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Phoenix Saxophone Quartet - Classical - Southampton
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This saxophone quartet's vast repertoire spans over five centuries. Consisting of interesting arrangements as well as original works, their jazzy and popular pieces are always received with great enthusiasm.
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Since their inaugural Purcell Room concert in 1984, the Phoenix Saxophone Quartet has established itself as one of Europe's most versatile ensembles.
Over the years their engagements have ranged from recording of twentieth century English and French quartets for Radio 3 to appearing live on "Friday Night is Music Night". Music Club and University concerts also form a large part of their schedule and on lighter side they are much in demand for private functions. Many large companies such as Digital and 3i have engaged the Quartet to enhance their social occasions. They were also well received when featured at the Chelsea Arts Ball.
The quartet's repertoire is vast and spans over five centuries consisting of many interesting arrangements as well as original works. Their transcriptions of jazzy and popular pieces are always received with great enthusiasm. An interesting feature of their work is the use of the clarinet family in some items. This adds an extra dimension of tonal contrast to their performances.
Their 1991 recording of music by Carey Blyton "The Return of Bulgy Gogo" is available on compact disc issued by Upbeat Recordings
Jim Rae - Soprano Saxophone
Jim Rae is an internationally published writer of educational wind music. His music is used by many examining boards world-wide. He has compiled the syllabus for the Guildhall grade and diploma exams for jazz, clarinet and saxophone.
Over the years he has written many pieces for the quartet including transcriptions and arrangements of popular songs. His Tyneside Folksong Suite was recently broadcast Radio 3 in a programme of English saxophone quartets.
Playingwise Jim's engagements have included work on TV, Radio and theatre with such names as Michael Crawford, Paul Nicholas and Paul Daniels, to mention but a few.
He is currently an associate member of the 'Miss Saigon' Orchestra and is on 'stand by' for many other shows in the West End.
Dai Pritchard - Tenor Saxophone
Dai studied at Trinity College of Music and the National Centre for Orchestral Studies at Goldsmiths College, London. He has been a freelance player in London since 1980 working in Orchestras, Theatre and Recording Studios.
Dai played clarinet and bass clarinet with 'Loose Tubes' on broadcasts, 3 albums and many international tours. He has worked with Stan Tracey's Big Band, recorded 6 albums with Billy Jenkins and recorded Django Bate's 'Music from the Third Policeman'. He works regularly with the Pasadena Roof Orchestra and is a member of 'Harmonie Band' whose music leans towards minimalism and post-modernism.
Dai has worked with Scottish Opera, Northern Sinfonia, Almeida Ensemble and Gemini ensemble. He also writes and performs with his own jazz quartet
Derek Cornhill - Alto Saxophone
Derek studied clarinet with Keith Puddy and John Stenhouse at Trinity College of Music where he performed the Debussy Rhapsody and Nielsen Concerto with the orchestra under Bernard Keefe.
His interesting career has included versatile engagements ranging from performing as a soloist and working with chamber ensembles such as the Entertainers Clarinet Quartet, to West End Musicals and the English Sinfonetta and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Derek has taken part in the Michael Christofer play "The Lady and the Clarinet" at the Kings Head Theatre, Islington and at Edinburgh Fringe in the roll of clarinet player.
The quartet has performed many of Derek's arrangements on the radio and in their first Purcell Room recital in 1984 they premiered his Suite for Saxophone Quartet.
Derek studied clarinet with Keith Puddy and John Stenhouse at Trinity College of Music where he performed the Debussy Rhapsody and Nielsen Concerto with the orchestra under Bernard Keefe.
His interesting career has included versatile engagements ranging from performing as a soloist and working with chamber ensembles such as the Entertainers Clarinet Quartet, to West End Musicals and the English Sinfonetta and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Derek has taken part in the Michael Christofer play "The Lady and the Clarinet" at the Kings Head Theatre, Islington and at Edinburgh Fringe in the roll of clarinet player.
The quartet has performed many of Derek's arrangements on the radio and in their first Purcell Room recital in 1984 they premiered his Suite for Saxophone Quartet.
Maggie Gray - Baritone Saxophone
After studying the clarinet at Trinity College of Music and Music in Education at Bulmershe College, Reading University, Maggie's first engagement was in Germany with Ivy Benson's all girl Orchestra. Other early work included shows for the Bernard Delfont Organisation, in Cabaret for the Curnard Cruise Line in the Caribbean and in various national touring shows.
During the last decade she has pursued a varied freelance career in London. Her West End show credits include:- 'It's Magic' with Paul Daniels, Prince of Wales 1980 and Savoy 1989; 'The Two Ronnies', London Palladium; West Side Story', Her Majesty's Theatre; 'Kiss Me Kate', Savoy; 'Much A Do About Nothing', Strand and 'The Swaggerer', Regents Park Open Air Theatre.
She also works as a deputy in some of the longer running West End musicals and is principle tutor of saxophone ensembles at the Centre for Young Musicians, Pimlico
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