Saxtet
The latest incarnation of Saxtet is:
JAMIE ANDERSON tenor
LUKE ANNERSLEY alto, soprano
RICHARD EXHALL alto, clarinet
KAREN STREET tenor, accordion
ANDREW TWEED baritone
Saxtet is one of Britain's best known saxophone ensembles. From arrangements of standard song and Stevie Wonder to exciting original compositions they combine blistering ensemble work and flying improvisations with a dynamic performance style. Tangos and Township sit comfortably with New York street funk and contemporary classical in a vibrant, diverse programme that has kept Saxtet at the cutting edge of the European music scene for fifteen years. The sparkling accordion playing of Karen Street and the inclusion of clarinets add an additional touch of colour to their current programmes.
Saxtet began life as a saxophone quartet in Birmingham, UK in 1985. The group’s early success was undoubtedly due to busking (playing on the street) in places diverse as Leicester Square, Washington Square - New York, Berlin, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris and Florence. It proved a successful way of bringing in work leading to real concert tours of Germany, visits to the USA, Spain and the Caribbean. Saxtet's first recording, Montage, was recorded in 1990 and consisted mainly of arrangements and a few original compositions. In the same year they performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe attracting the attention of media and promoters from all over the world. Ultimately this led to a six-week tour taking in India, Singapore, East Malaysia, Brunei, the International Arts Festival in Wellington, New Zealand and Hawaii.
The group evolved from a quartet to a quintet in 1993 for their second CD, Safer Sax which consisted of pieces written by members of the group and new commissions. They took this programme to the Pleasance Theatre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 1993; the Schleswig Holstein Festival, 1993 and 1994; the World Saxophone Congress, Pesaro, Italy; a British Council sponsored visit to Jamaica and individual concerts all over the UK and Germany. TV and radio appearances have included BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends, BBC1 Pebble Mill, and Children in Need. In May 1995 Saxtet organised and promoted the Safer Sax Tour, a ten-date tour of England with the support of the Musicians' Union and Boosey & Hawkes. In February 1997, at the Pleasance, London, Saxtet gave the first performances of Autogeddon, a major new work for five saxophones, vibraphone, percussion and prepared tape. The music was composed by Eddie Parker and commissioned with Arts Council Funding. More recently Saxtet was invited to tour the Channel Islands, playing in Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark.
The members of Saxtet also continue to arrange and compose music for Saxtet Publications and the following pieces are available direct from the group:
- Walk to Lighthouse Landing by Richard Exhall
- The City Sleeps by Luke Annesley
- Urban Groove by Andy Tweed
- Captain Elation by Jamie Anderson
For up to date info and all enquiries regarding Saxtet contact them at www.saxtet.bigshedmusic.co.uk.
