Saxophonist

David Gilbertson

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About David

5 star reviewed Saxophonist, 100s of 5* reviews, any music style, anywhere! 1000s of events over distinguished music career, a must have.
Saxophonist
Merseyside
Public liability insurance of £10 million

Dave has worked in all musical genres typical for Saxophonists, predominantly Soul, R&B, Jazz, blues and for many years with DJs at all manner of events, weddings, birthdays, festivals, all over the UK and mainland Europe. Dave is an experienced and distinguished Saxophonist, having graduated late 1990s from the most prestigious Jazz program in the UK, CLCM (Leeds). Performing is in Daves DNA as a child Dave played piano recitals in junior school and took to the stage with a touring band as a young teenager on drums, meanwhile studying Sax formally into his teens Dave gained a classic apprenticeship for Sax players playing with a swing big band, from then on it was Sax 24/7….. and here we are!

David
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5 out of 5
29 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

David's Reviews

From Encore customers:

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Susan F
20 days ago
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5 out of 5

David was fantastic , very professional and friendly Had all my guests up dancing Great fun was had

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Andy H
21 days ago
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5 out of 5

Absolutely delighted with David’s performance at our birthday party. Totally got the audience and it was just a shame that the venue wouldn’t let him carry on past 10pm. Totally recommend and would definitely book again.

KJ
Kharis J
1 month ago
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5 out of 5

David was amazing! He performed at my sisters 21st birthday party, he got the guests going up on their feet and worked perfectly with our dj. David communicated very well and very fast even when he was on holiday! If we ever need a saxophonist again David will be booked! Thanks David Kharis

MT
Megan T
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

Wow! Dave made our surprise one to remember! He was so lovely and super talented, so accommodating with song choice and how we wanted the performance to go, would definitely recommend him and hire him again! Thank you so much Dave!!!

Read all 16 reviews

From other customers:

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Jessie O
8 months ago, for a Wedding in The Old Rectory
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5 out of 5

Hi Dave, Back from the Honeymoon and so just wanted to drop you a message to say a HUGE thank you! From the moment we met you brought the party! One of my favorite moments from the day is dancing outside to your sax whilst the sun set - which was your idea and I’m extremely thankful you did so seamlessly. I had so many friends that not only complimented the saxophone, but you as a person, saying how great you are. One friend said ‘he went all night, did not stop and fabulous from start to finish!’. You were simply brilliant and I can’t thank you enough. Kind regards, Jessie Obafemi Bride 13.04.24

PM
Paul M
9 months ago, for a Birthday party in Bolton
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5 out of 5

Hey Dave, Great night last night mate, thanks & hope we have you again soon. Always good to have such professional musicians. Paul.

Read all 19 reviews
Encore badges
Lightning fast responses
Average response time under 2 hours
50 gigs
Veteran: 50 bookings through Encore
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
1st Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over a year
Member of the Encore community forum

David's Song list

Pop Dance anthems -
Dua Lipa - One Kiss
Robin S - Show Me Love
Bougenvilla - Homeless/Gypsy Woman
Gaia - Freed From Desire
My Love - Jess Glynn
Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams
Love Inc - Superstar
Rune - Calabria
Mr Saxobeat
LF System - Afraid To Feel
Kungs - This Girl
Pretty Green Eyes - Ultrabeat
One More Time - Daft Punk
Pjanoo Eric Prydz
Miracle - Ellie Goudling
Peggy Gou - Nanana
Piece Of Your Heart - Meduza
Pitbull - Fireball
Pop, Soul & Funk Motown
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Diana Ross
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing - Marvin Gaye
All Night Long - Lionel Richie
All My Loving - The Beatles
Always There - Incognito
And I love Her - The Beatles
As - Stevie Wonder
A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
Cant Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli)
Dancing in the Street - Martha and The Vandellas
Do I Do - Stevie Wonder
Don't Know Why - Norah Jones
Dont Look Any Further - Dennis Edwards
Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing - Stevie Wonder
Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles
Endless Love - Lionel Richie & Diana Ross
Englishman In New York - Sting
Every Breath You Take - Sting
Fields of Gold - Sting
For Once In My Life - Stevie Wonder
For The Love Of You - Isley Bros
For Sentimental Reasons - Sam Cooke
Get Down Saturday Nifght - Oliver Cheatham
Golden Lady - Stevie Wonder
Grazin' In The Grass - Hugh Masekela
Hallelujah I Love Her So - Ray Charles
Happy - Pharrell
Heatwave - Martha and The Vandellas
Here There and Everywhere - The Beatles
How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
How Sweet It Is (to be loved by you - Marvin Gaye
Human Nature - Michael Jackson
I Can’t Help It - Michael Jackson
I Cant Stop Loving You - Ray Charles
I Got A Woman - Ray Charles
I Say A Little Prayer For You - Dionne Warwick
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
I Wish - Stevie Wonder
If I Aint Got You - Alicia Keys
It Must Be Love - Labi Siffre
Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
It Take Two - Marvin Gaye - Kim Weston
Just The Two Of Us - Bill Withers
Just The Way You Are - Billy Joel
Killing Me Softly With His Song - Roberta Flack
Lean On Me - Bill Withers
Lets Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Lets Stay Together - Al Green
Lovely Day - Bill Withers
Magic - Coldplay
Make You Feel My Love - Adele
Michelle - The Beatles
Moondance - Van Morrison
My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder
My Girl - The Temptations
My Guy - Mary Wells
Neither One Of Us - Gladys Knight
Never Can Say Goodybye - Jackson 5/Gloria Gaynor
Never Too Much - Luther Vandross
Never Stop - Brand New Heavies
New York StateOf Mind - Billy Joel
Norwegian Wood - The Beatles
One Day Like This - Elbow
One Hundred Ways - James Ingram
Overjoyed - Stevie Wonder
Put Your Records On - Corrine Bailey Rae
Rock With You - Michael Jackson
Saving All My Love For You - Whitney Houston
September - Earth Wind and Fire
Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
Simply Said - Kenny Garrett
She’s Always A Woman To Me - Billy Joel
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Spanish Harlem – Aretha Franklin
Spooky - Dusty Springfield
Stand By Me - Ben E King
Stop, Look, Listen To Your Heart – Diana Ross
Street Life - The Crusaders / Randy Crawford
Sunny - Bobby Hebb
Sweet Love - Anita Baker
Sweetest Feeling - Jackie Wilson
That’s The Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson
The “In” Crowd - Ramsey Lewis – Dobie Gray
The Look Of Love - Dusty Springfield
The More I See You - Nat King Cole
The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson
Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran
This Guy's in Love with You - Herb Alpert
Ticket to Ride - The Beatles
Time After Time - Cindy Lauper
Too Busy Thinking 'Bout My Baby - Marvin Gaye
Upside Down - Diana Ross
What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
What the World Needs Now Is Love – Dionne Warwick
Whats Going On – Marving Gaye
Wishing On A Star - Rose Royce
Wonderwall - Oasis
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life - Stevie Wonder
You Got A Friend in Me - Randy Newman
Your Precious Love - Marvin Gaye
Your Song - Elton John
Shallow - Lady Gaga - from 'A Star Is Born'
John Legend - Conversations In The Dark
Somewhere Only We know - Keane
Peg - Steely Dan
Africa - Toto
Love The One You're With - Luther Vandross
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
You're All I Need To Get By - Aretha Franklin
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Aretha Franklin
Heard It Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
Mr Bojangles - Sammy Davis Jr
Thinking About Your Love - Skipworth and Turner
Sax Classics
Careless Whisper - George Michael
Baker St - Gerry Rafferty
The Pink Panther - Henry Mancini
Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band
Songbird - Kenny G
Lily Was Here - Candy Dulfer
Forever In Love - Kenny G
Chicago Song - David Sanborn
The Dream - David Sanborn
Souful Strut - Grover Washington Jr
Mr Magic - Grover Washington Jr
Winelight - Grover Washington Jr
Soul Serenade - King Curtis
Take 5 - Dave Brubeck
Tequila - The Champs
Wedding Requests
Cristina Perri - A Thousand Years
Maroon 5 - Sugar
Alicia Keys - If I Aint Got You
John Legend - All Of Me
Pachelbel - Canon in D
Ellie Goulding - How Long Will I Love You
Kenny G - The Wedding Song
The Prayer - Celine Dion-Andrea Bocelli
Elastic Heart - Sia
Can You Feel The Love Tonight Elton John
Jackie WIlson - Sweetest Feeling
Van Morrison - Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Rick Astley - Neve Gonna Give You Up
Bette Midler - The Rose
Elvis Presley – Cant Help Falling In Love
Bring Me Sunshine from Morcambe & Wise
Freddie Jackson – You Are My Lady
Bruce Springsteen - Danciing In The Dark
Rolling Stones - Waiting On A Friend
Kate Bush - Babooshka
DJ Sammy - Heaven
Run - Leona Lewis
Strong - Sonna Rele
Bollywood - Tum Hi Ho, Tere Sang Yaara, Kal Ho Naa Ho
Jazzy Standards
Aint Misbehavin'
Alfie
All The Things You Are
Almost Like Being In Love
At Last
Autumn Leaves
Autumn In New York
Blue Skies
Cheek To Cheek
Come Fly With Me
Come Rain or Come Shine
Days Of Wine and Roses
Falling In Love With Love
Fever
Fly Me To The Moon
Georgia On My Mind
Get Me To The Church On Time
Girl Talk
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
I Get A Kick Out Of You
I Only Have Eyes for You
I Thought About You
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
I’ll Take Romance
I'm In the Mood for Love
It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
It Had To Be You
I've Got You Under My Skin
I've Got The World On A String
Jeepers Creepers
La Vie En Rose
L.O.V.E
Let There Be Love
Lets Face The Music And Dance
Lets Fall In Love
Let's Get Lost (In Each Others Arms)
Love Letters
Mack The Knife
Make Someone Happy
Makin Whoopee
My Romance
Nice And Easy
Night and Day
Mr Sandman
My Favourite Things
Old Devil Moon
One For My Baby
Put On A Happy Face
Serenata
Someday My Prince Will Come
Something Stupid
Somwhere
Stars Fell On Alabama
Stella By Starlight
Summertime
S'wonderful
The Lady Is A Tramp
The Summer Wind
The Way You Look Tonight
Walkin' My Baby Back Home
Witchcraft
You And The Night And The Music
You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me
Latin - Bossa Nova, Samba, Salsa
Besame Mucho
Brazil
Corcovado (Quiet Night of Quiet Stars)
Dreamer (Vivo Sonhando)
Felicidade
How Insensitive
Mas Que Nada
Meditation
Once I loved
One Note Samba
Quizas Quizas Quizas (Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps)
Samba De Orfeu (Sweet Happy Life)
So Nice (Summer Samba)
Sway
The Girl from Ipanema
Wave
Jazz classics
All Blues
Alfies Theme
Biji
Blue Bossa
Cold Duck Time
Comin' Home Baby
Dat Dere
Doxy
Ellington - Caravan, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, In A Mellow Tone, Take The A Train
Satin Doll, In A Sentimental Mood
In The Mood
James
Killer Joe
Linus And Lucy
Mahjong
Mercy Mercy Mercy
Moanin'
Oleo
Perdido
Recordame
Rockin’ In Rhythm
‘Round Midnight
Speak No Evil
Stolen Moments
St Thomas
Tenor Madness
The Sidewinder
The Jody Grind
Turnaround
Work Song
Yes and No
Ballads/vintage oldies
A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
God Bless The Child
In A Sentimental Mood
My One And Only Love
My Ship
Misty
MoonRiver
My Foolish Heart
My Funny Valentine
Over The Rainbow
Someone to Watch Over Me
Stardust
The Nearness Of You
Thats All
Try a Little Tenderness
When A Man Loves A Woman
When I Fall In Love
When You Wish Upon A Star
You Are So Beautiful
Ibiza Sax
Jubel - Klingade
The Man With The Red Face - Funkagenda
Bakermat - One Day (Vandaag)
Treasured Soul - Michael Calfan
Calabria - Rune
Changes (Faul & Wad Ad vs. Pnau)
This Girl - Kungs
Homeless - Bougenvilla
All Cried Out - Blonde
Eric Prydz - Pjanoo
Summer Love - Lovely Laura
Just Want Your Body - Lovely Laura-Ben Santiago
Pasilda - Afro Medusa
Samba Do Mondo - Gregor Salto/Fatbot Slim
At Night - Shakedown
Make A Move On Me - Joey Negro
Show Me Love - Robin S
Heaven - The Vison feat Andreya (danny krivit edit)
Liquid Spirt - Gregory Porter (dance mix)
Sky Full Of Stars - Coldplay (dance mix)
Most Precious Love - Blaze
Finally - Kings Of Tomorrow
Feel My Needs - Weiss (purple disco machine mix)
Gaia - Free From Desire
Let You Down - Just Kiddin'
Tim Delux - It Just Wont Do
Tori Amos - Professional Widow
MAW - To Be In Love
Soulsearcher - Can't Get Enough
Superstition - Opolopo remix
Basement Jaxx - Flylife (flashmob mix)
Southern Man - Akshin Alizadeh
Mr Saxobeat - Alexandra Stan
You Are Love - Lovetronic
All I Need -Blue Six - (Lovetronic Mix)
Play To The Music - Organic Audio
Elle - DJ Gregory (Criola Mix)
Clean Bandit - Extraordinary
Pete Heller - Big Love (David Penn Mix)
Bakermat - Teach Me
Destination Beachtowel - Groove Armada
Needin You - David Morales
Christmas songs
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Winter Wonderland
Silent Night
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Let It Snow
Sleigh Ride
We 3 Kings
I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus
Jingle Bells
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen The First Noel
Deck The Halls
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
Frosty The Snowman
Here Comes Santa Claus
Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Jingle Bell Rock
The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Blue Christmas
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
Tannenbaum (Oh Christmas Tree)
Rockin Around The Around The Christmas Tree
White Christmas

David's Prices

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)£180
Up to 1 hour£200
Up to 2 hours£300
Up to 3 hours£400

Add-ons

Lighting
+£50
DJ set
+£300
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

From feedback I know they love the Sax sound, Absolutely key to a successful Sax player .. do they have a great sound? Also my song choices, the vibe, whether upbeat or chilled. And the attention to details, I love the little details. Also being punctual, friendly, approachable & flexible is essential - I like to think I am always so.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I couldnt begin to list them all, this would be 1000s of venues, the only area I havent played in the UK is Cornwall, I’ve literally played in every Uk county. (minus 1) Heres a few well known places. Royal Highgrove, Gloucester. Old Trafford - Man Utd FC Old Trafford - Cricket. Anfield - Liverpool FC Olympia - Liverpool M&S Arena Liverpool. Savoy London

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

David Sanborn (sax) Kenny Garrett (sax) Stevie Wonder Michael Brecker (sax) John Coltrane (Sax)

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

Glastonbury. Liverpool City Of Culture 2008 - closing ceremony (solo sax) Highgrove - King Charles. Gigging with Soul legend Edwin Starr. Manchester Utd - for players & manager. Prime Minister Tony Blair reception. Manchester Jazz Festival.

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

Thats no problem - timing changes are usual so up to an hour or two is usually not an issue. Any significant changes please inform me asap.

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

Yes. I have Spotify, Apple Music and 1000s of tracks on a tablet.

How much time do you need to set up?

Depends on access & complexity of PA installation. Smaller set up .. 10 mins once equipment is in place. Bigger set up, lights, large PA more like 45 mins. I prefer to arrive in time with an hour to set up - this way theres no rushing and stress.

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

Yes, I need 15-20 songs per hour. For Ibiza / house I can take an entirely new list as I’m adept at improvising. You can have as much or as little input as you like with set lists, I can read the room well enough to know what will work for most audiences/events.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes. Sax, microphones, tracks, PA, stands, lighting, cables, … plus lots of spares!

Can you learn song requests before the event?

Yes I can and do so regularly. Never a problem - heavy rock is tricky on Sax however! I’ll take 3 or 4 new requests free per booking.
Musicianship
Genres:
R&B, Christmas, Electronic, Breakbeat, Ambient, Deep house, Drum 'n' Bass, Dubstep, EDM, Electro-Swing, Electronica, Garage, House, Ibiza club, Jungle, Techno, Triphop, Jazz, Blues, Cabaret, Dixieland, Jazz fusion, Latin jazz, Modern jazz, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Ragtime, Swing, Avant garde, Easy listening, Experimental, Light music, Originals, Pop, Acoustic, Ambient pop, Americana, Covers, Disco, Funk, Funk rock, Hip Hop, Motown, Soul, Top 40, Vintage, Bossa nova, Brazilian music, Bollywood, Bhangra, Cuban music, Italian music, Reggae, Salsa, Samba, Classical, Baroque, Classical crossover, Film / TV music, Britpop, Pop rock, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music
See all genres
Event types:
Wedding, Virtual event, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Arranger, Composer, Sound technician, Songwriter, Producer, Transcription, Accompanist, Fluent improviser, Fluent sight-reader, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Composition teaching, Music therapy, Examiner, Community music worker, Musicologist
See all skills