The Quartet...

Amy Dickson - Soprano Saxophone

Naomi Sullivan - Alto Saxophone

Hayley Lambert - Tenor Saxophone

Toby Kelly - Baritone Saxophone

Founded in 2005, Zephirus combines exciting new interpretations of the best in Twentieth Century saxophone repertoire with up-to-the-minute, cutting edge new music.

The quartet had competition success on two separate occasions in 2007; they were the winners of the chamber music prize at the Royal Over-Seas League annual music competition and joint winners of the Tunnell Trust Award, which will lead to a tour of Scotland in 2009 - keep an eye on the Concerts page for upcoming dates.

On the 11th May 2007 Zephirus made their debut appearance at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and on the 7th April 2008 they made their debut at the Wigmore Hall. They attract a wide ranging audience, and have been thrilling those new to the classical saxophone through to aficionados.

Zephirus Saxophone Quartet at New Guesten Hall, Avoncroft

Review by John Gough, The Birmingham Post, May 2008

In existence for less than three years, the Zephirus Quartet already has a distinct musical personality.

This stunningly delivered concert of largely unfamiliar music was the best possible advert for the variety and seriousness of recent music for the saxophone.

Steve Reich's New York Counterpoint, heard here in a version for quartet and eight-part electronic tape, is an attractive, if lightweight piece with characteristic interlocking melodic patterns, its constant activity disguising the lack of real harmonic movement.

Glazunov's Quartet Op. 109, the most important saxophone quartet of the romantic period, is a late work, written in exile in Paris in 1932. Obviously the work of a master musician, this substantial piece was given a dazzling performance with the sort of spontaneous give and take only possible with virtuoso players who know the score intimately.

Electronics appeared again in Dutch composer Jacob ter Veldhuis's Pitch Black. A dramatic and affecting piece, it uses the voice of trumpet player Chet Baker, interviewed shortly before his tragic death, in which he talks about his musical life, his drug addiction, and a period in prison ("it was pitch black in there you know"). Spoken phrases are looped to provide recurring riffs which are expanded and commented on by the live ensemble before a magical fadeout of Baker playing My Funny Valentine.

An imaginative transcription by band member Hayley Lambert of Shostakovich's The Age of Gold featured exquisite legato playing in the melancholy Adagio before ending with the well-known perky and sardonic Polka.

If the Zephirus Quartet can withstand the strains put on it by leader Amy Dickson's burgeoning solo career then celebrity can only be around the corner, and they'll have composers queuing to write pieces for them.

You can find out more information about the quartet on the Biographies page, where you can also download our logo and photos.

Zephirus is also committed to education, and you can find more about our creative workshop packages, and saxophone days, open to all young saxophonists, either on this site or by contacting us directly.

This site is focused around the quartet's classical recital and education work. Please complete our Booking Enquiry Form if you are interested in finding out about hiring Zephirus for a corporate/private event.