Hi Alicia.  Thanks so much for taking time to chat to us following your concert with The Yugen Quartet at Fairfield High School, Peterchurch on 26th November 2024.  Firstly can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Thank you for giving Yugen the opportunity to perform for and work with students at Fairfield High School. It was incredibly rewarding to see how inspired the children were by hearing familiar music played on the saxophone.

I am an alumna of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where I completed my Bachelor of Music (with First Class Honours) and Master of Music (with Distinction) under the guidance of Naomi Sullivan, Kyle Horch, and Andy Tweed. During my studies, I also spent time in the Netherlands at Zwolle Conservatorium, learning from Johan van der Linden.

Now based in Birmingham, I work as a musician with two chamber groups: the Yugen Quartet and the Couple of Saxes Duo. It’s a privilege to collaborate with friends and share our passion for music.

What drew you to chamber music in the first place and the saxophone in particular?

I began playing the saxophone because my father played, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. He was my first teacher and instilled in me a love of chamber music and the idea that music is meant to be shared with others. Growing up, I played in community wind bands alongside my family, and music became a cherished bond that brought us closer together. Christmas carolling as a family became a tradition, and I still play alongside my parents in the Band of the West Midlands Fire Service.

My love for chamber music, particularly in the context of a saxophone quartet, was sparked by attending a performance by the Signum Quartet at Birmingham Town Hall. Witnessing how the four voices blended so beautifully and seeing the saxophone’s expressive capabilities inspired me to be part of a quartet. Yugen Quartet was born at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and our shared love for chamber music, combined with our camaraderie, has allowed us to continue creating music since our formation four years ago in 2020.

Who or what would you say has been the biggest influence on you as a musician/saxophonist?

My biggest influences are my family and colleagues. Coming from a musical family, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have their unwavering support. They’ve attended my performances from my first beginner duet with my twin sister to concerts abroad in the Netherlands and events at iconic venues like Birmingham Town Hall. Their encouragement has been instrumental in shaping my passion for music.

My Yugen Quartet friends, my partner Ewan, and my former tutors Naomi Sullivan and Kyle Horch have also had a profound impact. They continually challenge me, expand my perspectives, and inspire me to strive for excellence. Collaborating with such talented and supportive individuals hardly feels like work—it’s a true joy.

Could you tell us about the inspiration behind the Couple of Saxes Duo?

The Couple of Saxes Duo grew from both a personal and musical connection with my partner, Ewan. We share a deep love for the saxophone, and our duo allows us to explore that passion together while creating unique music.

Our goal is to expand the range of repertoire written for the saxophone duo, commissioning works by composers and writing music ourselves for the ensemble.

Recently, we’ve been fortunate to perform alongside Yugen Quartet at the European Saxophone Congress in Trento, Italy, where we premiered a program of commissioned works by composers like Jordan Reed, Marc Mellits, and myself. Our journey at the 3rd European Saxophone Congress is detailed in an upcoming feature for the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain magazine.

Is there one piece for saxophone that is a particular favourite, and if so, why?

One of my favourite pieces is Ciudades by Guillermo Lago. This six-movement work for saxophone quartet captures the essence of different cities around the world. Yugen has recorded two movements, Addis Ababa and Sarajevo, for our debut album Origins.

The piece challenges us technically and musically, requiring a deep understanding of our individual parts and the ensemble as a whole. It showcases the saxophone’s expressive range and allows each instrument to shine in its own way.

If you could take just one piece of music with you to a desert island, what would you take and why?

I’d choose Nina Simone’s I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free. The song’s poignant lyrics remain relevant, and its upbeat melody never fails to lift my spirits. It’s a timeless piece that resonates deeply with me.

 Some quick-fire questions:

• Tea or coffee?   Tea
• Beer or wine?   Wine
• Sweet or savoury?   Savoury
• Big night out or quiet night in?   A big night out
• Book or eBook?   Book
• Giving presents or receiving presents?   Giving presents

If you could travel back in time, what period would you go to? 

I’d travel to 1846 to meet Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. Witnessing the inception of his ground-breaking invention would be fascinating. I’d love to try one of his early instruments and offer him a few tips to avoid some of the near-death experiences he faced.