Projects

Dave Stapleton Orchestra

The 7th September sees the formation of the DSQ Orchestra, a 17 piece big band, with the core of the orchestra based around the quintet. The more DSQ has played as a group, the more I keep hearing greater potential within this music and so this orchestra is a natural progression for DSQ and the music.

All music will be taken from DSQ's debut and forthcoming albums, but taking on new twists and counter melodies. Each part is based around one improviser and one reader, except for the strings, which will be entirely, notated. DSQ orchestra is:

Trumpet 1: Jonny Bruce
Trumpet 2: Will Russell
Alto Sax 1: Kevin Figes
Alto Sax 2: Joel Garthwaite
Tenor Sax 1: Ben Waghorn
Tenor Sax 2: Lewis Evans
Trombone 1: Deri Roberts
Trombone 2: Will Hall
Bass Clarinet: Tom Jackson
Flute: Jane South
Violin: Victoria Wright
Viola: Becky Ayres
Cello: Sarah Stevens
Piano: Dave Stapleton
Double Bass: Paula Gardiner
Drums: Elliot Bennett
Percussion: Richard Ashton

Lunar Saxophone Quartet

The Lunar Saxophone Quartet are matching their contemporary image with contemporary ideas. Using previously unexplored formats of instrumentation, and a unique fusion of compositional styles throughout performances, the ensemble are setting out to make ‘new music’ more accessible to audiences.

The quartet’s devotion to their profession, based on their training at renowned UK conservatoires, is reflected in the emphasis placed on quality in their work. The strong ‘new music’ policy adopted over the last 5 years has been the foundation of the group’s identity with composers including Eric Schwartz, Iain Ballamy, Gabriel Jackson and Dave Stapleton all being commissioned to write works for the ensemble.
Described as ‘one of the most exciting saxophone groups to emerge for many years’ (Richard Ingham - Cambridge Companion to the Saxophone), the LSQ are exploring the technical limits of the saxophone and its role in the chamber genre.

Summer 2007 saw the LSQ's first British tour being launched. Entitled 'FLUX', the tour explored the new format of Saxophone Quartet and Piano. Featuring the amazing 50 minute suite 'Just Around The Next Corner' by Dave Stapleton, the programme of entirely new commissions was a huge success. Stemming from the tour, 2 albums, FLUX and Just Around The Next Corner are being recorded for release in Spring 2008 along with a major European tour to promote the releases.

For more information visit www.lunarsax.co.uk

 

Dave Danford Duo

With Dave Danford, Joel has developed a set of original repertoire for saxophone and percussion by living composers. The Duo performs regularly throughout the UK and has a strong workshop based education programme. More details to follow.

Staunch Music

Joel Garthwaite founded StaunchMusic in August 2007 to allow the Lunar Saxophone Quartet to publish, record and release their commissions without the confines and pressures of larger record labels. StaunchMusic allows the LSQ to have complete control over their music whilst acting as a vehicle to promote and publicise other artists and composers associated with the group.

The ethos of StaunchMusic is strongly based on delivering high quality products to our customers and making contemporary music more accessible to British audiences.

Sound Affairs

As saxophonist for Charlie Barbers ‘Sound Affairs’, Joel performs with the groups Ludwig and Entr’acte.

Ludwig With music inspired by Beethoven’s ‘apotheosis of the dance’ – his much loved 7th Symphony – this electrifying audio-visual experience presents twelve musicians playing live music created by some of the most exciting composers working today: Graham Fitkin, Robert Moran and Orlando Gough as well as John Corigliano’s Fantasia on an Ostinato. Further highlights include Beethoven’s work for glass harmonica performed on video alongside a new set of variations by Charlie Barber, a rare screening of Ludwig Van, Mauricio Kagel’s surreal film fantasy made in 1970, plus new video art from Widelode.

Entr'acte Entr'acte is a quintet of saxophone and string quartet, formed in 1999 with musicians who regularly perform with Charlie Barber. The quintet has made four tours: East of West (autumn 1999) a programme of British and eastern European music; Ritmo Latino (spring 2001) featuring music from South America; and The Fall of the House of Usher (spring 2002) which featured Jean Epstein's classic of early silent cinema with new music composed by Charlie Barber performed live and Organum (spring 2003).

In August 2001 they were invited to perform at the Tapestry Arts Festival in San Jose, California, where they were invited to play by, as representatives for the National Assembly for Wales to highlight contemporary music in Wales.