Richard Ingham

• Name — Richard Ingham • Born — 25 March 1954 • Instrument — Saxophone, piano, clarinet, bass clarinet, whistle, WX7 wind controller • Genre — jazz, classical, world • Occupation — Musician, composer • Label — Largo Music

A graduate of the University of York, his study period at Indiana University with Eugene Rousseau was a major influence on his career. After many years as Visiting Professor of Music at the University of St Andrews, he is now Fellow in New Music and Composer in Residence at the university. He was also Principal Guest Conductor of the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain in their tours of China and the Czech Republic, and is Principal Conductor of the Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra. His many compositions are frequently performed. Recent works include "Rhynie Man" for solo horn, "Nature Morte au Panier" for solo viola, "Night Invaded the Heavens" (after Ovid) for 15 violas, Robinson, in collaboration with Fife poet Brian Johnstone, for two narrators, two jazz soloists and jazz orchestra. His works for saxophone include "Through a Landscape" and "Walking the Cowgate" for quartet, "Double Concerto" for saxophone, accordion, strings and percussion, "From Pennan to Penang" for saxophone and accordion. As an educator, Richard was for some years saxophone consultant at the Royal Welsh College of Music in addition to his positions as Professor of Saxophone at both Royal Northern College of Music and Leeds College of Music. Notable past students include Simon Cosgrove, a finalist in the 2010 BBC Young Musician of the Year competition and Andy Goldsmith, saxophonist with RapsodieXarte, who has also performed with one of Richard’s accompanists, Alan Cuckston. In a recent tour of China and Japan, he gave a jazz workshop at Beijing's Pop Academy, and directed the celebrated 80-strong saxophone orchestra of Showa Academy. As an orchestral player he has worked with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Halle Orchestra, Opera North and the English Northern Philharmonia. He has also worked at the National Theatre, London, (on WX7 and saxophone) on several productions. Concerto performances have included works by Sally Beamish, Charlotte Harding and John Williams. He released two albums recently – Scenes From a Mountain for saxophone and piano, and From Pennan to Penang for saxophone and accordion. His new solo album, Notes From a Small Country, supported by Creative Scotland, features contemporary repertoire for soprano saxophone and wind synthesiser, including his own works, as well as others by Tom David Wilson, Sally Beamish, Ian Stewart, Charlotte Harding. He is the editor of the Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone (Cambridge University Press, 1999), published in English and Chinese. He is the President of the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain, a member of the Comité International du Saxophone, and a Yamaha artist. He has given recitals in Spain, Poland, Canada, Ireland, USA, India, Slovenia, Latvia and China. He has performed by invitation at every World Saxophone Congress since 1985, and has released several albums. Performances have included UK premieres of works by Ryo Noda, Erwin Schulhoff, Ramon Ricker and François Rossé. He is a member of Trio Verso, and was a member of the Northern Saxophone Quartet for 26 years. He has presented masterclasses in conservatoires in the UK and abroad, and in his capacity as a jazz educator gives many jazz workshops and lectures throughout the country events.

Richard runs many varied music groups across the UK, as listed below. • Trio Verso • Aberdeenshire Saxophone Orchestra • ReBirth of the Cool – Richard and his Organisation • Relentless Biscuit – Big Band. St. Andrews newest and tastiest band. • The Really Terrible Orchestra – Guest Conductor • Ensemble 2021 – Contemporary classical music at the University of St. Andrews • The Scorch Ensemble – 21st century sax ensemble • Duo: Richard Ingham (saxophone) and Mary McCarthy (accordion, piano) • Duo: Richard Ingham (saxophone) and Richard Michael (piano) • Duo: Richard Ingham (saxophone) and Alan Cuckston (piano)