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Following on from a hectic 2008, this year finds me straight into the usual variety of gigs... I’m currently working hard towards a couple of Concerto dates: On 28 Feb I’m playing John William’s "Escapades" - the concerto version of the soundtrack to the Dreamworks film "Catch Me If You Can" with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool, and later in the spring - May 9th - I’m giving the UK premiere of Jacob TV’s "Tallahatchie Concerto" with the Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra - a fantastic piece for Alto Sax and Chamber Orchestra by this extraordinarily creative Dutch composer.

The Time is Now Soundbites Review Buy!

Written for Arno Bornkamp, who gave the European Premiere, and played in the US by Branford Marsalis, this piece is one to watch - it really captures the essence of the modern classical saxophone style, encorporating a vast array of styles and sounds. On 5th April, my Equivox Duo (with Simone Rebello) is performing for Derbyshire Music Service and giving sax and percussion workshops during the day. On top of all this, the usual range of orchestral dates, jazz gigs - I’ve just played a great gig with Elliot Henshaw’s band at the Vortex in London (couple of pics in the gallery) - and teaching at the RNCM.

I have just finished writing a new book (Soundscapes: 10 pieces for two equal saxophones), to meet the rising demand for challenging, modern repertoire that can be performed by two saxophonists, or student and teacher. Performing with other players is the very best way to push your own playing to new levels, and learn from and inspire each other along the way. Here’s my note from the front of the book....

“ The standard of Saxophone playing in the UK now is at it’s highest ever level, and still rising. Players now have a much broader taste and understanding of musical styles from across the globe, in classical, jazz, funk, pop, world music, folk styles and so on, and real traditions in both jazz and classical fields to aspire to. This selection of ten new pieces is designed to reflect many of these influences, with a strong emphasis on the superimposition of style onto the pieces by the perfomers - some require a real dynamic energy, some a definite musical style, some a more reflective approach - there are some notes at the beginning of each to set you on the right path. The pieces use the whole standard range of the saxophone, without regard to "difficult" or unfamiliar notes. Although I have intentionally not written into the altissimo register, there are some other "extended techniques" employed in some of the pieces - I wanted to include these to help familiarise the players with these effects, which are becoming much more commonplace in our ever growing repertoire, and can add real colour and expression when used intelligently. There are soundclips of these duets on the www.astute-music.com website.”

I’ve also just finished writing and compiling another new book entitled "Songs Without Words" - four lyrical pieces for saxophone and piano, or clarinet and piano (tell your clarinet friends!!), which will be available shortly, with soundbites on the website too, and there are lots of excellent new books being added all the time - check out Andy Scott and Mark White’s fantastic new play-a-long book "Access All Areas" - which features a world class live rhythm section backing track, and soundclips of Bob Mintzer playing and soloing over the whole book on the astute website!

Plans are already underway for the 2009 RNCM Saxophone Day - there’ll be a detailed announcement soon, but the date will be 15 November 2009. Check out the links to my summer schools - www.summermusic.org.uk and www.windstruments.co.uk.