Saxophone album launch concert a roaring success

Renowned local saxophone and piano duo, Samuel Beddard and Jo Foote, launched their debut album ‘What Shapes A Soul’ at St Andrew’s Church, Rugby on Saturday, October 24, in a special one-off concert that featured a diverse range of music played on six different types of saxophone.

Deputy Mayor Neil Sanderson praised the duo, and expressed his delight at being invited, noting "how incredible it was to have an album launch and a world premiere of a new piece of music here in Rugby”. Other audience members hailed the concert as “wonderfully superb” and lauded the duo as “remarkable musicians”.

The concert featured music from the album alongside new music from the duo’s upcoming tour ‘TAPESTRY’.

The evening concluded with a brand-new piece written especially for the occasion by arranger–educator Sarah Spurr – an Italian song by Barbara Strozzi in a rendition inspired by international saxophone soloist Jess Gillam, who has personally voiced her support for the duo’s new album.

The music was interspersed with interviews with Samuel and Jo, led by local actor and musician Mairead O’Kelly, and set to the backdrop of Angela Foote’s stunning artwork, commissioned by the duo for the album.

The album launch was the culmination of a UK tour which saw saxophonist Samuel Beddard and pianist Jo Foote playing at more than 20 venues, including four in Rugby and the surrounding villages. ‘What Shapes a Soul’ takes audiences on a grand adventure through spiritual music – from gospel to African folk, via hymns, soul, African spirituals, classical, jazz, and blues. The album was recorded live at Hammerwood Park in June to an exclusive sellout audience, utilising uniquely tuned unequally-tempered pianos and vintage analogue recording techniques.

Hailed as a “tour de force of saxophone playing” and praised for “tone like that of a songbird”, international saxophone soloist, composer and educator Samuel Beddard has been a regular on the Rugby concert scene for many years. He’s made appearances with the Rugby Music Union as part of their recital series, played numerous Tuesday Lunchtime Concerts at St Andrew’s, premiered a brand-new saxophone concerto this summer with Rugby Recorder Orchestra, and most recently joined the Combined Community Choirs of Rugby for “A Second Season to Sing” as saxophone soloist and organist.

‘What Shapes A Soul?’ is available to purchase both digitally and as a double-CD from Bandcamp at samuelbeddard.bandcamp.com/album/what-shapes-a-soul

For more information, please visit samuelbeddard.co.uk