.Second City Sax started in 2009. Over the years we have had several changes of personnel, all of whom have contributed to its development & success! We have recently said goodbye to Mary Armitage, Chris Hill and Sam Pollacco, who have been replaced by Emily Sambidge, Andrej Fjelstad and Reuben Selby.
Jonathan Middle
Jonathan has been playing music for over 65 years, starting on piano in his youth (reaching Grade VIII), branching out into electric guitar in his teens, and taking up saxophone in 1992. Since coming to Birmingham in 1997, Jonathan has studied jazz saxophone with Colin Crabb who helped him to achieve distinction in Grade VIII in 2007 and an ALCM Diploma in 2013. Jonathan also plays flute in the Birmingham Flute Choir, as well as keyboards in Chick Wren's Rollin' River Band..
Andrej Fjelstad
Andrey is a Norwegian saxophonist and has been playing since he was 8 years old. He started out in wind bands and is now in his third year of studying saxophone at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Andrey usually plays Alto and Soprano but does all of the other saxophones too. When it comes to repertoire he mainly focuses on modern classical music as well as doing jazz and playing in Joe Broughton's Conservatoire Folk Ensemble. He loves playing both solo and in ensembles, but saxophone quartets are the cherry on top for him.
Reuben Selby
Reuben Selby is a young eclectic musician from Norwich. He has played saxophone from age 10 and has gained experience playing with big bands, orchestra, saxophone quartets and session work. Reuben is currently studying saxophone at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and beginning work in music production.
Emily Sambidge
Emily began playing the alto saxophone at the age of 14, and has been playing in orchestras ever since. While studying Genetics at the University of Birmingham, she played with the University Saxophone Choir and Wind Band.
Emily loves listening to both classical and jazz music, and since moving to Birmingham has loved taking advantage of the endless concerts available .
Since graduating, she is enjoying the new challenge of playing the baritone saxophone, and has loved trying out a variety of repertoire with the Quartet.
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