Acclaimed and respected for his many saxophone performances and recitals, Jeffery Wilson is an established composer in both Classical and Jazz genres, inspiring numerous musicians of all ages. Now one of this country’s foremost composers and educators, he studied composition at the Royal College of Music with John Lambert and Herbert Howells, and later with Aladar Majorossy, Gordon Jacob and Olivier Messiaen. Until recently, he was visiting professor in composition, improvisation and saxophone at the Utrecht Conservatorium. He is professor at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s Junior School, supervisor on the music faculty of Cambridge University and advisor on matters of jazz and saxophone for Trinity Guildhall exams.

Jeffery introduced all his pieces today in an informative and delightfully relaxed manner, beginning with ‘Light of Sothis’ by Amy Quate (b. 1953), who composes in a variety of musical styles. Written in 1982 and depicting the brightest star in the sky (now called ‘Sirius’), the interpretation of the intended sacred illumination was conveyed sensitively through Jeffery’s warm woodwind tones on the alto saxophone.

We then heard ‘Of Spain’ on the tenor saxophone, by Colin Cowles (b. 1940), giving us changing emotions and rhythms, delivered in equal measures by saxophone and piano. We were also occasionally reminded, through melodic woodwind phrasing, of an art deco period.

Jeffery continued with ‘And everything is still’ on tenor saxophone by award-winning composer and saxophonist Andy Scott (b. 1966), commissioned by the Royal Northern College of Music and premiered in 2008 – a reflective piece with peaceful yet colourful tones and a lilting melody, over a steady piano beat.

We then heard the first of the two pieces written by Jeffery Wilson, played on the soprano saxophone. This was ‘Silver Sonatina’, composed for a couple’s silver wedding anniversary.

It is in three movements of varying styles: 1. Improvisation, lyrical and enigmatic. 2. Romanza, a fuller movement, using the sax’s mid-range. 3. Rondo, a presto in 6/8 including ¾ bars, with short passages moving into the altissimo range, and concluding a romantic musical journey. This was followed by a piece by the American composer Dave McGarry (Leeds Music College graduate), now a freelance pianist in demand for jazz events in the UK. On the alto saxophone, McGarry’s ‘Dreams of you’ was indeed dreamy, mesmerising and extremely comforting on this cool January day.