Dr Sax

Biography

Sydney saxophonist, clarinettist and composer Dr Sax showed a keen interest in music from an early age. Originally from Wollongong, NSW, he was influenced by his mother (an accomplished classical pianist and guitarist) and father (a university lecturer and an avid music fan with a vast knowledge of opera and classical music) to take up clarinet at age 7. Dr Sax’s first teacher, Roweena Harris instilled in him the importance of a good tone and a disciplined approach to music and in nine years of lessons David learnt an extensive repertoire of classical clarinet music from Mozart, Brahms and Weber, achieved a pass with honors in 8^th grade AMEB and competed successfully in many regional eisteddfods. During this time David also successfully auditioned for the Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts and whilst there met another great influence in American jazz trumpeter and educator, Eric Dunan.

It was under Dunan’s influence that Dr Sax developed a profound interest jazz. On Dunan’s advice, David took up saxophone to play in the Wollongong Conservatorium Jazz Orchestra and he soon took over the lead tenor chair. In 2007, David successfully auditioned for the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music Jazz Program and graduated in 2011 having studied, performed and played with a litany of renowned Australian jazz legends such as Judy Bailey, David Theak, Mike Nock and Phil Slater.

Since then, David has gone on to establish himself as somewhat of a musical chameleon, regularly playing, performing and recording with a many and varied array of groups from such diverse genres as Neo-Soul (Baldwins, MMG) to Afro-Funk (Lyre Byrdland, The Liberators) to Big Band Jazz (Divergence Jazz Orchestra). His big sound and a youthful creativity allows him to seamlessly fit into any setting and as such has become one of the most in-demand tenor saxophonists on the Sydney music scene performing with James Morrison, Bobby Shew (USA), Roger Manins (NZ), Miroslav Bukowsky and Pearl Noire (UK) to name a few.