SaxoFest was always going to be a special occasion. Not only was it a celebration of everything saxophone, but it also marked the 10th anniversary of Sax Bandits. What started as an idea to bring saxophonists together to play for fun has grown into a thriving family of musicians of all ages and abilities. After experiencing SaxoFest first-hand, it’s easy to understand why so many people feel such a strong connection to it.
For me, SaxoFest was very much a family day out. My wife, two daughters. and grandson joined me, with three of them travelling all the way from Belfast especially for the occasion. We arrived just after 11.30am and didn’t leave until after 11pm, and from start to finish the day was packed with music, food, masterclasses, exhibitions, and plenty of opportunities to catch up with friends old and new.
Preparing for the Performance
Although the performance itself lasted around 30 minutes, the journey really started six months earlier. When the set list first landed, I’ll admit there were a few arrangements that made me wonder whether I’d ever be able to play them confidently. Like many of us, there were sections that needed slowing down, practising repeatedly, and then refining in band sessions until they finally clicked.
All those evenings of practice made stepping onto the stage feel even more rewarding.
As the afternoon unfolded, more and more people wearing white SaxoFest T-shirts began arriving. Everywhere you looked there were saxophone cases, music stands, and friends greeting one another. Seeing my fellow band members from the North Surrey and South Buckinghamshire bands made the occasion feel even more special, but it was only as we assembled around our section captains that the scale of what we were about to do really hit home.
After checking our sheet music was in order and having a quick tune-up, we made our way towards the Odisei Stage. Walking into the performance area with more than 160 saxophonists – the largest Sax Bandits ensemble to date – is a moment I’ll never forget.
Behind us were more than ten baritone saxophones, including the magnificent contrabass saxophone that had been attracting so much attention in the exhibition hall earlier in the day.
Standing proudly on his purpose-built conductor’s podium was our band leader, Rob Digweed, wearing his fantastic custom-made Bandit jacket embroidered with a saxophone across the back. It somehow summed up everything that Sax Bandits has become over the last ten years – unique, welcoming, and full of personality.
We were joined by a superb rhythm section, consisting of George Munt on drums and Rory Geisow on bass, whose playing provided the rock-solid foundation for such a huge ensemble.
With a band of this size, trust becomes everything. Once the music starts there simply isn’t time to second guess yourself. You trust the months of preparation, you trust the musicians around you, and above all you trust your band leader. Rob’s conducting was calm, clear and full of energy, giving every section the confidence to relax, enjoy the music and perform as one collective.
Then, Rob counted us in…
The Performance
We opened with the KC and the Sunshine Band Medley, which immediately settled any lingering nerves. The familiar grooves made it impossible not to tap your foot. Reach by S Club 7 lifted the energy even higher and perfectly captured the spirit of the day. Looking out into the audience, I could see people smiling, singing along, and enjoying every moment just as much as we were.
The Bad Manners Medley was enormous fun to play, especially as my section had the lead melody – no pressure! The ska rhythms were infectious and you could sense the audience wanting to get up and dance.
Then came the AC/DC Medley, probably the arrangement that had challenged me the most during band sessions. When I first saw it, I genuinely wondered how I was ever going to play it confidently. Six months later, standing on stage performing it with over 160 fellow saxophonists, it had become one of my favourite moments of the entire set and proved just how incredibly versatile the saxophone can be.
The weather kept us guessing. Throughout the performance dark clouds gathered overhead and there were more than a few nervous glances towards the sky, but somehow the rain held off just long enough for us to perform.
We finished with The Best by Tina Turner, which felt like the perfect way to close both our performance and celebrate ten years of Sax Bandits. Welcoming Lucy Forrest to the stage on vocals was a wonderful surprise for us all and she absolutely smashed it.
Then Lynden Blades stepped forward to deliver a superb saxophone solo that sent a real shiver down my spine. It was one of those magical moments where everyone on stage knew we were part of something very special.
Throughout the set I caught sight of my wife, daughters and grandson in the audience several times. Seeing just how much they were enjoying it made the experience even more meaningful. Before I knew it, the final notes were ringing out, the applause began and it was over.
Six months of rehearsals for thirty minutes on stage and I’d happily do it all again tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
Standing in the middle of a band of that size, surrounded by the sound of saxophone, was simply exhilarating. Although it’s impossible to hear the whole picture when you’re part of the ensemble, you can feel it. The rhythm section driving the music, the harmonies from every section around you, and the energy coming back from the audience created an atmosphere unlike anything I’ve experienced before.
As the applause eventually died away and we stood together after the performance, I found myself reflecting on what Sax Bandits has achieved over the last ten years. Watching Rob acknowledge the audience, surrounded by a sea of musicians whose lives he has touched, felt like a thoroughly deserved moment of recognition. His passion, enthusiasm and commitment have created far more than a band; they’ve built a community where people gain confidence, form friendships and experience opportunities that many of us would never have imagined possible.
SaxoFest wasn’t just a celebration of ten years of Sax Bandits. It celebrated friendships, confidence, opportunities and a shared love of making music together. I’m incredibly proud to be a small part of that story and grateful to celebrate such an important milestone on stage with my fellow bandits. It’s an experience I’ll remember for many years to come.
If this year’s event is anything to go by, I have no doubt that the next chapter for Sax Bandits will be every bit as exciting as the first.
Photography by Scott Chalmers
The Celebration Continues
The celebrations didn’t end with Sax Bandits performance. After packing away the saxophone and grabbing another excellent meal, it was time to enjoy an outstanding evening of music, including Hannah Horton, Redtenbacher’s Funkestra, and the Snake Davis Band, which further showcased the versatility and quality of the saxophone across a wide range of musical styles.
Read more about the evening at SaxoFest
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