Saxophone quartet
Sax Forte was formed in York in 2016, with all four members having extensive experience with other quartets, bands and orchestras. Between them they own 16 saxophones (at the last count) including 5 sopranos, 4 altos, 5 tenors and 2 baritones – it’s a genuine passion!
Sax Forte is increasingly in demand for recitals and concerts in Yorkshire. They are regular performers at the popular Friday lunchtime concerts at the lovely Unitarian Chapel in St Saviourgate in York, as well as at the long-established Sewerby Hall Orangery Concert Series. They have performed many times at the historic All Saints Church in Aughton as part of the commemoration of the Pilgrimage of Grace. Since 2024 Sax Forte have played to a full house at St Helen’s Church, Stonegate, as part of the fabulous York Festival of Ideas. They have played for civic functions at York Mansion House, and a highlight of their pre-covid programme was a mad dash across the North Sea to Amsterdam and back to present an hour’s programme at the English Reformed Church. Closer to home, their performances at their home village church of St Andrew’s Bishopthorpe are always very warmly welcomed and are regularly a sell-out.
All four players have been involved in music since school days, each following their own musical interests ever since. When four very different musical backgrounds converged in 2016, the potential was immediately apparent, and they have collaborated to create a successful quartet with a wonderful repertoire. Initially their focus was on the 20th century jazz and swing numbers that are familiar to many saxophone quartets, but as the four shared their different musical influences, a wider variety of music was introduced and it became very apparent that a lot of choral and baroque music is extremely well suited to this combination of instruments. Chris and David are both experienced arrangers as well as being expert players so they are never short of material. While the quartet still present programmes of jazz arrangements when requested, the majority of their repertoire is classical in style, with pieces frequently ranging over 400 years. A recent recital included music by Charpentier, Handel, Gershwin, Gjeilo, Piazzolla, Morricone and Rossini.
The quartet is constantly looking to advance and has been privileged to have had private coaching from a variety of leading saxophone specialists. As a quartet, they have studied with:
Nigel Wood www.nigelwoodmusic.com Birmingham Conservatoire, founder of Saxtet Publications, founder of the National Saxophone Choir.
Huw Wiggin www.huwwiggin.com Professor of Saxophone at the Royal Academy of Music, leader of the Ferio Sax Quartet, the leading classical saxophone quartet in the country.
In addition, Sax Forte individual members have studied with John Harle, Gordon Lewin and Snake Davis.
The saxophone is most commonly associated with jazz, blues and pop, but Sax Forte demonstrates just how well the instrument sits with a far wider range of music, including classical and baroque. A regular part of their performance is a brief history of the Saxophone and a demonstration of some of the different members of the sax family. Join the quartet as they demonstrate the range, versatility, sensitivity and beauty of the instrument.
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Chris plays Soprano Sax because he likes showing off;
Keith plays Alto Sax because he tries to keep up with Chris;
Jane plays Baritone because she’s got the strongest shoulders;
David knows his place.
(With apologies to the 2 Ronnies & John Cleese!)