ROB BUCKLAND is internationally acclaimed as one of the most distinctive, versatile and influential Saxophonists of his generation, regularly appearing as concerto and recital soloist, with his Equivox Trio, and with the Apollo Saxophone Quartet. He has commissioned and recorded music from many of today’s leading composers, featuring on his own solo CDs (‘Towards the Light’ 1998 and ‘Duality’ 2014), with the Equivox Trio (‘The Time is Now’ 2006), eight CDs with the Apollo Saxophone Quartet (of which he is a founder member, performing, recording and commissioning over 100 new works for the medium since the group inception in 1985) and a CD with the Apollo Saxophone Orchestra featuring the music of Barbara Thompson (2012). His recently released CD of Saxophone Concertos (‘Gameshow’ 2012) is receiving critical acclaim. He regularly performs and records with such diverse ensembles such as the Michael Nyman Band, Halle Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Concert Orchestra, Opera North and Northern Sinfonia. Uniquely in demand as both classical soloist and jazz artist, Rob also regularly works with Sax Assault, the John Wilson Orchestra, BBC Big Band, Royal Variety Performance Orchestra, Keith Nichol’s various early jazz projects, and can regularly be heard performing on many Film and TV soundtracks. Recent highlights include performing as concerto soloist with the RLPO, CBSO and the Orchestra of Opera North performing John Williams’ “Escapades” Concerto – taken from the soundtrack to the Dreamworks Film “Catch Me if You Can”, leading the saxophone section of the RLPO’s landmark performance with the Wayne Shorter Quartet in 2008, touring as the featured saxophone soloist with Elvis Costello’s orchestral project in 2009, a duo performance with jazz piano sensation Jason Rebello (Sting/Jeff Beck) and recently featuring as soloist in John Adam’s orchestral masterpiece City Noir with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra live on BBC Radio 3.
As a composer, Rob writes and arranges for both concert performance and film, TV and media, and has written a highly successful and popular ongoing series of original compositions many of which are now part of the Associated Board, Trinity and Guildhall Saxophone, Clarinet & Flute examination syllabuses. Alongside his busy performing schedule, Rob is Professor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he was awarded a Fellowship (2008) and was recently appointed Deputy Head of School of Wind, Brass & Percussion.
In recent years, Rob has expanded his work as record producer, recording and producing new CDs for groups as varied as Big Band, Saxophone Quartet, Harp Duo, Saxophone Orchestra and multimedia projects. He has written a major new Saxophone Method book ‘Playing The Saxophone’ outlining advanced technique and practice methods based on 15 years of teaching at the RNCM. He is also in demand as a creative record producer, working with a wide variety of musical ensembles releasing commercial CDs. He regularly gives masterclasses at conservatoires across Europe, directs several Saxophone Summer Schools and is frequently invited to present saxophone weekends and days throughout the UK and Europe. He is co-Artistic Director of the RNCM Saxophone Day, now the UK’s largest annual saxophone event and is a founding partner of Sospiro Records. Rob is a Henri Selmer Paris artist, endorsee for Vandoren Reeds, and is published by astute-music.com.