The Sax Section

Gerald Levy (alto and soprano saxes)

Gerald is a former member of both the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the European Community Youth Jazz Orchestra and has also played for many classical orchestras and ensembles. Currently, Gerald is a session musician (playing for TV, Radio and CD recordings) and an instrument teacher (clarinet, sax and flute) working in all fields of music.

Peter Godin (alto sax and band mascot)

Pete brings to the band a wealth of experience in all matters dear to the heart of every saxophone player - drink, drugs, women and gambling. His particular passion has always been playing outdoors. Indeed the pinnacle of his career was when he had his own pitch on London's prestigious Oxford Street. However, since those halcyon days things have taken a steady decline and, after a brief flirtation with funk and reggae lasting about 30 years, he now finds himself playing with the Urban Big Band. His hobbies outside music include waiting for buses and shouting at people.

William Yeomans (tenor sax)

William Yeomans is Canvey Island's answer to Stan Getz. He is a graduate of the City of Leeds College of Music, (Graduate Diploma in Jazz and Contemporary Music). However, he has spent the last 15 years in various school practice rooms teaching. Occasionally he is let out to meet the public on Tuesday and weekend evenings. Please do not approach him. He has never played with anybody famous apart from Vera Lynn, one night in Barking. His ambition in life is to retire to France and he will happily communicate with you in Pidgin French. Merci beaucoup mes amis!

John Matthews (tenor sax)

John started his musical life as a trumpet player but soon saw the error of his ways and took up the sax. After graduating in (classical) music, at a university where the big band had to rehearse in secret (those were the days!), his first pro gig was with the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra. This was also his last ever classical gig and he then pursued jazz in various groups only to discover that this was a difficult way to get the rent paid. The next few years were spent playing in any kind of band that had a sax in it, including a couple of years touring North America with a West African band. However, after fifteen years of "have sax, will travel" he decided to get a proper job (well that's what he thought at the time) and is now Head of Music at a North London school.

Dave Baker (baritone sax)

Dave has played all the saxes, clarinet, bass clarinet and flute extensively in dance bands, big bands, pit orchestras, jazz groups and occasionally symphony orchestras and chamber groups. He has played at venues ranging from pubs and clubs to Buckingham Palace and most places in between!

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