Andy 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. 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. Its records its next CD in Mexico this August & is working with poetry and visuals, using words by Roger McGough and Lemn Sissay in a multimedia collaboration that tours the UK in 2009/2010. The Duos debut CD ‘SandDancer’ (Quartz) met with critical acclaim.

Andy 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 14th World Saxophone Congress in Slovenia in July 2006, and in 2009 records its third CD ‘Surfacing For Air’.

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.

Andy gave a performance of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett’s Concerto for Stan Getz at the composer’s 70th 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; James Gourlay, 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.

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.

As a result of Les Neish commissioning Andy to write him a Tuba Concerto, ‘Salt of the Earth’, which was premiered by Les & Foden’s Brass Band at the RNCM Festival of Brass in January 2008, Andy was delighted to be appointed as Composer-in-Residence with Foden’s Band & is looking forward to working closely with the wonderful musicians of Fodens to produce new band and solo compositions!

As an educator Andy holds posts as Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music, co-Artistic Director with Rob Buckland of the annual RNCM Saxophone Day, Artistic Director of the Harrogate Saxophone Summer School, is Visiting Tutor of Saxophone at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, and is enjoying his time as Composer-in-Residence at Sandbach School.
Andy is published by Astute Music & is an endorsee of Selmer Paris Saxophones.

www.andyscott.org.uk