“Andy Scott was the soloist here, demonstrating apparently effortless control”

The Independent

“Andy Scott is a consumate musician. He knows about a wide variety of music, can write and play in these styles with great expertise, and is a dynamic teacher in these areas as well. I've had the pleasure of working with Andy at the RNCM numerous times, and he always displays a great enthusiasm and focus in what he does. We need more teachers and players, and, most importantly, instigators to keep the music fresh and moving forward."

Bob Mintzer

“Andy Scott is a composer that the brass band world should hang on to for grim death!”

4barsrest.com

“..as comfortable and fearless as a duo can get”

Modern Drummer (reviews Sand Dancer, Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo)

“The sheer raw energy…two people couldn’t possibly make that much music!”

Saxophone Journal, US (reviews Sand Dancer, Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo)

“HERE'S an album to demolish the distinction between 'local' players and `world-class' players. As an example of elaborate arrangements, tuneful melodies and big band dynamics, Sax Of Gold (SaxAssault CD) bears comparison with anything being produced by the more vaunted Stateside jazz fraternity… What raises Sax of Gold above the competition, however, is Scott's gift for melody.”

Manchester Evening News

“I don’t know how many saxophonists it takes to change a lightbulb, but it takes nine plus rhythm section to perform pieces written by Andy Scott for his unique SaxAssault. The excellent results are heard on Bang!”

Jazz UK

" 'A World Within' - a terrific piece!"

4BarsRest.com

“Andy Scott’s My Mountain Top was easily the highlight of the night.  This is an absolute gem of a piece and David is to be congratulated for introducing this fine work to the Euphonium world.”

4barsrest.com

“Fittingly the summit of the concert was Andy Scott’s My Mountain Top”

Belfast Festival

“Andy Scott's Sonata for Flute & Harp... will become, I believe, a major work in our repertoire….his writing is both vibrant and refreshing.”

British Flute Society

"Andy Scott's Sonata for flute and harp might just be a hit in the making. Fueled by concise and skilfully developed rhythmic themes in the outer movements and a wonderfully elegiac melody in the second, this was one of those rare moments when a significant new work strikes gold with both the performers and the audience"

Classical Guitar Magazine

“A flowing work that evoked a sense of timelessness in it's reflective musical vista” (And Everything is Still...)

4barsrest.com

“Craig Ogden and Gerard McChrystal set the thermometer high with their sinuous and heady interpretation of Andy Scott's Nemesis.”

The Irish Times

“The Birmingham Conservatoire Wind Band… spared nothing in Andy Scott’s powerful and emotionally draining Dark Rain. Guy Woolfenden directed them clearly and efficiently through its complexity, din and disintegration to final catharsis…. a superb performance.”

Birmingham Post

"To state that Paquito is seriously exciting is almost an understatement... we have here a romp of pure salsa flavour that bubbles, bounces and boils its way through just under three minutes of brilliance….you will love it."

Clarinet & Saxophone Magazine

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Short biog - composer

Andy Scott (b.1966) is a freelance professional saxophonist and composer that initiates projects, leadsgroups and who collaborates with many talented artists. Known for his musical stylistic versatility, Andy is a well respected figure in the UK music scene. A recipient of a British Composer Award in 2006, he is currently dividing his time between performing and composition.

Andy Scott has recently written commissions for; Aquarelle Guitar Quartet, Park Lane Group, James Gourlay, Les Neish & Foden’s Band, RNCM Big Band, Apitos, Kintamarni Saxophone Quartet, Rob Buckland & Simone Rebello, British Clarinet Ensemble, SaxAssault, Royal Northern College of Music Saxophone Choir, Arabesque Duo, Clare Southworth, Mike Hall, Wigan Jazz Orchestra, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Tubalate and Apollo Saxophone Quartet. Andy contributes a number of pieces to the Apollo Saxophone Quartet Series, many of which are on the syllabuses of the ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall. Andy is published by Astute Music.
 
In November 2006 Andy’s Two Saxophone Concerto with Wind Band, Dark Rain, received a British Composer Award. Commissioned by a BASBWE College consortium and premiered by John Harle, Rob Buckland and the Chetham’s School of Music Wind Band conducted by James Gourlay, Dark Rain was programmed in a Gala Concert at the 14th World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia & is receiving performances throughout Europe.
 
Since 2008 Andy Scott has been the Composer-in-Residence with Fodens Brass Band.

He is Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music, co-Artistic Director with Rob Buckland of the annual RNCM Saxophone Day & is Visiting Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.  Andy formed the World Tenor Saxophone Consortium in 2003, is Vice President of the International Saxophone Committee and is an endorsee of Selmer Paris Saxophones.

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 Short Biog - composer & performer

Andy Scott – is a saxophonist and composer that initiates projects, leads groups and who collaborates with many talented artists. Known for his musical stylistic versatility, Andy is a well respected figure in the UK music scene. A recipient of a British Composer Award in 2006, he is currently dividing his time between performing and composition.

His performing centres around the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo, SaxAssault, DB5 and Solo Tenor Saxophone projects. In addition Andy regularly undertakes freelance work with the Halle Orchestra, Psappha, Apitos, Bluejuice & the George King Quintet. He has also performed with the BBC Scottish Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Ulster Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and many jazz, funk, latin small and large ensembles.

The Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo recently performed in New York City as part of the 33rd IAJE Conference, recorded its latest CD in Mexico in 2009, collaborating with percussionist Evaristo Aguilar, and is working with poetry and visuals, using words by Roger McGough and Lemn Sissay in a multimedia collaboration. The Duos debut CD ‘SandDancer’ (Quartz) met with critical acclaim.

Andy's large ensemble SaxAssault recorded its debut CD ‘Bang!’ in 1996, has been featured on BBC Radio 3 ‘Jazz Notes’, released its second CD ‘Sax of Gold’ in 2007 with guests Gwilym Simcock & Bob Mintzer, shared a televised concert with the Yellowjackets & the Slovenian Radio Big Band, at the 14^th World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia in July 2006. Most recently Andy was commissioned to write new music for SaxAssault at concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music and Sound Festival in Scotland. SaxAssault will undertake its 'Surfacing for Air' Tour in Autumn 2010.

Andy has played Tenor Saxophone in the Apollo Saxophone Quartet since its formation at the RNCM in 1985. Recordings have been released with Decca/Argo, Black Box, BMG, and most recently Quartz. The ASQ tours regularly throughout Europe and Japan, and broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. The group has collaborated with poet Lemn Sissay, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, pianist Joanna MacGregor, percussion ensemble 4-Mality, as a quintet with saxophonist Bob Mintzer, Goldberg String Ensemble, Psappha, and the Arguelles brothers. The ASQ achieved early success at The Royal Overseas League, Erasmus Concours Rotterdam, Tunnell Trust, Live Music Now, and were awarded First Prize & Outstanding Performance Award in the Tokyo International Chamber Music Competition 1992. The Apollo Saxophone Quartet has made an unparalled contribution to the repertoire for the medium in the UK, by commissioning over one hundred works since 1985.

Andy gave a performance of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett’s Concerto for Stan Getz at the composer’s 70^th Birthday Concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, in March 2006. In the presence of the composer, the performance with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by John Wilson, was broadcast ‘live’ on BBC Radio Three.

As a composer Andy is self-taught & has recently written commissions for; Aquarelle Guitar Quartet, Park Lane Group, James Gourlay, Les Neish & Foden’s Band, RNCM Big Band, Apitos, Kintamarni Saxophone Quartet, Rob Buckland & Simone Rebello, British Clarinet Ensemble, SaxAssault, Royal Northern College of Music Saxophone Choir, Arabesque Duo, Clare Southworth, Mike Hall, Wigan Jazz Orchestra, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Tubalate and Apollo Saxophone Quartet. Andy contributes a number of pieces to the Apollo Saxophone Quartet Series, many of which are on the syllabuses of the ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall. Andy is published by Astute Music.

In November 2006 Andy’s Two Saxophone Concerto with Wind Band, Dark Rain, received a British Composer Award. Commissioned by a BASBWE College consortium and premiered by John Harle, Rob Buckland and the Chetham’s School of Music Wind Band conducted by James Gourlay, Dark Rain was programmed in a Gala Concert at the 14^th World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia & is receiving performances throughout Europe.

 He is tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music, co-Artistic Director with Rob Buckland of the annual RNCM Saxophone Day & is Visiting Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Andy formed the World Tenor Consortium in 2003, is Vice President of the International Saxophone Committee and is an endorsee of Selmer Paris Saxophones.

www.andyscott.org.uk

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Full biography

Andy Scott – is known as a saxophonist and composer that initiates projects, leads groups and who collaborates with many talented artists. Also known for his musical stylistic versatility, whether it is free improvising one night with Duo partner percussionist Dave Hassell, premiering a new commission with the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, performing his compositions whilst leading his large group SaxAssault, Andy is a well respected figure in the UK music scene. A recipient of a British Composer Award in 2006, Andy is currently dividing his time between performing and composition.

His performing centres around the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo, SaxAssault, DB5 and Solo Tenor Saxophone projects. In addition Andy regularly undertakes freelance work with the Halle Orchestra, Psappha, Apitos & Bluejuice. He has also performed with the BBC Scottish Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, Ulster Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra and many jazz, funk, latin small and large ensembles.

Creating new music for percussion and saxophone, the Dave Hassell-Andy Scott Duo was formed in the mid-1990’s. The Duo recently performed in New York City as part of the 33rd International Association of Jazz Educators (one of only three UK ensembles to be invited to perform). The Duo’s CD ‘SandDancer’ is available on the Quartz label, ‘as comfortable and fearless as a Duo can get!’ Modern Drummer remarked. Previously the Duo has performed in France, Mexico & at UK Festivals. Courtesy of a Research Grant awarded by the Royal Northern College of Music, the Duo is collaborating with poetry and visuals, using words by Roger McGough and Lemn Sissay. Exploring free improvisation in a multi-arts setting, the project is in three performance stands; The Emperor’s Watchmaker, Sporting Relations & A Summer with Monica, and will be promoted from Spring 2009. Also in 2009 the Duo returns to Mexico collaborating with percussionist Evaristo Aguilar.

‘SaxAssault’ is Andy’s large ensemble. Formed in 1994 the group comprises nine saxophones (from sopranino through to bass) with rhythm section. Andy’s compositions for SaxAssault are carefully crafted to feature every member of the ensemble, whether an improviser or more classically-trained musician. ‘SaxAssault’ has been featured on BBC Radio 3 ‘Jazz Notes’ performing new compositions by Andy commissioned as a result of him being a recipient of the Peter Whittingham Award. In 2007 SaxAssault launched its second CD ‘Sax of Gold’ with a UK Tour, with guests Bob Mintzer & Gwilym Simcock. SaxAssault was the first British saxophone ensemble to be invited to perform at a World Saxophone Congress Gala Concert. The group shared a televised concert with the Yellowjackets & the Slovenian Radio Big Band, at the 14^th WSC in Ljubljana. Plans are underway for SaxAssault to record its third CD of Andy’s compositions.

Since its formation in 1985 Andy has held the tenor saxophone chair in the internationally renowned Apollo Saxophone Quartet. The ASQ is dedicated to commissioning, performing and recording new music for saxophones, with over one hundred works to date from composers including Michael Torke, Django Bates, Barry Guy, Michael Nyman, Will Gregory & Joby Talbot. Recordings have been released with Decca/Argo, Black Box, BMG, and most recently Quartz. The ASQ tours regularly throughout Europe and Japan, and regularly broadcasts on BBC Radio 3. The group has collaborated with poet Lemn Sissay, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, pianist Joanna MacGregor, percussion ensemble 4-Mality, as a quintet with saxophonist Bob Mintzer, Goldberg String Ensemble, Psappha, and the Arguelles brothers. The group was established at the Royal Northern College of Music, where it gave Premieres of works such as ‘Concerto for Saxophone Quartet & Orchestra’ by Tristan Keuris, and after being the first ensemble to be awarded the RNCM Professional Performance Diploma with Distinction, the ASQ went on to achieve success in The Royal Overseas League, Erasmus Concours Rotterdam, Tunnell Trust, Live Music Now, and were awarded First Prize & Outstanding Performance Award in the Tokyo International Chamber Music Competition 1992.

As a result of Andy playing Tenor Saxophone in the ASQ he has been aware of the shortage of new music for the instrument (in a ‘contemporary classical’ context). His long term aim is to commission and document (via CD recordings) new music for Tenor Saxophone. In 2006 Andy released ‘My Mountain Top’, the first recorded results of this journey. The CD includes the World Premiere recording of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett’s ‘Concerto for Stan Getz’ in a saxophone and piano format (with pianist Peter Lawson), alongside World Premiere recordings of ‘Passing’ by Graham Fitkin, ‘Coltrane’ by Dave Heath (Tenor Saxophone version), ‘Hovaardij’ by Matt Wright, ‘Three Pieces’ by Pete Meechan, ‘Lullaby’ by Paul Mitchell-Davidson (with harpist Lauren Scott), and his own composition ‘My Mountain Top’, a collaborative work with poet Lemn Sissay.

Andy gave a performance of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett’s Concerto for Stan Getz at the composer’s 70^th Birthday Concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, in March 2006. In the presence of the composer, the performance with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by John Wilson, was broadcast ‘live’ on BBC Radio Three. The collaboration between Sir Richard & Andy continues with Andy & Peter Lawson editing Concerto for Stan Getz for a revised Saxophone & Piano publication (Chester/Novello), and Andy editing a Saxophone version of Sir Richard’s Ballad in Memory of Shirley Horn (Chester/Novello).

In 2003 Andy formed the World Tenor Saxophone Consortium, who commissioned British composer Graham Fitkin to write a new work for Tenor Saxophone and CD. Passing was given simultaneous world premieres in April 2005 in Manchester, London, Dublin, New York, Tokyo, Jakarta, Milan, Moscow, Cardiff and Berlin.

Further works commissioned & premiered by Andy for Tenor Saxophone include Out of Line by Adam Caird, Para Bailar Tango Se Necesitan Dos by Paul Mitchell-Davidson and Eighteen by Andy. Lampoons by Christopher Bochman was recorded by Andy on the Apollo Saxophone Quartet CD Short Cuts (Quartz).

In July 2003 Andy formed DB5+Laura, a jazz-funk sextet that performs monthly at his local music venue DeBees. The group, comprising John Barber (trombone), Ulricht Elbracht (guitar), Oli Collins (bass), Laura Hassell (voice/kbd) and Dave Hassell (drums) plays a number of Andy’s arrangements and compositions, and is occasionally joined by special guests, most notably US saxophonist Branford Marsalis.

Andy’s commitment to music education is well known. As Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester UK, Andy has worked alongside his Apollo Saxophone Quartet colleague & Head of Saxophone Department at the RNCM, Rob Buckland, to offer a course that enables students to understand and perform in a variety of musical fields, the ultimate aim being that upon graduating they are able to utilize their musical versatility and work as embark upon their own journey working as professional musicians. Many of Andy’s & Rob’s RNCM students work in the music profession ; quartets such as the Veya, Eclipse & Kintamarni, freelance players in the pop/jazz field such as Simon Willescroft (Duran Duran), in the classical/contemporary scene such as Fiona Asbury & Carl Raven, and many others that combine performing and teaching saxophone. Andy & Rob instigated and organized the RNCM Saxophone Day, an annual event now in it’s ninth year that can legitimately claim to attract the largest following of an event of its kind in the UK. Special guests at the RNCM Saxophone Day have included Bob Mintzer, Claude Delangle, Snake Davis, Habanera Saxophone Quartet, SaxAssault, Apollo Saxophone Quartet, National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain, Tim Garland, Andy Sheppard and the RNCM Saxophone Choir (which under the direction of Rob & Andy has premiered a number of new works including Wavy Line by Joby Talbot, Concerto for Bass Saxophone & Saxophone Ensemble by Barbara Thompson, Big Red by Andy, Bertie by Laura Bowler, Aurora by Rob, Burlesque by Adam Gorb, gggggg and by Gary Carpenter). Andy’s teaching at the RNCM now consists of giving 1:1 Tenor Saxophone lessons, coaching Quartets & presenting Saxophone Classes, working alongside saxophone teaching colleagues Julian Arguelles, Rob Buckland, Mike Hall & Carl Raven.

In 2003 Andy was invited to become Visiting Consultant of Saxophone at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, in Cardiff UK, working in particular with the RWCMD saxophone quartets and large saxophone ensemble. RWCMD graduates the Lunar Saxophone Quartet continue to collaborate with Andy, most recently inviting him to adjudicate (with Gabriel Jackson & Graham Fitkin) at the inaugural LSQ Composition competition at the Warehouse, London.

Previous to commencing his post of Tutor of Saxophone at the RNCM, Andy taught Saxophone at Universities including Manchester, Salford and Huddersfield, as well as giving masterclasses and workshops worldwide including Berlin Conservatoire, Royal College of Music and throughout Japan.

In 2000 Andy joined Rob Buckland, tutoring on Rob’s Saxophone Summer School in Woldingham, and since 2003 has been Artistic Director of the Harrogate Saxophone Summer School.

An endorsee of Selmer Paris Saxophones, Andy plays Selmer Mk6 Soprano and Tenor saxophones, and a Selmer S80 Series II Alto Saxophone. Selmer Paris have supported Andy Scott’s SaxAssault UK Tour 2007, sponsored it’s ‘Sax of Gold’ CD, sponsored Apollo Saxophone Quartet performances in France, and most recently have commissioned Andy to write new works for some of France’s leading saxophonists.

From age 15 Andy started arranging and composing music for groups that he played in. After graduating from the Royal Northern College of Music (studying saxophone) he began accepting commissions, composing for chamber groups, soloists, big band and jazz/funk/latin ensembles. With no formal compositional training, Andy’s writing has developed a very individual style, as a direct result of his many and varied performing experiences. In the last few years Andy has written commissions for; James Gourlay, Les Neish, RNCM Big Band, Apitos, Kintamarni Saxophone Quartet, Rob Buckland & Simone Rebello, British Clarinet Ensemble, SaxAssault, Royal Northern College of Music Saxophone Choir, Lauren Scott & Russell Gillespie, Clare Southworth, Mike Hall, Wigan Jazz Orchestra, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Tubalate and Apollo Saxophone Quartet. Andy contributes a number of pieces to the Apollo Saxophone Quartet Series, many of which are on the syllabuses of the ABRSM and Trinity Guildhall.

In November 2006 Andy’s Two Saxophone Concerto with Wind Band, Dark Rain, received a British Composer Award. Commissioned by a BASBWE College consortium and premiered by John Harle, Rob Buckland and the Chetham’s School of Music Wind Band conducted by James Gourlay, Dark Rain was programmed in a Gala Concert at the 14^th World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia with John & Rob soloists, with the Slovenian Army Wind Band directed by Alain Crepin. Dark Rain is receiving performances throughout Europe, most recently at John Harle’s 50^th Birthday Concert at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, at the Royal Northern College of Music and at Birmingham Conservatoire.

Andy’s composition Salt of the Earth was commissioned by Les Neish and funded by the BBC Fame Academy & Worshipful Company of Musicians. The premiere performance took place at the Royal Northern College of Music in January 2008 at the prestigious RNCM Festival of Brass, and was recorded by BBC Radio Three. Performed by Les Neish (tuba), Foden’s Band conducted by Garry Cutt, this marks the beginning of an association between Andy and Foden’s Band, Andy being appointed as Foden’s Band Composer in Residence, both of whom are based in Sandbach, Cheshire.

In September 2007 Andy undertook the role of Composer in Residence with Sandbach School, and has in this academic year composed works for the school big band, brass group and wind band all of which will be recorded on a CD in Easter 2009.