Liverpool Sax Day
LIVERPOOL SAX DAY 2024
Sunday 25 February 10:00am - 10:00pm
The day long event features workshops, masterclasses, performances from International Sax Superstar Denys Baptiste plus the North's leading jazz tenorist/ educator Dean Masser.
Bring your sax and join in the ensemble classes hosted by prolific international sax expert and composer Andy Scott, and also peruse and try out all the latest sax models and paraphernalia at the many trade stalls.
Liverpool Sax Day ticket holders get automatic FREE entrance to the highly anticipated Liverpool International Jazz Festival Denys Baptiste Late Trane Quartet evening concert.
EVENT GUIDE
DOORS OPEN 10:00 AM
Welcome to Liverpool Sax Day 2024 - all daytime events are held in the Cornerstone building - the evening Denys Baptiste Liverpool International Jazz Festival concert is in The Capstone Theatre 200 metres walk across the gardens.
10:00AM - 5:30PM - TRADE SHOW - Ground Floor, Cornerstone Building
On the ground floor of the Cornerstone you will be immediately greeted by the trade exhibition. A host of saxophones, mouthpieces and accessories available to peruse, try, purchase/order - displayed by the leading saxophone manufacturers and companies: Selmer Paris, D'Addario Woodwinds, Lupifaro, Conn-Selmer, Brilhart, Trevor James, Vandoren, Yanagisawa, BG France, BAM cases, Hiscox cases, Legere reeds, Keyleaves, Syos, Barnes & Mullins, Curly Woodwind ...
10:30AM - 11:45AM - ANDY SCOTT'S MASS SAX ENSEMBLE - Great Hall, First Floor, Cornerstone Building
Bring your sax and join in the fun! If you're not familiar with Andy Scott, he is the one of the UK's leading sax specialists/composers and chances are you've played some of his compositions out of popular music publications and examination grades. Multi nominated, British Composer Award winner, founder member of the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Tutor of Saxophone at Royal Northern College of Music, the list goes on and on! Andy has prepared some great pieces for everyone to play during this ensemble class. You'll be able to play with many other sax enthusiasts and gain some useful technical hints from the great man himself. Suitable for ALL players, ALL levels (there will be simple and more advanced parts available)- bring your music stand!
In association with Henri Selmer Paris, Vandoren Paris & Astute Music
12:30PM - 2:00PM - DENYS BAPTISTE MASTERCLASS -Warehouse Theatre, Ground Floor, Cornerstone Building
An up close and personal masterclass with Liverpool International Jazz Festival's headlining act, the critically acclaimed saxophonist and composer Denys Baptiste.
Mercury Music Prize for An Album Of The Year 1999, MOBO Award for Best Jazz Act 1999, 2000 British Jazz Award for Rising Star 2000, Parliamentary Jazz Award for Best Album 2004, BBC Jazz Award for Best New Work 2004, MOBO for Best Jazz Act 2004, Jazz FM Award Nomination for Best Album and Best Live Event 2018.
In this masterclass Denys talks about his approach to saxophone playing, performance, improvisation and so on, giving a useful insight prior to the evening's performance over in the Capstone Theatre. Suitable for ALL players (you do NOT need your instrument).
2:30PM - 3:45PM - ANDY SCOTT'S MASS SAX ENSEMBLE WITH RHYTHM SECTION - Great Hall, First Floor, Cornerstone Building
Bring your sax and join in the fun! The second Ensemble class of the day gives you the opportunity to perform Andy's compositions with a live rhythm section. Again, Andy will be directing and giving tips on various techniques throughout the class. Suitable for ALL players (there will be simple and more advanced parts available) - bring your music stand!
In association with Henri Selmer Paris, Vandoren Paris & Astute Music
4:15PM - 5:30PM - DEAN MASSER WORKSHOP - Warehouse Theatre, Ground Floor, Cornerstone Building
To round off the afternoon's session the North's leading bop tenor master unveils useful tips and tricks to boost your improvisational skills, tone, timing, technique.
After graduating from Leeds College of Music, Dean Masser became a member of the Jack Parnell Quartet, which recorded a live album during a week-long stint at Ronnie Scott’s. Since then, Dean has played alongside many of the leading names in British jazz at numerous venues and festivals. He has many television and radio appearances to his credit, and released his first album as leader in 2010.
“Dean has always had a great sound, and this album captures it beautifully.” – Julian Siegal , "Old School" CD release. Suitable for ALL players (you do NOT need your instrument).
In association with BG France
*** CORNERSTONE CAFE will be open throughout the day serving a wide selection of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks. ***
7:30PM - 10:00PM - DENYS BAPTISTE LATE TRANE QUARTET, LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL - The Capstone Theatre
Denys Baptiste - saxophones , Nikki Yeoh - piano, Larry Bartley - bass , Rod Youngs - drums
Born in London of St Lucian parents in 1969, Denys studied music at school from the age of 13 and, in 1990, went on to study at the West London Institute (Brunel University). In 1992, he continued his music education at London’s Guildhall School of Music, studying under former Jazz Messenger, Jean Toussaint.
From the moment he joined the London jazz circuit, Denys displayed extraordinary talent, energy and commitment. Spotted by veteran Jazz Warriors double bassist, Gary Crosby at the bassist’s regular Tomorrow’s Warriors jam sessions, Denys was immediately invited to join Crosby’s new band, Nu Troop. Since then, Denys has soared in his development as a soloist and bandleader, earning enormous respect from his peers.
His colossal talent - based on a powerful technique and an ability to improvise fluently and effortlessly across a wide range of musical styles – is matched only by his unfettered energy which takes him and his audiences into the musical stratosphere. An evening with Denys guarantees a display of unsuppressed expression, ranging from sweet “saxuality” to breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat virtuosity. Over the years, Denys has evolved into what the Time Magazine describes as “the icon of British jazz”, with a most distinctive and immediately recognisable sound.
A much sought after soloist, Denys has played/recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and other genres including McCoy Tyner, Andrew Hill, Ernest Ranglin, Bheki Mseleku, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Michael Bowie, Courtney Pine, Manu Dibango, Gary Crosby, Steve Williamson, Julian Joseph, Jason Rebello, Martin Taylor, Lonnie Plaxico, Ralph Moore, Billy Higgins, Jerry Dammers, Sean Oliver, Jean Carne, Marlena Shaw, Noel McCoy, Juliet Roberts, Incognito, Jazz Jamaica, and others of distinction.
Tonight's concert features tracks from Denys' latest album The Late Trane. Denys reimagines and reworks ten carefully chosen compositions from John Coltrane’s late music (from 1963 - 1967) with a fresh and modern new interpretation, The Late Trane perfectly balances Baptiste’s unique artistic vision with the visceral emotions and cosmic references that encompasses Coltrane’s late music. The Late Trane received 4* review in the national and international press and was nominated for 2 Jazz FM awards.