July 2024 update

Things have been productive recently with a few new projects, I am now playing once a month at Stretton Hall tea rooms near Clay Cross, Derbyshire – usually two hours of background Jazz Ballads, Latin, Rat Pack etc whilst people chat and enjoy lunch. The staff, food and venue are lovely so it’s well worth a visit! I’m playing there next on Saturday 27th July between 1-3pm.

Last weekend I performed with Equinox Saxophone Ensemble at Sale near Manchester alongside and with the Saxophone Orchestra Manchester who is an approximately 70 strong saxophone group of varying abilities. Both the training band and main group were a joy to listen to and all items were well received!

I have just completed a commission for the Saxophone Orchestra Manchester which will be the main focus of their October weekend event. The piece travels through four movements and is just under 10 minutes duration. It will be premiered on the Sunday of the weekend.

Work begins now on Christmas Jazz Volume 4 (it’s tradition in our household to be working on Christmas music during the scorching summer days! ;D) and other writing arranging projects.

Teaching continues to be a never-ending passion for me as is running the Wayward Winds ensemble on fortnightly Friday evenings (though we have broken up for Summer and our first main playing session resumes from 13th September 2024). It’s truly wonderful to hear and see players growing in confidence in a fun and encouraging environment.

April 2023 update

Apologies for the period of absence…I am very much still around, enjoying writing new music (more details below) still happily teaching, (and pootling around in the veg patch when time allows!). Rehearsals and concerts have re-commenced for Equinox Saxophone Ensemble again so it’s been wonderful to be with my musical buddies again (and the lovely cake selection that is mandatory at rehearsals…).

Since the last update (the release of Celtic Collage Volume 2) I’ve been involved in three new books: Christmas Jazz Volume 3, Groove Zones 1, and Tales from the Cornish Coast (videos and links below on buying options should you wish below).

Christmas Jazz Volume 3 doesn’t really need much of an introduction to those who have enjoyed the previous books in the collection, as again, Chris and I have followed our formula of three more lively paced carols coupled with two slower smooshier arrangements. We both agree…it’s our favourite Christmas Jazz yet! Carols included in this collection are O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Christmas Tree, Here we Come a-Wassailing, It Came upon a Midnight Clear, and Ding Dong Merrily on High. CJ3 is available in Eb sax, Bb sax, Bb clarinet, and flute editions and I’ve posted a medley of excerpts video link further down the page (tenor sax edition) for your listening pleasure (I really feel like baking some mince pies right now too!).

Groove Zones 1 embraces a more commercial soloist sound and also caters for players on their growing musical journey. Although there are five pieces in the book, each piece has been presented in three difficulty levels so in effect there are fifteen pieces to go at in the book. The easier level is labelled as Street and caters for approximately grade 2-3 level, Town-level pieces are really grade 3-5, and if you want to tackle the big City then really we’re talking grades 5-7 to do a good job. The City versions tend to contain more acrobatics, effects, lip slurs or embellishments etc, and all pieces come with full demonstration and brilliantly inspiring backing tracks for you to groove along to. The styles vary from chill out, Funk, Blues, and just plain random. I loved recording these on alto sax, and the tenor sax, and flute editions will be along very soon (watch this space!). You can buy Eb sax Groove Zones 1 here.

Last but not least, Chris and I have just completed the flute and piano edition of Tales from the Cornish Coast – six tranquil seascapes for grades 2-5 (approx). In this short project (and with Chris being born and bred in Cornwall) we were able to put into music some of the locations on this stunning coastline. We each completed three pieces and the flute edition is now available as instant download (PDF/MP3) edition. The printed book with audio download codes will be available towards the end of April. A clarinet and saxophone edition is in the making so do remember to visit www.masquerade-music.com to check for availability. Please see a video medley below for the flute edition.

Anyway, that’s all for now so grab a mince pie, get in the groove, then smell the salt air and relax next to the sea!