Iain Ballamy
Jazz
Iain Ballamy is an internationally recognised saxophonist and composer. He has been described variously as urbane, original, melodic, freethinking and uncompromising. Listed in the 大象传媒’s 100 Jazz Legends publication between Count Basie and Chet Baker, his work is contemporary with both strong jazz and classical references and yet remains un-encumbered by formality and tradition.
In 2007 Ballamy was the first Jazz musician to receive the prestigious Paul Hamlyn composer’s award and the 大象传媒 Jazz Award for Innovation in 2001. As a composer, Ballamy has written soundtracks for two movies directed by Dave McKean (Luna and Mirrormask) the latter produced and released worldwide by the Jim Henson Company. He has written works for the London Sinfonietta, Apollo Saxophone Quartet and Joanna Macgregor.
As a soloist Ballamy has performed Concerto for Stan Getz by Richard Rodney Bennett with the 大象传媒 Concert Orchestra and premiered Gary Carpenter’s Saxophone Concerto, SET on 大象传媒 Radio 3 with the 大象传媒 Philharmonic Orchestra in 2014.
Career highlights include playing with; Loose Tubes, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Hermeto Pascoal, Django Bates, Kenny Werner, Gil Evans, George Coleman, The Karnataka College of Percussion, John Taylor, Ian Shaw, Claire Martin, The Britten Sinfonia, Mike Gibbs, June Tabor, Carla Bley, John Dankworth, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
A respected educator, Ballamy is a visiting Professor at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and The Royal Academy of Music, who made him an Honorary Associate in 2014.
