Yanagisawa Saxophones UK are thrilled to announce that endorsee Jess Gillam has won a Classic BRIT award. Jess was awarded with the ‘Sound of Classical Poll’ award at the Classic BRIT 2018 ceremony held at The Royal Albert Hall on 13th June.
Coming off the back of becoming the first saxophonist in history to sign an exclusive record contract with Decca Classics record label, the Classic BRIT award is the latest achievement in a hugely successful period for Jess.
The first ever ‘Sound of Classical Poll’ award recognises and promotes the best emerging artists and ones-to-watch aged between 13-30 in classical music, with Jess being chosen as the winner by a panel of expert judges.
Upon collecting her award, Jess stated, “With every performance I try to be as honest as I possibly can. The saxophone is an instrument that isn’t as widely performed as others in the classical sphere and I’m really trying to do as much as I can for the instrument and for the music. I’m really proud to have won this award.”
Jess became the first saxophonist to win the Woodwind final and reach the grand final of the BBC Young Musician competition in 2016. July will see Jess become the youngest ever female soloist to perform at the BBC Last Night at The Proms where she will also perform in the BBC Young Musician Prom to celebrate 40 years of the competition.
Jess plays Yanagisawa Custom Engraved AWO20 Alto and SWO2U Un-lacquered Bronze Soprano saxophones and uses Vandoren reeds, ligatures and saxophone slings.
The Classic Brit Awards 2018 ceremony will be broadcast on ITV at 10.30pm on Sunday 17th June.
Yanagisawa Saxophones UK is delighted to welcome twenty-year old Irish saxophonist sensation Robert Finegan to our artist roster.
Robert plays Yanagisawa SWO37 Soprano, A9930 Alto, TWO20 Tenor and B991 Baritone saxophones with a range of Vandoren reeds.
Beginning his musical journey at the age of eight with the Ardee Concert Band, Robert was awarded a scholarship from St. Peter’s Male Voice Choir to study at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama where he currently studies music performance with Kevin Hanafin. During his time at DIT, he has been awarded with a School of Excellence Award and was the winner of the Macardle Young Classical Musician Award in 2014.
Robert has continued to amass an impressive list of awards and achievements that include 2nd prize in the Irish Freemasons Young Musician of the Year as well as winning the inaugural Flax Trust Music Award in 2017. He was a finalist in the prestigious RDS Music Bursary and was selected to perform at the ESB Feis Ceoil Gala Concert in the National Concert Hall, Dublin as well as the Rising Stars Concert in the University Concert Hall, Limerick.
April 2017 saw Robert make his Concerto debut, performing Jacques Ibert’s ‘Concertino da Camera’ with the DIT Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Brophy.
Robert will represent Ireland at the 2018 World Saxophone Congress in Zagrab, Croatia in July.
Pictured: Robert Finegan & Bruce Perrin, Barnes & Mullins/Yanagisawa Saxophones UK
Described as “One of the most exciting Irish saxophone players in a generation”, Robert Finegan is an award-winning saxophonist based in London.
Robert has amassed an impressive list of awards and achievements, including Distinction in the 2021 Tunbridge Wells International Competition, 1st prize in the RCM Jane Melber prize, 2nd prize in the Irish Freemasons Young Musician of the Year, as well as winning the inaugural Flax Trust Music Award in 2017.
Passionate about new music, Robert works closely with composers from around the world in the production of new works. His most recent projects include ‘A Modern View of Ancient Ireland’ for Solo Saxophone and Electronics and ‘Paris Chapters’ for Saxophone, Voice and Piano based on Irish writers in Paris. These original projects have been performed at venues and festivals in Ireland, the UK, France and Croatia.
Robert is an avid soloist and chamber musician performing at festivals across Europe, including the Bloomsbury Festival, UK, Festival de Lussan, France, Creative Connexions Festival Sitges, Spain and the RCM Chamber Music Festival, UK.
Alongside festivals, Robert has performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall, National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ulster Hall, Belfast, Guildhall, Derry, Rudolf Steiner Hall, Royal Over-Seas League Princess Alexandra Hall, Milton Court Concert Hall, and the Irish Embassy, London.
In addition to solo performances, Robert has performed with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Britten and Shostakovich Festival Orchestra, RCM Symphony, Philharmonic and Jazz Orchestras.
In 2021, Robert completed the Master of Performance degree, with Distinction, at the Royal College of Music, London, where he studied with Kyle Horch and was a Dr Michael West Scholar. He gained his Bachelor of Music (First Class Honours) from TU Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama, where he studied with Kevin Hanafin. There he received the McNamara Gold Medal for Excellence in his Final Year Performance.
Robert is a passionate teacher and educator, experienced and dedicated to outreach. He is a member of the teaching staff of Hackney Music Development Trust and Music Education Islington and has presented talks at TU Dublin Conservatoire.
Upcoming collaborations include recording an EP with harpist Tara Viscardi which explores the folk music of the UK and Ireland in different contexts and a recording project with pianist Tia Ling, exploring the unpublished works of the French female composer Fernande Decruck.
In 2018, Robert became the first saxophonist to become a Yanagisawa saxophone and Vandoren reed endorsee from the Republic of Ireland.
Robert plays: Yanagisawa SWO37, A9930, TWO20 and B991 saxophones.
Yanagisawa Saxophones UK are delighted to announce that award-winning artist Jess Gillam has signed an exclusive record contract with Decca Classics – making her the first saxophonist to sign for the record label.
Jess states, “I’m so excited to become the first saxophonist ever to join Decca Classics! The saxophone is such a dynamic, versatile and expressive instrument and I cannot wait to record some of my favourite music and share my passion for music and saxophone with as many people as possible.”
Now aged only 19, Jess made history in 2016 when she became the first saxophonist to win the Woodwind final and reach the grand final of the prestigious BBC Young Musician competition. 2017 saw Jess make her first BBC Proms performance at the Royal Albert Hall, performing as a soloist with both the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Jess is due to perform at the Last Night of the Proms later this year.
Managing director of Decca Classics, Dr. Alexander Buhr, commented, "Jess is a unique new voice in the classical music world. She is an exceptionally talented and dedicated musician, and a great communicator. Her charisma and energy are undeniable. We are delighted to welcome her to the Decca Classics family and look forward to partnering with her on her musical journey ahead."
Jess plays Yanagisawa Custom Engraved AWO20 Alto and S901U Un-lacquered Soprano saxophones and uses Vandoren reeds, ligatures and saxophone slings.
Your Privacy whilst using our website
Below, we intend to lay out clearly everything you need to know about the way we use any information that you give us.
www.YanagisawaSaxophones.co.uk is operated by Barnes & Mullins Ltd, who are a Trade-Only Musical Instrument and Pro Audio distributor based in Oswestry, Shropshire, UK. We operate regular business hours (9am – 5.30pm) five days per week.
www.YanagisawaSaxophones.co.uk is a website operated by Barnes & Mullins Ltd. This website is designed to offer information about Yanagisawa instruments and accessories and a; to give answers to frequently asked questions; to allow product registration and product reviews; and to allow you to contact us with enquiries.
We use cookies to aid in the function of this site. The cookies we use are listed further down this page. You do not have to accept these cookies, but if you do not, the website may cease to function properly.
We use Google Analytics and Facebook Pixel to track user visits and activity on our sites. This is explained in more detail below in section 2.2 and 2.2(a). You can manage cookies in your browser and you can manage your Facebook ad preferences here: https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences.
We do not ask for any personal details on this website, unless you decide to register your instrument through this page - https://yanagisawasaxophones.co.uk/register
If you are a Yanagisawa owner and choose to register your instrument on this website, we will ask you for a little of your personal data so we can confirm your registration, and so that you can leave a short review of your instrument for others to read.
Your product review will be permanently located in the reviews section on the relevant product page on this website. Your review may also be replicated on our main trade-only catalogue site www.bandm.co.uk, located in context next to the same product as you have reviewed.
What information is collected during registration?
Who is collecting the data, where is it stored, and how will it be used?
We believe the use of your data in the simple way laid out above, is reasonable and necessary and is based upon your consent.
If for any reason you have a concern over the way that your information is being used, please contact us immediately at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
**
Below is a more detailed explanation of our privacy policy, along with information about which cookies we use and what they do.
Privacy and cookies policy
1. Introduction
1.1 We are committed to safeguarding the privacy of our website visitors and customers; in this policy we explain how we will handle your personal data.
1.2 By using our website and agreeing to this policy, you consent to our use of cookies in accordance with the terms of this policy.
2. How we use your personal data
2.1 In this Section 2 we have set out:
(a) the general categories of personal data that we may process;
(b) the purposes for which we may process personal data; and
(c) the legal bases of the processing.
2.2 We may process data about your use of our website and services ("usage data"). The usage data may include your IP address, geographical location, browser type and version, operating system, referral source, length of visit, page views and website navigation paths, as well as information about the timing, frequency and pattern of your service use. The source of the usage data is Google Analytics and/or Facebook Pixel. This usage data may be processed for the purposes of analysing the use of the website and services, and for retargeting you with relevant advertising content. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely monitoring, improving and promoting our website and services.
2.2(a) We use Facebook Pixel Cookies for analytics and marketing / retargeting purposes. Through the Facebook Pixel we can track various actions that you take on this website and use this information to accurately serve advertisements through the Facebook platforms.
You can find out more detail about Facebook’s cookies and pixel here - https://www.facebook.com/policies/cookies/
If you would like to control what adverts you see and what abilities we – and others - have to serve you appropriate advertisements, you are also able to fully manage your personal ad preferences on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences.
You can read all about Facebook’s advertising system here - https://www.facebook.com/ads/about/
2.3 We may process your account data ("account data"). The account data may include your name and email address. The source of the account data is you or your employer. The account data may be processed for the purposes of operating our website, providing our services, ensuring the security of our website and services, maintaining back-ups of our databases and communicating with you. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the proper administration of our website and business and the performance of a contract between you and us and/or taking steps, at your request, to enter into such a contract.
2.4 We may process information that you post for publication on our website or through our services – such as product registration. ("publication data"). The publication data may be processed for the purposes of enabling such publication and administering our website and services. The legal basis for this processing is consent.
2.5 We may process information contained in any enquiry you submit to us regarding goods and/or services ("enquiry data"). The enquiry data may be processed for the purposes of offering, marketing and selling relevant goods and/or services to you. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the proper administration of our website and business and the performance of a contract between you and us.
2.6 This website does not offer transactions, therefore does not offer information about Transaction Data.
2.7 We may process information that you provide to us for the purpose of subscribing to our email notifications and/or newsletters ("notification data"). The notification data may be processed for the purposes of sending you the relevant notifications and/or newsletters. The legal basis for this processing is consent as a trade customer and the performance of a contract between you and us and/or taking steps, at your request, to enter into such a contract.
2.8 We may process information contained in or relating to any communication that you send to us ("correspondence data"). The correspondence data may include the communication content and metadata associated with the communication. Our website will generate the metadata associated with communications made using the website contact forms. The correspondence data may be processed for the purposes of communicating with you and record-keeping. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the proper administration of our website and business and communications with users.
2.9 We may process any of your personal data identified in this policy where necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, whether in court proceedings or in an administrative or out-of-court procedure. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the protection and assertion of our legal rights, your legal rights and the legal rights of others.
2.10 We may process any of your personal data identified in this policy where necessary for the purposes of obtaining or maintaining insurance coverage, managing risks, or obtaining professional advice. The legal basis for this processing is our legitimate interests, namely the proper protection of our business against risks.
2.11 In addition to the specific purposes for which we may process your personal data set out in this Section 2, we may also process any of your personal data where such processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject.
3. Providing your personal data to others
3.1 We may disclose your personal data to any member of our group of companies this means our subsidiaries, our ultimate holding company and all its subsidiaries insofar as reasonably necessary for the purposes, and on the legal bases, set out in this policy.
3.2 We may disclose your personal data to our insurers and/or professional advisers insofar as reasonably necessary for the purposes of obtaining or maintaining insurance coverage, managing risks, obtaining professional advice, or the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, whether in court proceedings or in an administrative or out-of-court procedure.
3.3 This website does not offer goods for sale.
3.4 In addition to the specific disclosures of personal data set out in this Section 3, we may disclose your personal data where such disclosure is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject, or in order to protect your vital interests or the vital interests of another natural person. We may also disclose your personal data where such disclosure is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims, whether in court proceedings or in an administrative or out-of-court procedure.
4. International transfers of your personal data
4.1 In this Section 4, we provide information about the circumstances in which your personal data may be transferred to [countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA)].
4.2 The hosting facilities for our website are situated in the United Kingdom.
4.3 Our bulk mailing application, Mailchimp is based in The United States of America. The European Commission has made an "adequacy decision" with respect to the data protection laws of the USA. Transfers of data to the USA will be protected by appropriate safeguards, namely the use of standard data protection clauses adopted or approved by the European Commission.
Mailchimp comply with the EU-SWISS-USA Privacy Shield framework about which more information can be found here: https://www.privacyshield.gov/participant?id=a2zt0000000TO6hAAG&status=Active
4.4 You acknowledge that personal data that you submit for publication – by such means as Product Registration or Product Reviews - through our website or services may be available, via the internet, around the world. We cannot prevent the use (or misuse) of such personal data by others.
5. Retaining and deleting personal data
5.1 This Section 5 sets out our data retention policies and procedure, which are designed to help ensure that we comply with our legal obligations in relation to the retention and deletion of personal data.
5.2 Personal data that we process for any purpose or purposes shall not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose or those purposes.
5.3 We will retain your personal data as follows:
(a) All personal data – obtained through product registration and review - that is present on the website will be retained for as long as the site remains active and the information remains relevant. You are able to request removal of your data at any time.
5.4 In some cases it is not possible for us to specify in advance the periods for which your personal data will be retained. In such cases, we will determine the period of retention based on the following criteria:
(a) All personal data – obtained through product registration and review - that is present on the website will be retained for as long as the site remains active and the information remains relevant. You are able to request removal of your data at any time.
5.5 Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 5, we may retain your personal data where such retention is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which we are subject, or in order to protect your vital interests or the vital interests of another natural person.
6. Amendments
6.1 We may update this policy from time to time by publishing a new version on our website.
6.2 You should check this page occasionally to ensure you are happy with any changes to this policy.
6.3 We may notify you of changes to this policy by email, if we have your consent, or by posting news of changes on the front page of our website.
7. Your rights
7.1 In this Section 7, we have summarised the rights that you have under data protection law. Some of the rights are complex, and not all of the details have been included in our summaries. Accordingly, you should read the relevant laws and guidance from the regulatory authorities for a full explanation of these rights.
7.2 Your principal rights under data protection law are:
(a) the right to access;
(b) the right to rectification;
(c) the right to erasure;
(d) the right to restrict processing;
(e) the right to object to processing;
(f) the right to data portability;
(g) the right to complain to a supervisory authority; and
(h) the right to withdraw consent.
7.3 You have the right to confirmation as to whether or not we process your personal data and, where we do, access to the personal data, together with certain additional information. That additional information includes details of the purposes of the processing, the categories of personal data concerned and the recipients of the personal data. Providing the rights and freedoms of others are not affected, we will supply to you a copy of your personal data. The first copy will be provided free of charge, but additional copies may be subject to a reasonable fee.
7.4 You have the right to have any inaccurate personal data about you rectified and, taking into account the purposes of the processing, to have any incomplete personal data about you completed.
7.5 In some circumstances you have the right to the erasure of your personal data without undue delay. Those circumstances include: the personal data are no longer necessary in relation to the purposes for which they were collected or otherwise processed; you withdraw consent to consent-based processing; you object to the processing under certain rules of applicable data protection law; the processing is for direct marketing purposes; and the personal data have been unlawfully processed. However, there are exclusions of the right to erasure. The general exclusions include where processing is necessary: for exercising the right of freedom of expression and information; for compliance with a legal obligation; or for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
7.6 In some circumstances you have the right to restrict the processing of your personal data. Those circumstances are: you contest the accuracy of the personal data; processing is unlawful but you oppose erasure; we no longer need the personal data for the purposes of our processing, but you require personal data for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; and you have objected to processing, pending the verification of that objection. Where processing has been restricted on this basis, we may continue to store your personal data. However, we will only otherwise process it: with your consent; for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims; for the protection of the rights of another natural or legal person; or for reasons of important public interest.
7.7 You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data on grounds relating to your particular situation, but only to the extent that the legal basis for the processing is that the processing is necessary for: the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of any official authority vested in us; or the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by us or by a third party. If you make such an objection, we will cease to process the personal information unless we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override your interests, rights and freedoms, or the processing is for the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
7.8 You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data for direct marketing purposes (including profiling for direct marketing purposes). If you make such an objection, we will cease to process your personal data for this purpose.
7.9 You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data for scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes on grounds relating to your particular situation, unless the processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out for reasons of public interest.
7.10 To the extent that the legal basis for our processing of your personal data is:
(a) consent; or
(b) that the processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which you are party or in order to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract,
and such processing is carried out by automated means, you have the right to receive your personal data from us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. However, this right does not apply where it would adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others.
7.11 If you consider that our processing of your personal information infringes data protection laws, you have a legal right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority responsible for data protection. You may do so in the EU member state of your habitual residence, your place of work or the place of the alleged infringement.
7.12 To the extent that the legal basis for our processing of your personal information is consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal will not affect the lawfulness of processing before the withdrawal.
7.13 You may exercise any of your rights in relation to your personal data by written notice to us.
8. Third party websites
8.1 Our website includes hyperlinks to, and details of, third party websites.
8.2 We have no control over, and are not responsible for, the privacy policies and practices of third parties.
9. Personal data of children
9.1 Our website www.YanagisawaSaxophones.co.uk and our products are targeted at persons of all ages, however we believe it reasonable that we do not accept product registrations or reviews from persons below the age of 16.
9.2 We ask for confirmation of age at the time of registration, but if we have reason to believe that we hold personal data of a person under 16 in our databases, we will delete that personal data.
10. Updating information
10.1 Please let us know if the personal information that we hold about you needs to be corrected or updated.
11. About cookies
11.1 A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.
11.2 Cookies may be either "persistent" cookies or "session" cookies: a persistent cookie will be stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date, unless deleted by the user before the expiry date; a session cookie, on the other hand, will expire at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed.
11.3 Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.
12. Cookies that we use
12.1 We use the following cookies for the following purposes:
This cookie list is generated automatically by Cookie-Script.com. We use cookie-script.com to generate the cookie consent notification.
The above are how these cookies are described by google analytics. You can find out more information about how Google Analytics cookies work and how long they are active for here: https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/analyticsjs/cookie-usage
Barnes & Mullins Custom Coded Cookies:
complianceCookie – Cookie notice popup
13. Cookies used by our service providers
13.1 Our service providers use cookies and those cookies may be stored on your computer when you visit our website.
13.2 We use Google Analytics to analyse the use of our website. Google Analytics gathers information about website use by means of cookies. The information gathered relating to our website is used to create reports about the use of our website. Google's privacy policy is available at: https://www.google.com/policies/privacy/.[ The relevant cookies are: [identify cookies].]
13.3 We use ADDTHIS to assist in social media sharing of our content. You can view the privacy policy of this service provider at http://www.addthis.com/privacy/privacy-policy
13.4 We use Facebook Pixel Cookies for analytics and marketing / retargeting purposes. Through the Facebook Pixel we can track various actions that you take on this website and use this information to accurately serve advertisements through the Facebook platforms.
You can find out more detail about Facebook’s cookies and pixel here - https://www.facebook.com/policies/cookies/
If you would like to control what adverts you see and what abilities we – and others - have to serve you appropriate advertisements, you are also able to fully manage your personal ad preferences on Facebook here - https://www.facebook.com/ads/preferences.
You can read all about Facebook’s advertising system here - https://www.facebook.com/ads/about/
14. Managing cookies
14.1 Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies and to delete cookies. The methods for doing so vary from browser to browser, and from version to version. You can however obtain up-to-date information about blocking and deleting cookies via these links:
(a) https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en (Chrome);
(b) https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-and-disable-cookies-website-preferences (Firefox);
(c) http://www.opera.com/help/tutorials/security/cookies/ (Opera);
(d) https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies (Internet Explorer);
(e) https://support.apple.com/kb/PH21411 (Safari); and
(f) https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10-microsoft-edge-and-privacy (Edge).
14.2 Blocking all cookies will have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites.
14.3 If you block cookies, you will not be able to use all the features on our website.
15. Cookie preferences
15.1 You can manage your preferences relating to the use of cookies in your internet browser.
16. Our details
16.1 This website is owned and operated by Barnes & Mullins Ltd.
16.2 We are registered in England and Wales under registration number 01305000 and our registered office is at Unit 14, Mile Oak Industrial Estate, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 8GA
16.3 Our principal place of business is at Unit 14, Mile Oak Industrial Estate, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 8GA
16.4 You can contact us:
(a) by post, to the postal address given above
(b) using our website contact form;
(c) by telephone, on 01691 652449
(d) by email, using This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
17. Representative within the European Union
17.1 Our representative within the European Union with respect to our obligations under data protection law is ALEX MEW and you can contact our representative by using the contact us details above.
18. Data protection officer
18.1 Our data protection officer's contact details are:
SARAH LEWIS. 01691 652449
We are delighted to announce the launch of new Yanagisawa WO Soprano saxophones in the UK.
Designed as upgraded replacements to the popular S901 and S902 Soprano range, the new WO Soprano saxophones offer a host of new features that further improve tone and increase playability. The series comprises of ‘Professional’ and ‘Elite’ models suitable for both advanced students and accomplished players – available in lacquered and unlacquered brass, bronze and silver options in the key of Bb (low Bb to high F# range).
Improved compound materials, a redesigned taper, new tone hole positioning and relocated right pinky keys ensure Yanagisawa WO Soprano models benefit from a cleaner tone, improved note intonation and even greater playability. The angle of the left palm keys has been modified for smoother fingering and each model features a nickel silver G rod for added strength.
WO Soprano ‘Professional’ models are light one-piece, free blowing instruments with a resonant tone and ergonomic key design, making them the perfect choice for dedicated students to learn and develop their own style.
WO series ‘Elite’ Sopranos represent the pinnacle of saxophone craftsmanship, delivering a moderate level of resistance allowing experienced players to discover effortless tone with unrivalled depth and flexibility. They feature straight and curved neck options, plus have a new neck plate design offering a tighter overall sound.
Each Soprano sax comes complete with a fabric covered wooden shell case with outer accessory pocket and back straps for safe and comfortable transportation.
The Yanagisawa WO Series Soprano models retail from £3700 and are available to order now.
View WO Soprano saxophones here.
Duncan Eagles a London-based saxophonist who performs regularly at venues and festivals all over the world.
Throughout his career so far, he has appeared at many major venues and festivals around the world including Ronnie Scotts, Pizza Express Jazz Club (Soho), Cheltenham International Jazz Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Istanbul Jazz Festival, EFG London Jazz Festival, Moods Jazz Club (Zurich), Wuhan Jazz Fest (China), The Kings Place, Brecon Jazz Festival, Love Supreme Jazz Festival and The Paris Cat (Melbourne). Duncan was also one of the musicians selected for Serious's Take 5 scheme for 2017
As well as running his own groups, Duncan is also very much in demand as a sideman, and has performed and recorded with some of the top names and bands in the music world including Gary Husband, Zara McFarlane, Melt Yourself Down, Mark Mondesir, Ola Onabule, Janek Gwizdala and George Ezra to name a few.
Duncan's critically acclaimed band, Partikel, have released four albums to date, their second, third and fourth albums "Cohesion", "String Theory" and Counteraction being signed on one of the world's most exciting labels, Whirlwind Recordings, and have been met with praise form the UK, European and USA press, Cohesion being hailed as one of the top 10 releases of 2012 according to renown critic Kevin LeGendre and String Theory making it into the European Jazz Network Charts and also the Daily Telegraph's best albums of 2015 .
Duncan is also part of many other projects making exciting music in the UK and beyond, including the Benet McLean Band appearing on his latest two album 'Live at the 606' and 'The Bopped and the Bopless' released on 33 Records. Duncan also performs in the award winning Ollie Howell Quintet, again also appearing on his debut album released worldwide on Whirlwind Recordings and his latest album 'Self Identity' out now on American label Ropeadope Records.
As well as his extensive performing career, Duncan is also a tutor on the Dordogne International Jazz Summer School and he also holds a residency every Monday evening at London's award winning jazz club The Hideaway, where he runs a workshop, followed by a jam session. This session has been a regular fixture on the London jazz scene since 2010, attracting younger aspiring musicians as well as established professionals.
Duncan plays: Yanagisawa S-992 Soprano Bronze & AWO32 Eb Alto Saxophones.
Yanagisawa took the opportunity to showcase their expert instrument-making talents with the presentation of four stunning, one-off ‘Urushi’ saxophones at this year’s Musikmesse event in Frankfurt.
The unique Tenor, Alto, Baritone and Soprano models feature traditional floral engravings and decorations created using Japanese Urushi lacquering techniques dating back to the Jomon period between 14000-300BC. Sourced from the sap of the native Japanese Urushi tree, Urushi acts as an adhesive as well as a lacquer and has been used for centuries throughout Japanese artist culture.
Originating from the Japanese words ‘uruwashi’ or ‘urumu’, meaning ‘fresh and vibrant gloss’, the treatment of each of the four Yanagisawa Saxophones has resulted in just that – a set of handcrafted instruments that display stunning, detailed imagery with a stunning, lustrous gloss.
Created in collaboration with Urushi artist Yurie Akaiwa, the aim of the project was to explore the possibilities of using the saxophone as a musical canvas for portraying themes from the Japanese natural world. As a result of the unique Urushi technique, each saxophone has taken on its very own distinctive voice with a mellow tone.
All four models have been expertly crafted using a mix of traditional Urushi techniques known as ‘urauchi’, ‘hira makie’, ‘hirame nashiji’ and ‘chinkin’ – each with their own set of detailed technical processes. For example, the Alto model used the Hirame Nashiji technique of mixing two types of gold powder onto the body before repeatedly layering with translucent Urushi lacquer. This process resulted in the mesmerising star-scape finish.
Leading technician Akihiro Ueno mastered the meticulous chinkin technique using fine chisels to achieve the gold and bronze dianthus and pampas grass engravings seen on the “Hint of Fall” Soprano sax.
Ueno states, “In order to maintain the performance of the instrument a thinner lacquer was required than is normal for this technique. We had to take into account that lacquer continues to gradually harden after it has been applied. A thinner lacquer left to harden for up to 6 months created the best conditions for chinkin.”
The saxophone keys were painstakingly removed and the instruments separated into component parts, then rotated while specially designed equipment distributed the Urushi lacquer evenly across the surface. The materials were repeatedly heated by infrared radiation at 120 °C in order for the fine Urushi lacquer to adhere as required.
The Urushi series saxophones are the culmination of placing hugely significant and revered Japanese artwork techniques in the hands of Yanagisawa’s master craftsman. Combining the highest quality materials with Yanagisawa’s superior manufacturing skills have resulted in the most delicately detailed instruments that are testament to the depth and breadth of the brands unparalleled saxophone-making skills.
These four saxophones are not for sale, but will travel to exhibitions and art events around the world throughout 2017/18.
Matthew Johnson, perhaps better known under his stage alias Matt Saxx, has, in his career to date, become widely recognised as one of the world’s leading nightclub saxophonists.
Having studied on the Isle of Wight with ace jazz saxophonist Gary Plumley, Matt gained a place at Leeds College of Music, where he studied under the tutorship of Jim Corry, Jamiroquai’s sax player. Since graduating in 2014 with a BA(Hons)(Jazz Studies), Matt has specialised in pop and house music.
His first major residency was with global lifestyle brand CandyPants, playing not only throughout the UK (Oracle – Leeds; House of Hugo – Sheffield; Livello – Newcastle) but also in Ibiza (STK – Ibiza Town) and in Marbella (Plaza Beach and Mirage – Puerto Banus). Further afield, Matt has played at Formula 1 events in Abu Dhabi and at New Year’s Eve extravaganzas at FIVE in Dubai, where he was spotted by internationally renowned house music act Claptone and was invited to guest for two numbers to rapturous applause.
Since 2018, Matt has been spending half of his working year in Ibiza, where he plays every week of the summer season at what is arguably the world’s greatest beach club: OBeach for HotBed; sharing the stage with legendary DJ/Producer MK (Marc Kinchen), alongside resident DJs Billy Cocks, Larry London, Lloyd & Parris and Danny Langan. The HotBed brand has also taken him to Dubai’s SoHo Beach Club for a weekly residency preceding acts such as Sandy Rivera. Afloat, he is the resident saxophonist for the Pukka Up boat franchise, performing regularly off Ibiza’s golden shores. He also appears for Wndrlnd and House In Paradise, Pukka Up’s sister companies, at super-club Eden and OBeach Club respectively. Matt Saxx’s other notable Balearic residencies include San Antonio’s Itaca nightclub, fronting Ladies Night, Playroom, DooWop, Ibiza Classics and SOKO and various venues with Symphonic Ibiza, a 24-piece orchestra that covers electronic dance classics.
For the other six months of his year, Matt bases himself in England, UK, performing for HotBed at top venues like Century, McQueens and SugarHut. He has also appeared at Tobacco Dock, London, with HotBed’s sister brand Abode. Furthermore, he was one of the few selected to represent the brand at Abode In The Park and at We Are Festival. North of the border, he plays exclusively at WhyNot in Edinburgh, Scotland. His busy schedule also features one-off exclusive boat parties on the River Thames. Other winter highlights include fronting Viral Music’s events in St Anton, Austria – ‘Powder - Ibiza to the Alps’ – following on from earlier appearances at Dick’s Tea Bar in Val d’Isere. In 2021 in Val Thorens, France, he will appear in a star-studded line-up for Abode In The Snow, which will also feature Darius Syrossian, Detlef and Latmun.
All this hard work has earned him sponsorship from saxophone manufacturer Yanagisawa and endorsed apparel from BoohooMAN, SikSilk and Yodada.
Looking to the future, Matt Saxx will be releasing a three-track EP with the HotBed Band, as well as collaborating on a track with Boon and featuring on music by various artists, including Damon Hess, Zach Tellett and Mr A. In addition, followers of Matt Saxx will see him in a completely different light in an exciting new riff-loop based project with drummer Dan Hudson.
Matt’s life’s work is dedicated to his parents, his friends and the mentors who have facilitated his musical journey.
Matt plays: Yanagisawa A901 & T901.
Music industry charity Music For All have recently teamed up with woodwind retailers Woodwind & Reed and the Music Industries Association (MIA) to help a talented young saxophonist achieve her vision of playing her dream Yanagisawa Saxophone.
Lily and her mother recently applied to Music For All for a grant to help Lily buy the Yanagisawa AWO10 Alto Saxophone she needed to fulfil her potential as a young aspiring musician. Playing for 3 years, Lily has already shown outstanding talent and potential having achieved her Grade 5 in Saxophone and become a student at Academy East Music School. She also plays regularly in the Colchester Parachute Regiment and Colchester Band Stand.
Challenging family circumstances have made Lily’s development as a musician particularly difficult and have meant she has not had access to a saxophone capable of showcasing her talents fully. That is now a thing of the past thanks to the support of Music For All.
Music For All are a UK based charity who offer financial and developmental support to many people who are not in the fortunate position to independently discover and nurture their musical interests. They provide access to musical instruments and are able to support and encourage the learning process through a schedule of Learn to Play events nationwide that are regularly endorsed by celebrity ambassadors that includes choral animateur, singer and presenter Gareth Malone OBE. Gareth states, “I was very lucky to grow up in a house full of singing which made me the musician I am today. Without having a piano in our house, that I could play at any time, I wouldn’t be working in music now. The work that ‘Music for All’ do is very important in helping the next generation of musicians realise their potential.”
Thanks to the work of Music For All and its associated partners, Lily is now the proud owner of a Yanagisawa AWO10 Alto Saxophone.
