03/11/2024 RNCM Saxophone Day

Schedule of the day:

10am / RNCM Concert Hall
Massed Saxophone Orchestra
The day begins with our popular massed playing session. Parts will be available for all levels, including easier parts for less experienced players. Bring your instruments along and join in!

12pm / Various venues
Workshop Sessions
Choose between:

OPTION 1: FLAMENCO JAZZ with Antonio Lizana
Antonio will present an introduction to flamenco culture, rhythm and melodies, and explain how to bring these into your playing. This session will give you a real insight into the music and performance ethos of tonight’s performance by the Antonio Lizana Quintet.

OPTION 2: OPEN EARS, OPEN MIND with Andy Scott 
Andy discusses the relationship between improvisation, composition and performance, and how we may benefit as saxophonists from this knowledge.  With practical examples, bring your instrument.
For all levels
This workshop will be repeated at 3.15pm

OPTION 3: JAZZ IMPROVISATION – THE POWER OF PENTATONICS with Mike Hall
In a practical hands-on workshop Mike takes you through the versatility of 5-note scales; from the basic minor pentatonic for beginners through to valuable methods for introducing harmonic colour into your jazz playing!
For all levels

OPTION 4: PLAYING SESSION with Gilly Blair and Ruth Bourn
Ensemble playing session with Junior RNCM tutors Ruth Bourn and Gilly Blair.
For all levels
This workshop will be repeated at 3.15pm

2pm / RNCM Concert Hall
RNCM Saxophone Orchestra

Part of RNCM Saxophone Day, our student saxophonists come together for a vibrant and rhythmic afternoon of music. Highlighting the instrument’s remarkable versatility, this performance features intricate solos and bold ensemble passages, showcasing the richly textured soundscape that only a saxophone orchestra can deliver.

PROGRAMME:

Eddie Parker The Status Quo
Adam Gorb Burlesque
Andy Scott Tjuonnavagge*
Eden Longson Galactic Pot Healer
Adam Caird Rung

Carl Raven, Gillian Blair soloists* 
Rob Buckland director

Eleanor Williams sopranino/soprano
Taya Holovko, Nick Rushworth, Aaron Lo sopranos
João Correira, Oliver Pritchard Jones, Maddie Stewart, Aidan Bryson, Emily Leavy altos
Fred Donlon-Mansbridge, Conor Parker-Delves, Jamie Marriot tenors
Matt Haworth, Emily Manson, Sam Nuttall baritones
Rachael Green bass

3.15pm / Various venues
Workshop Sessions
Choose between:

OPTION 1: EXPLORING THE DIMINISHED SCALE with Alex Clarke 
Exploring the diminished scale, how and where to use it in our improvisations.
Intermediate and above level

OPTION 2: SAXOPHONE AND ELECTRONICS with Carl Raven 
The saxophone, electronics and the basics of making new sounds.
For all levels

OPTION 3: SOUND: PRODUCTION AND CONSISTENCY with Rob Buckland
Understanding the how, what, and why of sound, with strategies for effective practice and implementation.
For all levels

OPTION 4: OPEN EARS, OPEN MIND with Andy Scott 
Andy discusses the relationship between improvisation, composition and performance, and how we may benefit as saxophonists from this knowledge.  With practical examples, bring your instrument.
For all levels

OPTION 5: LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE – MUSIC OF HORACE SILVER with Mike Hall 
Mike takes an ensemble of mixed saxes and rhythm section through a couple of his jazz charts. Plenty of opportunities for improvisors too!
For all levels

OPTION 6: PLAYING SESSION with Gilly Blair and Ruth Bourn 
Ensemble playing session with Junior RNCM Tutors of Saxophone Ruth Bourn & Gilly Blair.
For all levels

4.45pm / RNCM Concert Hall
Yorkshire Saxophone Choir

The Yorkshire Saxophone choir present a programme of original works for 12 piece saxophone orchestra focussing on composers with strong links to RNCM. The featured pieces showcase the vibrant sound of the saxophone ensemble and the distinctive individual voices within it across a range of different contemporary styles.

PROGRAMME:

Martin Ellerby Excursions
Rob Buckland Altostratus
Eden Longson What Sauce!
Jenni Watson Weathervane
Barbara Thompson iTango
Andy Scott Paquito

5.45pm / The Lounge
SELMER QUIZ
Join Lucy from Henri Selmer Paris for an interactive quiz and talk on their history and how they produce their saxophones, and be in with a chance to win a free Alto Henri Selmer Paris mouthpiece.

6.30pm / RNCM Theatre
Antonio Lizana Quintet
plus support: Alex Clarke + Dave Newton

Alex Clarke saxophone
Dave Newton piano

Antonio Lizana saxophone / vocals
Daniel García piano / vocals
El Mawi de Cádiz flamenco dancer / vocals
Arin Keshishi bass
Shayan Fathi drums

Finalist of the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020 and winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards, Alex Clarke showcases her talent alongside renowned jazz pianist Dave Newton before we welcome southern Spain’s most celebrated flamenco-jazz artist, Antonio Lizana and his quintet, for the first time in Manchester.

Antonio Lizana

Lizana is a jazz saxophonist, flamenco singer, and composer, and his live shows are described as a ‘breathtaking journey from flamenco roots to contemporary jazz’, spun together with his soulful lyrics carrying messages of optimism and sincerity to his audiences. His appearance at this year’s event is no exception, featuring a vibrant array of music complemented by a fiery flamenco dancer to bring the sound to life.

Born and raised in San Fernando, a province of Cádiz and one of the cradles of flamenco singing, Lizana has collaborated with countless local artists to inform his technique and style, allowing him to go on to share the authentic flamenco spirit with the world. He is one of the only Spanish artists to record an American NPR Tiny Desk concert and has worked with artists such as Arturo O’Farrill and Alejandro Sanz on Grammy Award-winning works.

Rob Buckland, Andy Scott artistic directors