SONORITÉ SAXOPHONE QUARTET
Based in London, Sonorité Saxophone Quartet are a vibrant and versatile ensemble known for their warm sound, inventive programming, and engaging performances. Formed through close friendship, the quartet share a passion for chamber music that shines through both on stage and in recordings.
Each December, Sonorité can be found performing their much-loved series of Christmas concerts across Hertfordshire and North London – festive, family-oriented events filled with laughter, storytelling, and community spirit. Their debut album, Noël, set for release later this year, captures the heart of those concerts, bringing together familiar favourites, new arrangements, and original works that celebrate the joy and quiet reflection of the season.
Beyond their Christmas performances, Sonorité Quartet are dedicated to expanding the saxophone’s place within classical music, performing repertoire that ranges from Minimalism and contemporary works to musical theatre and jazz-inspired pieces. They have commissioned new music from young and underrepresented composers, including Charlotte Botterill and Olivia Murphy, and continue to champion fresh voices within the chamber music world.
Together, Jenny Akroyd, Kathryn McGuinness, Nathan Harding, and Daniel Ephgrave bring a wealth of performing experience from orchestral, theatrical, and solo settings – combining artistry and approachability in equal measure to make classical saxophone music accessible and inspiring for audiences of all ages.
MEET THE QUARTET
Our members have a wide range of musical experience from being award-winning soloists to composing and arranging music. All four members of the quartet are also able to play flute and clarinet too!
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Soprano SaxophoneJenny is a saxophonist, teacher and creative arts practitioner based in Hertfordshire. She studied at the University of Birmingham and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Her recordings have been featured on BBC Radio, and she has performed as a soloist with both the University of Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra and Guildhall’s Ubu Ensemble. She spends much of her time working in hospitals, nurseries and schools; teaching, performing and leading creative workshops that inspire play, imagination, and connection. Jenny is also a Resident Artist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, where she brings live music and interactive arts activities to young patients and their families.
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Tenor SaxophoneNathan is a saxophonist and woodwind doubler based in North London. Since studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Christian Forshaw and John Harle he has gone on to be a keen pit musician and teacher; performing at and working with venues both on and off the West End, various UK Arenas, Barbican, and the BBC. Nathan is a huge fan of chamber music, having a particular interest in Minimalism (and can often be heard persuading the other members of the quartet to include it in the programme!)
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Alto SaxophoneKathryn McGuinness is a London-based saxophonist and woodwind doubler who has played in London’s West End, on numerous professional UK tours, with a number of professional orchestras, and recorded with the Delta Saxophone Quartet. Kathryn is a highly versatile reed doubler specialising in saxophone and clarinet, and has studied with some of the UK’s leading saxophonists, including Christian Forshaw, Naomi Sullivan and John Harle.
Kathryn’s work as a saxophonist in orchestras includes performing with the London Mozart Players and the London Concert Orchestra, performing in venues such as the Birmingham Symphony Hall and Barbican Concert Hall. As a soloist, Kathryn has also won competitions and competed internationally.
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Baritone Saxophone
Daniel is a London-based reed player and freelance musician, performing extensively across musical theatre, orchestral, and chamber settings. A versatile multi-instrumentalist, he specialises in flute and saxophone, and has played in numerous West End and touring productions. Recent credits include The Producers (Garrick Theatre), Here We Are (National Theatre), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour), Brigadoon (Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Old Friends (Gielgud Theatre), and Spirited Away (London Coliseum).
As a dedicated chamber musician, Daniel is a member of the Sonorité Saxophone Quartet, Trio Celadon (Flute, Saxophone and Piano) and regularly performs in a flute and harp duo with Valeria Clarke. He has appeared in recitals at venues across the UK and played with some of the UKs leading orchestras include City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of the Swan, and Philharmonia.
J.Haydn: String Quartet Op.64/no.6
Recorded at St John’s Church, Harpenden, UK in June 2023