Rob Buckland - Saxophonist

Summer - such as it was(!) - was filled with some great gigs - including the televised BBC Prom with the BBC Concert Orchestra - summer schools, (Woldingham and Harrogate this year - both really amazing weeks, both saxophonically and socially) and listening to some inspiring concerts - I’ve just got back from hearing Guy Barker’s Amadeus Project, without doubt one of the most stunning musical events I’ve witnessed for many a year - I urge you to check it out if you can, both live and on CD.

September finds me moving towards three autumn dates with my Equivox Trio - 1st Oct at Brighton College subscription series, 8th Oct at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, and 16 November at the RNCM Saxophone Day - all three concerts playing music from our “The Time is Now” CD - really looking forward to these dates, it’s always such a pleasure to play such great music with two such incredible musicians as Simone Rebello and Peter Lawson. I’m also about to premiere two major new works by Gary Carpenter and John Casken with the RLPO new music ensemble 10:10, in the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool - both with crazy solo parts for saxophone in the ensemble.

I’ve just finished writing a new set of 10 Duos for two saxophones, and the book will be published by astute-music.com in time for a launch at the RNCM Saxophone Day on 16 November. These Duos are aimed at the growing number of Grade 8 plus players that I encounter at summer schools, coaching events and auditions throughout the UK and beyond - something to really stretch your playing and stylistic awareness. There will be soundbites on the astute-music.com website by the time the book is ready for release in mid-november.

Term has begun again at the RNCM, and we begin the term with our largest saxophone department yet (23 students, from undergraduate to post-graduate), and move towards the 8th RNCM Saxophone Day (Sunday 16 November 2008 - visit www.rncm.ac.uk and follow the events listings for info and a brochure). Guest this year include Chris Potter, US Sax legend with his Underground Quintet, and US classical virtuoso Otis Murphy, along with my Equivox Trio, Andy Scott’s new Duo with pianist Adam Caird, Snake Davis with Soundbyte, and a new platform for recent RNCM graduate saxophonists - this year Meriel Price, who left the RNCM 4 years ago to take up PG study in Berlin, return with a set of new pieces that she has commissioned. NEW for 2008 as well is our Young Saxophones Day, designed and developed for beginner to grade 3 players to work alongside RNCM sax students, animateurs and a composer to create a new performance piece as part of the day - you’ll learn loads, make new friends, and most importantly have fun!! Check out the links on the RNCM website.

Also, SaxAssault are playing and giving some workshops in Aberdeen as part of a big Saxophone weekend event at the very beginning of November - check out www.saxassault.com for info. Always a roaring night!!

There’s the usual bizarre array of gigs ahead for me - contemporary concerts with the likes of the RLPO 10:10 Ensemble, Jazz gigs with Stevie Williams’ Quartet and Laura Hassell’s Quartet, an arena gig with The Wombats in Liverpool, concerts with the Michael Nyman Band in St.Petersburg and Moscow, and three concerts with the Equivox Trio..all keeping me on my toes! Watch this space for news of CD releases that I’ve played on recently with the Michael Nyman Sax Quartet, and the Pink Panther Theme (!) with the RLPO on their new Film Music CD, both due out soon...and check out www.astute-music.com for our continually expanding catalogue of great new music.

Keep in touch, stay healthy - hope to see you at a concert soon!