Saxophone Summit
@ the 606 Club
Featuring; Peter King, Brandon Allen, Alex Garnett, Mike Chillingworth
& Robin Aspland (piano)
14 November 2015

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Brandon Allen biography

Brandon Allen was born in Perth, Western Australia. He started playing the piano at the age of 10, then played classical guitar for one year before taking up the saxophone at age 13.
After graduating from Corpus Christi College he was accepted into the Western Australian Conservatorium of Music, studying for a bachelor degree, majoring in jazz performance.

He toured extensively with Dr Bogus and the Wizards of Wonder (a show band) throughout Australia for a year and a half, as well as working with various groups in Perth before relocating to London. Since arriving in the UK, he has worked with many varied artists and groups/ensembles, performing within the jazz, funk, R&B, hip hop, soul, big band, classical and pop genres.

Allen also worked as a session musician, composer and arranger for commercial music and films. His playing has been featured on ‘Alfie’(2004) and ‘The Look of Love’ (2013) So far, he has performed with Eric Clapton, Mica Paris, Jools Holland, Paloma Faith, Neil Diamond, US3, Antonio Forcione, Omar, Hamish Stuart, Kyle Eastwood, Mike Nock, Liane Caroll, Dennis Rollins, Gwyneth Herbert, Rumer, Keith Tippett, Tony Hadley, Candi Staton, Ernesto Simpson, Dave O’higgins, Carleen Anderson, James Torme, Adrian Utley(Porteshead), The BLOCKHEADS, Tony Christie, John Etheridge, Soweto Kinch, Sharlene Hector, Joe Cang, Z Star, Gareth Williams, Will Vinson, Guy Barker, Natalie Williams, Mike Janisch, Laurence Cottle Big Band, Claire Martin, BBC Big Band, Jesse Van Ruller, Stan Tracey, Pete King, Darius Brubeck, Gerard Presencer, Mike Outram, Jim Mullen, Phil Robson, Ronnie Cuber, Lew Soloff, Mark Nightingale, Richie Cole, Reel People, Benjamin Herman, Nigel Hitchcock and others.

Alex Garnett biography

Alex Garnett has been one of the leading saxophonists in the UK and Mainland Europe for over two decades, being instantly recognised by his dark, husky sound. A versatile musician and first call sideman, he has enjoyed success as jazz artist, composer and arranger, and an in demand session, studio and commercial saxophonist, having racked up countless recording credits along the way.

A ubiquitous performer with many of Europe’s leading bands from underground to pop, he’s a regular sideman of choice for many visiting American artists when touring in Europe, and has performed in over 30 countries worldwide appearing at such venues as the Blue Note, Birdland, as well as the Perugia, North Sea, Vittoria, Montreax, and Oslo Jazz Festivals to name but a few, with varied and diverse artists across the spectrum such as Sir John Dankworth, Wynton Marsalis, Pete King, Humphrey Littleton, Scott Hamilton, Van Morrison, Evan Parker and The Rolling Stones, as well as with his contemporaries Gareth Lockrane, Seamus Blake, Phil Robson, Michael Janisch, Joel Frahm, and more.

Although Garnett has accumulated one of the most impressive biographies of any saxophonist in Europe of his generation, he did not release his own solo album until the age of 40 in September of 2011. Recorded in NYC at Systems Two Studios, Garnett’s debut album “Serpent” features drummer Willie Jones III, Anthony Wonsey on piano, and bassist Michael Janisch, while showcasing eight original compositions from the leader. The album proved to be one of the most anticipated debuts for years in the UK, winning universal acclaim by press, fans and musicians alike.

Mike Chillingworth biography

Mike Chillingworth is a London based saxophonist and clarinettist. Over the years he have been very fortunate to work with many fine musicians including Kit Downes, Jim Hart, Stan Sulzmann, Gareth Lockrane, James Maddren, Julian Siegel, John Taylor, Josh Arcoleo, Tom Challenger, Lewis Wright, Jon Scott, Sam Lasserson, Calum Gourlay, Tom Farmer, Josh Morrison, Ant Law and many others. Chillingworth appears on several records including “Richard Turner’s Round Trip” (on F-ire records) “Andrea DiBiase’s Oltremare Quartet” (on Babel) and the “Jack Davies Big Band.” He recently appeared on guitarist Ant Law’s album “Entanglement” and toured the UK in support of the album. Chillingworth also leads his own sextet playing his own original music.

When not performing Chillingworth teaches in several schools in London as well as privately.