Saxophonist

Dave: The Sax

Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
(5.0)Read all 14 reviews
Watch
Booking protection
Secure online payments
Free 48hr cancellations
Support available Mon-Sun
Like Dave:?
Watch & Listen
Watch
Listen
Dave: in action

About Dave:

The most versatile saxophonist you can book. Jazz, Pop, Classical, Electronic/Ibiza. Weddings, dinners, parties and conferences.
Saxophonist
King's Lynn
Public liability insurance of £1 million

I'm a vastly experienced saxophonist who has over 40 years of professional experience. I LOVE performing and audiences love watching and listening too. When I perform as a solo saxophonist, I play to high quality (not midi) backing tracks. I am passionate about performing music. Because I have a wide set of skills, as well as solo gigs and bookings through this agency, I play with Ska, Tribute, Soul/Motown, Jazz combos of 2, 3 or 6 players, Big Bands and even a German Oompah band (on clarinet). I LOVE it! The sign of a happy bandleader/customer is one who books you again. I'm delighted to say that I enjoy repeat bookings all the time. I learned my trade during my 24 years as an Army musician. By the time I returned to civilian life I had gained a good reputation for being a great reader and a tidy jazz improviser. I had even managed to fit in a Licentiate Diploma for classical saxophone playing. I have enjoyed playing with so many fine musicians. Being able to perform music in a wide variety of styles is a fabulous gift. It brings with it opportunities that many don't get. I've played to royalty, schoolchildren, wedding couples, couples getting engaged, party revelers, car admirers, gathering delegates, and everything in between. I've also had the pleasure to perform with some high profile celebrities including the world-famous Four Tops, twice! The first time in Malaga in 1988 and then again in Peterborough (yes really) in 2019. (photographic and video evidence available on request). I've also shared the stage with the likes of Michael Ball, Canon and Ball, Dame Vera Lynn, and many more. I really hope that I can bring some of this experience through my playing for your event. You will not be disappointed.

Encore badges
Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
10 gigs
Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years
Member of the Encore community forum
Musicianship
Genres:
Jazz, Classical, Folk, Pop, Rock, Electronic, Blues, Latin jazz, Modern jazz, Dixieland, Swing, Classical crossover, Film / TV music, Contemporary classical, Musical theatre, Fanfare, Jazz fusion
See all genres
Instruments:
See all instruments
Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Arranger, Composer, Transcription, Orchestrator, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Composition teaching, Fluent sight-reader, MC, Repetiteur
See all skills

Dave:'s Song list

JAZZ: - Set 1....
Ain't misbehavin'.
My Funny Valentine
I Got Rhythm
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
It's Alright With Me
A Foggy Day
Have You Met Miss Jones
But Not For Me
My Ship
Thou Swell
All The things You Are
Embraceable You
Just In Time
I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
Fascinating Rhythm
Summertime
JAZZ:- Set 2.... Sweet Georgia Brown
Over The Rainbow
I've Got A Crush On You
Bye Bye Blackbird
'S Wonderful
As Time Goes By
How Long Has This Been Going On?
The Days Of Wine And Roses
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Emily
The Way You Look Tonight
Misty
On Green Dolphin Street
Someone To Watch Over Me
Almost Like Being In Love
Strike Up The Band
Set 3/additional Numbers;
I've Got You Under My Skin
All I Do Is Dream Of You
Don't Get Around Much Any More
All Blues
Georgia On My Mind
A Slow Boat To China
Here's That Rainy Day Again
Mr PC
The Nearness Of You
Nostalgia In Times Square.
All Blues
All The Things You Are
Corcovado
In Walked Bud
In A Sentimental Mood
Lullaby Of Birdland
My Favourite Things
Oleo
The Sidewinder
Hello Dolly
Love For Sale
Autumn Leaves
Hit The Road, Jack
Fly Me To The Moon
Blue Trane
Caravan
What A Wonderful World
Take 5
Petit Fleur
Georgia On My Mind
St Louis Blues
Feeling Good (Buble)
All Of Me (NOT legend)
Sing, Sing, Sing
Ain't No Sunshine
Blue Monk
Wave
New York, New York
There Will Never Be Another you
St James Infirmary Blues
On Green Dolphin Street
Django
Black Orpheus
In A Sentimental Mood
Waltz For Debbie
Stardust
La Rosita
POP and ROCK - (Not in order, just what is available)
All My Loving
Baker Steet
Can't Buy Me Love
Careless Whisper
Chantilly Lace
Desperado
Donna
For All We Know
Kiss Me Honey Honey
Love Me Tender
Lovely Day
Moon River
One Step Beyond
Only The Lonely
Raining In My Heart
Somewhere
Stand By Me
Sway
The Air That I Breathe
The House Of The Rising Sun
The Young Ones
Twist and Shout
When Sunny Get's Blue
Dance Monkey
Rock Around The Clock
Chasing Pavements
Wonderwall
Careless Whisper
You've Got A Friend
Three Little Birds
Purple Rain
Perfect
The Final Countdown
Wonderful Tonight
I Can See Clearly Now
All Of Me (Legend)
Sweet Home Alabama
Hit The Road Jack
Tequila
Unchained Melody
Thinking Out Loud
Knocking On Heaven's Door
Smoke On The Water
Let It Be
I'm Yours
Come Away With Me
You Know I'm No Good
Blowin' In The Wind
Michelle
The Sound Of Silence
Nights In White Satin
Fallin'
No One
Back To Black
Nothin's Gonna Change My Love For You
Ain't No Sunshine
Just The Way You Are (Joel)
Everything I Do (I Do It For You)
Viva La Vida
True Colours
Your Latest Trick
Break My Heart (Dua Lipa)
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Hungry Eyes
I Will Survive
Imagine
Hallelujah
Someone You Loved
Hello
Despacito
Sexual Healing
Sway
When A Man Loves A Woman
Against All Odds
Money
A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Master Blaster (Wonder)
Superstition
Lily Was Here
Crime Of The Century (Supertramp)
Celebration (Kool & The Gang)
Candle In The Wind
Morning Has Broken
Sunny
On The Dock Of The Bay
The Logical Song
You're Beautiful
One (U2)
I Will Always Love You
Don't Worry, Be Happy
I Wanna Know What Love Is
One More Night
Africa (Toto)
Rocket man
Hey Jude
Walk On The Wildside
Both Sides Now
Smooth Operator
Born To Run
Maneater
Songbird
Flor D'Luna (Santana)
Feel
Yellow
How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
Hotel California
Pick Up The Pieces
No Man No Cry
You'll Never Walk Alone
Uptown Funk
Will You (Hazel O'Connor)
Believer (Imagine Dragons)
Titanium (Guetta)
7 Years
Someone You Loved
Take On Me
Happy
Wonderful Tonight
New York State Of Mind (Joel)
Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis)
Solsbury Hill (Gabriel)
99 Balloons
ELECTRO/IBIZA:-
Jubel
No Man No cry
Mr Saxobeat
Infinity
Freed From Desire
Faded
Living (Bakermat)
What Is Love (Haddaway)
Midnight City
Don't Worry (Madcon)
Destination Calabria (Gaudino/Waters)
Wake Me Up (Avicii)
Sunset Lover
We Found Love
SHOW/FILM TUNES;
Bring Him Home
Never Enough (Greatest Showman)
Goldfinger
The Pink Panther
Dr No!
My Heart Will Go On
The Godfather
She Caught The Katy
Schindler's List
Gabriel's Oboe (The Mission)
In The Midnight Hour
Beauty And The Beast
Hungry Eyes
A Whole New World
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Tarzan - You'll Be In My Heart
Into The Unknown (Frozen 2)
How Far I'll Go (Moana)
Love Me like You Do (50 shades)
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

The most repeated phrase is the added ambiance to an event. I've often been complimented on my easy sounding style, my flexibility and varied song choice.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I've played in everything from a small semi-detached house dining room to a church to a marquee. I've wandered around gardens playing A Capella and have entertained guests at weddings, birthdays, funerals, retirement parties and many more.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

My saxophone hero was the late great Michael Brecker. Having said that, I have such a wide experience of playing so many styles that I would probably say it is impossible to select one person.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Way back in 1988 I was posted in Gibraltar. Out of the blue came a call to provide a horn section for the very famous 4 Tops. I was flabbergasted to be playing behind the legend Levi Stubbs and it was possibly the highlight of my musical career. I've played for royalty on several occasions and have both played and sung in the Royal Albert Hall.

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

That's usually no problem at all! Weddings are notoriously approximate when it comes to timings. I'm happy to accommodate changes. There are limitations but we can work around them.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

I can usually provide this service for free as long as it falls within the agreed times of the event. If the service is required beyond the agreed time, this will incur an additional fee of £150.

How much time do you need to set up?

This varies from venue to venue. Usually about 20-40 minutes provided access and parking are reasonable. I try to arrive an hour before the first playing time so that I can set up and sound check well before the performance begins.

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

Absolutely. My song list is just a list of available songs. You can either pick and choose whichever ones you would like me to play, or leave it to me to decide. If there's a particular song you'd like played at a particular point, no problem. First dances, special entrances etc always add to the event's success so I'm always happy to make that happen.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes. I bring PAT tested PA, extension cable and all of the gear I need.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

Yes, I can and I'm more than happy to do so. I'm an excellent reader too. All I ask is that any request needs to be compatible with a saxophone and that a backing track can be generated or bought. There is usually a fee for adding more than three new songs and requests must be made within reasonable time of the event. Good things take time!

Dave:'s Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£206.25
Up to 1 hour£325
Up to 2 hours£387.50
Up to 3 hours£468.75
Packages
Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£300
60-minute party booster
Get your party going with a straight-through hour of live sax to tracks. Starting with a Chillout section, we go through to Pop and Rock and then really ramp it up with some Ibiza Bangers. Happy Birthday included, of course!
£325
Drinks reception
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£375
Party Builder
2 x 45 minute performances of solo sax to tracks. Each set could be a different style chosen from:- Chillout, Jazz, Pop/Rock, Electronic, Ibiza. OR Both sets could be a mixture of styles to suit most tastes. Set 2 would be more intense and create that party atmosphere ready for a following DJ.
£375
Background subtle sax
2 x 45 minute performances of solo sax to tracks, A mixture of styles to suit most tastes with the emphasis on background. Styles include Jazz, Swing, Classical, “Middle of the Road”, Light Pop, Musical Theatre, Great American Songbook.
£437.50
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception of Sax with tracks. Your choice of style/s. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served with live duo of Sax and Piano. Usually jazz based but could be a mixture.
£700

Add-ons

Speeches or Announcements
+£218.75
DJ set
+£218.75
Dave:
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
11 verified reviews
Satisfaction
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Professionalism
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.9
Communication
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Punctuality
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0

Dave:'s Reviews

From Encore customers:

SJ
Sharon J
3 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

EXCELLENT

Reply from Dave:
1 month ago

Thanks so much for the 5-star review, Sharon. It was a pleasure to play for your memorial party. Thanks so much for arranging accommodation too.

NP
Natalie P
6 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Amazing! Dave was so good, lovely and accommodating. Brought the vibe we wanted for our wedding party and loved his outfit choice and lit up saxo! Everyone said he was great! Highly recommend

Reply from Dave:
4 months ago

Hi Natalie, I’m sorry to reply so slowly but genuinely thought I’d sent one. Thanks to you both for making me a part of your special day! You were lovely people to perform to and I’m so happy that you liked the wacky shirt!

AG
Alice G
7 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.8 out of 5

Great variety of music. Very friendly. Would use again. Definitely recommend

Reply from Dave:
7 months ago

Hi Alice, Thanks for your lovely review! I'm so glad that you enjoyed my playing.

NG
Nicola G
9 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Dave was absolutely great! I booked him to play at a hen party and would very much recommend him. Dave was friendly, informative and flexible. He was also able to read the room and adapt his playlist accordingly. A great musician and pleasure to have

Reply from Dave:
9 months ago

Hey Nicola, Thanks for your glowing review. Your kind words have started my week very nicely, thank you. It must be said, though, that one reason I was able to fit your brief so well was that it was really clear. Your communication skills, coupled with the friendly, helpful attitude you all have made the job very very easy.

Read all 11 reviews

From other customers:

E
Email
6 years ago

Dear Dave, Just a small thank you for the wonderful music you played at our wedding last Saturday afternoon. It was exactly what we thought we were going to get and set the tone of the afternoon very nicely.

E
Email
7 years ago

Hi Dave, My wife and I would like to thank you for the performance you gave at our father's birthday party yesterday. He's loved the surprise., particularly the rendition of "summertime" you played. He will remember it for a long time to come.

Read all 3 reviews