Phoenix welcomed guest saxophonists from far and wide to Church Langton on 26 February for an inspiring all day workshop, led by professional saxophonist and composer Mick Foster.
The workshop, held at Church Langton Community Hall on Sunday 26 February, drew together 24 players on seven different types of saxophone – sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass and contrabass.
Ten Phoenix members were delighted to be joined by another 14 sax players for the workshop, which focused on three pieces of music specifically written for a large saxophone ensemble – ‘The Oily Rag’, a jolly ragtime number gifted to Phoenix by Antipodean composer Richard Percival; ‘Mission Improbable’, an arresting piece from composer John Holland; and the first ever performance of ‘Journey Home’, a brand new piece composed by Mick Foster especially for Phoenix. The group also worked through Nigel Wood’s arrangement of Jean-Philippe Rameau’s ‘Dance of the Savages’.
Baritone sax player Nick Jones, who came all the way from York to attend the workshop, said: “It’s really good to have the opportunity to play with a group of this size, and I really enjoyed the day. Mick Foster was an excellent leader and it was well worth making the journey.”
Mick Foster, who is a professional saxophonist, woodwind player and composer, and one of the UK’s foremost exponents of the baritone sax, said: “It was a pleasure to work with Phoenix and their guests. We had a very productive day working through a wide range of music. I was very happy with how my new piece, Journey Home, sounded. The ensemble made a wonderful rich sound, and the atmosphere in the room felt very positive.”
Mick Foster, Harborough Jazz, Sunday 12 March
If you’d like to hear Mick play live, he will be performing at the Harborough Jazz Club lunchtime jazz sessions (12 for 12.30pm) at the Three Swan’s Hotel on Sunday 12 March, in a quartet with Dominic Ashworth on guitar, Tom Farmer on bass and Tristan Mailliot on drums. Tickets are £14 for members and £16 for non-members. To book and check ticket availability, please visit harboroughjazz.com.
Mick has played with the big bands of John Dankworth, Stan Sultzman and Michael Garrick, and with Ginger Baker’s Air Force.
Media
Harborough Mail online, 24 January 2023
Harborough Mail, 4 February 2023
Market Harborough Living magazine, February 2023
Harborough Mail online, 9 March 2023
