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, and Royal Albert Hall, London) and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (performing Bernstein & Prokofiev at Symphony Hall, Birmingham).
Andy Scott is an endorsee of Henri Selmer Saxophones and Vandoren. Andy is extremely grateful for the continued support of Selmer Saxophones for his creative projects, and is privileged to play on the new saxophones of such a historical and respected company. He plays Selmer Series III tenor and soprano saxophones, and a Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone. As with Selmer Saxophones, for over thirty years Andy has played using Vandoren reeds and products, and is very grateful for the continued support from Vandoren.