Powerful Sax solos/hooks/lines

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a professional-grade recording setup using ProTools/Logic and a variety of microphone combinations (Rode, AKG, Shure etc) through a Focusrite Clarett 4Pre interface into a Macbook Pro. The walls are acoustically treated, and I have tertiary qualifications in audio engineering/production, delivering crisp, clean recordings that are ready for your mix.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Some of my favourite saxophonists include David Sanborn, Kenny Garrett, Clarence Clemons, Bobby Keys, Cannonball Adderley, Maceo Parker, Paul Desmond, Candy Dulfer and Dick Parry.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Q: What is your turnaround time? A: Usually under 24 hours, but please let me know if you have any deadline restrictions Q: Can you come up with the parts yourself or do I need to write them out? A: Written parts are fine, but I'm more than happy to create them myself too :-) Q: Do you do full horn sections? A: I can write/arrange full horn sections and record the saxes. I also play EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) emulations of brass - however if you want live trumpets/trombones I can sort out players for you.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I'll often be given 8-16 bars to have a solo over a pre-existing track, with instructions to "fill out" some of the other sections with licks, noodling etc. Some clients request a wailing solo at a climatic point of their song, others are looking for punchy horn stabs, some are looking for smoother, subtler phrases to complement a vocal melody. Whatever the task, I put my heart and soul into the job and can adapt to any musical scenario to deliver the most stylistically appropriate result.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I've been playing the Sax since 2004. After completing the grades, I achieved an associate diploma in the Sax at age 17, and went on to study a Bachelor of Music (Contemporary/Jazz Performance) & Bachelor of Physics (Acoustics) at the Australian National University and the University of Illinois. Other instruments I perform/record on include the guitar, keys/synth, EWI (electronic wind instrument, with brass emulations), electric cello, bass, recorder, percussion, harmonica and vocals. I've played at a wide range of festivals, weddings, clubs, bars, functions and parties and really enjoy the live aspect of my career. Recording is a joy unto itself, and I take it very seriously- paying utmost attention whenever I'm booked for a studio session as to what the producer, engineer and other musicians are doing and how we all fit together. I've been recording as long as I've been performing and have released numerous albums, singles, EPs etc. Working as an online session saxophonist is an amazing way to hone my skills whilst discovering new styles and connecting with people from all over the world.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm constantly working on many remote recording jobs, as well as composing/producing from my home studio for various projects and screen/videogame soundtracks. It's always a real pleasure working for all of my SoundBetter clients and helping them to realise their musical goals!

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Whilst I play saxes and EWI brass emulation, if you want the real deal with trumpet/trombone, Kelly O'Donohue is an excellent musician and recording artist. For Pop production, check out Aubrey Whitfield!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Any specific sections to play over (min:sec) or across the whole track? Any reference tracks? These are always great, but by no means necessary

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: ...that the client needs to know what they're looking for in a saxophone recording. It's fine if they do, but it's absolutely no problem at all for me to work out how the sax will best complement a track.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: To give their track the attention to detail it deserves, and provide my full commitment to deliver my best on every take!

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Delve into the demo material, read the reviews and description and work out who would be best for your track.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Less is more.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: In any musical scenario, I strive to bring out the best of the music by complementing the artist's ideas. Sometimes it's just a soft, sustained note. Sometimes it's a crazy wailing solo. I use my ears to determine what will improve the overall aesthetic of the track.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Over many years working as a remote session saxophonist, my clients have provided me with tracks ranging through Pop, Hip Hop, Rock, EDM, Funk, Jazz, Electronic, World, Metal, Folk, Classical, Blues and much more. I'm comfortable in all different genres and am always excited to work on new sounds!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening to what the music needs.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I'll listen carefully to the song to get an idea of where it goes and how I could contribute to it. I make sure that I'm not just playing for the sake of playing! Then I'll do a variety of different takes, so the client has different ideas to work with (loud vs soft, long notes vs faster passages etc). If I have specific instructions, I'll make sure that there are takes where I do exactly as asked...then I'll also delve into my own interpretations to provide an extra perspective, should it be needed. Sometimes, the client leaves me to take the reins in which case I use my many years of online recording experience to create the best and most appropriate sound for their track.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being able to play music all the time, meeting and working with amazing people (whether face-to-face or online) and being part of the creative process. The feeling of having a finished product that was once just a few notes drifting around your head late at night is a hard one to beat.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I strive to be as versatile as possible, for the benefit of both myself and others. I'm originally classically trained and I've studied jazz at university too. But throughout my whole life, I've also loved the pop/rock idiom and all of its offshoots. These influences are all present in my playing. You'll have to get in touch to find out more!