Saxophone quartet push boundaries
JOBURG – Catch SAXIT!, saxophone quartet, in Johannesburg this month.
In association with Concerts SA, the unique, multi-genre saxophone quartet SAXIT! is embarking on their first nationwide tour in the form of music education workshops and live performances in Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Durban and Johannesburg.
The unique and exciting band is made up by Joel Benjamin, Jade de Waal, Simon Bates, and Gareth Harvey.
The quartet is set to perform at the Joy of Jazz festival in Johannesburg – as special guests of McCoy Mrubata, on 16 September.
Since 2012, SAXIT! has been developing their vibrant and diverse sound, and pushing the boundaries of the saxophone ensemble, performing a multitude of musical styles without a rhythm section.
The band has performed at notable festivals such as the National Arts Festival, Infecting the City Public Arts Festival, as well as at the Oude Libertas Summer Concert Series in Stellenbosch.
Asked about the role of live performance, Harvey said, “Music to most people runs close their hearts and one of the main things SAXIT! would like people to feel is, firstly, being present in the experience and not distracted by the material world. Secondly, to simply enjoy themselves.”Then, our workshops aim at empowering music students with skills in developing their own careers and mastering their instruments.”
SAXIT! has also been a part of an animated short film project titled Heart and in 2015 released their debut self-titled EP.
Music journalist Gwen Ansell noted, “It’s an engaging and genuinely enjoyable debut, and definitely worth your ears. The voice and texture of each reed sings through clear and beautiful. The playing is impressive – precise without being pedantic; empathetic, and infused with the undisguised joy of the players, with intelligent solos from everybody. Harvey creates good material. There are more catchy hooks than you might expect to find in saxophone quartet territory, and some melodies that pack a real emotional punch. It has taken hard work to sound as good as SAXIT! does.”
SAXIT! quartet’s tour is supported by the Music Mobility Fund, a funding mechanism administered by Concerts SA which offers opportunities for South African musicians to undertake live music tours.
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