The Saffron Beagley Jazz Orchestra
From the age of 8, Saffron Beagley studied piano with Margaret Merrington for ten years learning Suzuki Method, an inspiring musical approach that focuses on aural skills. She was introduced to the saxophone by her uncle, Tony Beagley, and became increasingly passionate about jazz music. Saffron joined a big band and at 15 years wrote her first composition for the ensemble.
Immersing
herself in jazz, she studied saxophone improvisation with Io Pugh, and
composed for and conducted the Exeter College Big Band. Saffron went
on to study at Leeds College of Music where she was made lead alto saxophonist
of the Duke Ellington Repertory Orchestra with which she performed at
Ronnie Scott’s in London. Saffron continued to write for and conduct
Big Bands and received BA (hons) in Jazz, at Leeds College of Music.
Saffron’s work is deeply influenced by Gil Evans, Maria Schneider
and Kenny Wheeler. Saffron now writes for seventeen outstanding Leeds-area
musicians that make up her Saffron Beagley Jazz Orchestra. Her compositions
have a sense of journeying and move through a series of diverse emotions.
The first CD recording of her music is available
here.
Latest CD for Sale
The
Saffron Beagley Jazz Orchestra - "Awakening"
£6 (plus £1.25 post & packing)
Tracks
1) The Story of Nayantropolico. Listen
to clip
2) Warmal Globing. Listen to
clip
"Saffron Beagley’s debut album, quite frankly, is incredible.
It is like a breath of fresh spring air after a cold dark winter. Beagley’s
compositions are moving, joyful and exciting. Her natural flair at
composing for jazz orchestra is glowingly evident. She handles the
orchestra with a fantastic maturity, her sense of arranging is second
to none, and can only be paralleled with the likes of Gil Evans and
Maria Schneider. I cannot stop listening to this recording and
wait excitedly for a live performance!" - Robin Mitchell
See Saffron Beagley in Live Performance
Saffron Beagley will be debuting two inspirational jazz projects at an exciting event at The Wardrobe, Leeds on Wednesday 31st May 2006.
Doors open at 8pm, price £5.
The evening showcase begins with her eight piece Silhouette Ensemble and Armchair Puppet Theatre collaboration. This delicate interface of cross cultural music, voice and shadow, animates ‘The Blue Bird’, an enchanting story by Maurice Maeterlinck.
The second set features the powerful, densely textured sounds of The Saffron Beagley Jazz Orchestra. Graceful, sometimes raucous and always adventurous, Beagley’s innovative compositions are written for her seventeen outstanding Leeds area musicians. The Saffron Beagley Jazz Orchestra's repertoire will also include pieces by Maria Schneider and Kenny Wheeler.
Photo of Saffron on this page courtesy of Dave Walker (Allbrass and Woodwind)