Alex Holmes – Soprano Saxophone

Alex teaches sax, clarinet and flute both privately and in two independent schools local to her. She and Anna were the originalfounders of the quartet, becoming friends when they found themselves teaching at the same Bradford school. Alex graduated from Leeds College of Music 10 years ago and has since completed a PGCT in Secondary Music at Leeds University. Alex has extensive performing experience having played in sax quartets and ensembles, wind orchestras, dance bands, big bands, jazz outfits, rock bands and for operatic societies. Her main commitments at present are to Sax Factor and the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain. The latter enabling her to perform with Gerard McCrystal, Sarah Markham, Snake Davies, Alistair Purnell, The Northern Sax Quartet and other notable performers.

Katie Needham – Alto Saxophone

Katie started learning the Clarinet aged 9 but was lured by the sound of the Saxophone in her early teens after listening to 60’s soul and the traditional big bands of the 1940’s. She decided to make music her career after being inspired and encouraged by her music teacher at school. Since completing a degree in music she has gone on to qualify as a secondary music teacher and has taught in the UK and New Zealand.

Whilst living in NZ Katie took part in the prestigious Nelson Jazz Festival with her jazz group Freewheelin’ and set up a jazz trio who performed locally. During her time there she performed in the Wellington Symphony Orchestra with NZ’s much loved Sir Howard Morrison.

Since returning to the UK Katie is pleased to be a part of Sax Factor and spends the rest of her time teaching both in schools and privately and playing in numerous bands in the area. She has recently gained her ALCM Jazz Performance certificate.

Anna Brown – Tenor Saxophone

Anna has been working as a peripatetic tutor for saxophone since finishing her music degree in 2001. She currently teaches at Bradford Grammar School and Dixons Academy where she was once a pupil. Alongside a busy teaching schedule Anna performs regularly with soul band AC and the Funtime Band and the jazz funk outfit Funk Lockers, performing in popular Leeds venues the Wardrobe and Hi-Fi Club. As a former member of the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain, Anna has traveled and played in prestigious venues and worked with renowned names such as Andy Scott, Gerard McCrystal, Otis Murphy, Nigel Wood and the late Sir John Dankworth.

Kim began learning the saxophone at age 11. She completed her music degree and has since been a professional musician, teaching and gigging for over 10 years. During this time Kim has covered most styles of music, in theatre pits, on the stage and in the recording studio. Kim has toured the UK theatre circuit with Juke Box Jive and played at some of the most prestigious music festivals in the UK. She has had the pleasure of supporting Roy Ayres and Jools Holland with New Orleans Funk & Soul band, Loop Garou and performed with Denise Nolan’s Judy Garland show in Spain. After spending 4 years in Weymouth, Dorset and 3 years teaching and performing in Spain, Kim has recently moved to Sheffield. There she is establishing herself as a sought after performer and tutor. Kim teaches privately and in schools for the Sheffield Music Service and regularly performs with The Dale Storr Band, Keith Peters Big Band, and ska band Jungle Lion.