“Princes of the Horn in thunderous form….the bravado of this band is breathtaking”
The Sunday Times
Sax Appeal, the award-winning band formed and led by saxophonist Derek Nash, are on their way to celebrating 50 years of performances.
Its line-up of five saxophonists and a world-class rhythm section perform the compositions and arrangements of Derek Nash and feature a multitude of saxophone styles, driving swing, Blue Note stylings, Ellingtonian sweetness, pure danceable Latin, Brecker Brothers style fusion and biting Sanborn influenced funk.
The line-up features leading UK saxophonists Gary Plumley, Bob McKay, Vasilis Xenopoulos, Matt Wates alongside a rhythm section of Phil Scragg (bass), Mike Bradley (drums) and Graham Harvey (keys).
Awards include the National Festival of Music for Youth (small band category), the John Dankworth Award and the British Jazz Award (small group) in the British Jazz Awards.
Festival appearances include Brecon, Cork and Marciac and they also undertook a British Council tour of Venezuela. They have also recorded seven CDs - Flat Out, Let's Go, Outside, Take No Prisoners, The Flatiron Suite, Funkerdeen and Big Bad Trouble.
Leader Derek Nash is a multi-award winning musician in his own right. He has been a member of the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra since 2004, is a member of the Ronnie Scott's Blues Explosion and “The Wonder of Stevie” with vocalist Noel McCall. His own Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet won Best CD in the British Jazz Awards in 2012 for Joyriding.
