Mike Hall
Professor of Jazz Saxophone
BSc Civ Eng, PGdip RNCM
Email: [email protected]
- Tutor in jazz saxophone
- Academic tutor in jazz studies
Mike is a jazz saxophonist and educator based in Manchester. He began his musical career with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra which led to work with the late composer/pianist Michael Garrick with whom he toured Malaysia and made several CD recordings and Radio 3 broadcasts.
Mike plays with the Echoes of Ellington Orchestra (including performances at Ronnie Scott’s Club), with Andy Scott’s Sax Assault, and with his own jazz quartet. He regularly freelances with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé Orchestras with guest conductors such as John Wilson. Other personal projects include his double quartet (string quartet plus jazz quartet) Quadratus.
Mike has taught at the RNCM since 1994. He is Co-ordinator of Jazz Studies and directs the RNCM Big Band, which in recent years has performed alongside guest artists such as Bob Mintzer, Chris Potter, John Taylor, Gwilym Simcock, Clare Teal, Steve Berry and Markus Stockhausen.
Current and Future Research
In January 2013 Mike was commissioned by the Manchester Jazz Festival to write fifty minutes of original music which brought together musical ideas (and musical instruments) from the 16th century and contemporary jazz.
This led to a Research Grant from RNCM to record and document the project. At the time of writing the recording has been completed and the CD in final preparation.
It is his intention to write another fifty minutes of music for the ensemble, The Felonious Monks
In June 2013, Mike was awarded a Teaching Fellowship Award by RNCM to design and implement a web-based system for learning jazz improvisation.
Undergraduate Teaching
Jazz saxophone tuition
Professional Activity
Mike has directed and been tutor on many summer schools including Wavendon, Manchester, Normandy, Canford, Creative Vacances (France), Farncombe Estates, West Dean College and Jazz Academy. He also regularly gives public workshops in the Manchester area.
He is also a composer and consultant for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. As a composer his saxophone quartet, Tales of the Sun God, has recently been published by Astute Music.
Mike released a CD in 2009, Over the Moon, with the pianist, Dan Whieldon.
In January 2013 Mike was commissioned by the Manchester Jazz Festival to write fifty minutes of original music which brought together musical ideas (and musical instruments) from the 16th century and contemporary jazz.
This led to a Research Grant from RNCM to record and document the project. At the time of writing the recording has been completed and the CD in final preparation.
In June 2013, Mike was awarded a Teaching Fellowship Award by RNCM to design and implement a web-based system for learning jazz improvisation.
