Summary: Sue is a D’Addario Woodwinds Artist and a Claude Lakey Endorsee. She was the Assistant Director of the 16th World Saxophone Congress, 2012 and as one of Scotland’s leading contemporary saxophonists she has given UK and Scottish premieres of many new works. She is one half of the McKenzie Sawers Duo who recently released their first CD, “The Coral Sea”, with Delphian Records. Sue is also the leader and founder of the Scottish Saxophone Ensemble who were part of the Made in Scotland Music Showcase, 2013 and the Director of the Scottish Saxophone Academy. She regularly performs with Salsa Celtica and the Glasgow Improvisor’s Orchestra and recently performed with her own band, “Dark Grooves” at the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 2013. She was chosen as part of Serious Music’s talent development programme, Air Time, in 2014. Sue also plays in Syntonic with bass player Emma Smith and runs Bitches Brew which promotes female improvising talent.<br> <br> Show Notes: Wanting a saxophone but getting a flute. My first teacher, Mickey Deans. Practising the night before a lesson. Developing a love of sound with teacher Kyle Horch. Lessons can be both positive and negative experiences. Students are often neglecting improvisation. Practising can be chaos. Developing efficiency in practise. Teaching students how to practise. Being told to sound like myself and no-one else. Developing the Scottish Saxophone Ensemble. Taking music to the remote parts of my country. Finding your own voice and acting on it. Developing a distinctive sound to be memorable. Adapting to and managing injuries. The importance of stretching before playing. Organising a World Saxophone Congress. Releasing new albums. Working with composers, including John Harris. Finding more time in a day.
