Phil Shotton Music

Ensembles

As a Jazz musician, bandleader and conductor with over twenty years of experience arranging bespoke ensembles to meet every requirement for performances at concert halls, festivals, weddings and functions of all kinds, Phil can tailor his ensemble to exactly what you require. Be it soft, gentle, background dinner jazz to hot, swinging, boisterous, full throttle big band sounds. From classical saxophone quartets to the music of the roaring twenties, two musicians to a hundred musicians, Phil can cater for all your needs with that personal touch that will make your event go with a swing!

Here is an example of what can be offered, adapted and enjoyed:

Playing the music from the wide and varied repertoire of jazz standards - The Great American Songbook and beyond, you'll be bound to recognise, tap your feet along to and even sing along with timeless jazz classics performed with stunning musicianship and a great sense of character. Requests can, of course, be catered for!

Phil Shotton Duo

Saxophone and any of the following: piano, guitar, double bass, piano/vocalist

Ideal for more intimate settings, such as restaurants and drinks receptions.

Phil Shotton Trio

Saxophone, double bass and piano or guitar

This swinging trio can easily set up quickly, and be flexible enough to move around venues during different stages of your event if required. The trio can perform both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting!).

Phil Shotton Quartet

Saxophone, piano, double bass and drums

The classic jazz quartet – oozing sophistication, style and swing!

Phil Shotton Quintet

Saxophone, piano, guitar, double bass and drums

The addition of jazz guitar gives a slightly different feel to the quartet.

Phil Shotton Sextet

Saxophone, trumpet (or other front line horn), piano, guitar, double bass and drums

Larger front line, more opportunity for improvisation and classic two horn arrangements of the bebop era.

Phil Shotton Mini Big Band

Two Saxophones, trumpet, trombone, piano, double bass and drums

The mini big band… playing the sounds of the swing era but can fit on a smaller stage!

Phil Shotton Big Band

The full big band: 5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, piano, guitar, double bass and drums

This is the full big band experience; think Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald… Various big band shows available including ‘themed 1940’s nights’, ‘The Big Band Story’, ‘Frank Sinatra Tribute’.
We also play more modern big band names such as Stan Kenton, Tom Kubis, Gordon Goodwin, Maynard Ferguson. All repertoire can be tailored for your event.

Phil Shotton Birth of the Cool Band

Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Alto Sax, Baritone Sax, Piano, Double Bass and Drums

Phil Shotton recreates the music of the Miles Davis Nonet recording 'Birth of the Cool'. Although this Nonet only performed live a handful of times and ceased to exist by 1950, it is widely regarded as one of the most important ensembles in the history of jazz and has heavily influenced both jazz musicians and future jazz composers and arrangers.

The Birth Of The Cool Band play music edited from the original manuscript, featuring arrangements by the likes of Gil Evans, Bud Powell and Gerry Mulligan, endeavouring to recreate this seminal album with care, respect and the correct interpretation.

Phil Shotton Northwest Coast Octet

3 Saxophones, Trumpet, Trombone, piano, double bass and drums

The octet performs the 'West Coast Jazz' classics of 1950's America, happy, melodic, relaxed and grooving music that reflects this period of swinging jazz. The 'little big band' style of arranging was very popular during the time and allowed for more intricate writing along with improvisational characteristics of the smaller jazz ensembles.

The Octet perform music composed or recorded by the likes of; Gil Evans, Miles Davis, Gerry Mulligan, Shorty Rogers, Dave Pell and many more...

Swingshift Big Band

5 Saxophones, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, piano, guitar, double bass and drums

For more information please visit: www.swingshiftbigband.org.uk.

Vocalists

All the above ensembles can have a vocalist (male or female) added to them, if required, for that extra touch of sophistication!

Corrine Andrew
(North West based)

Chris James
(London based)

Julia Fiebelkorn
(based in Berlin)

Adee Lifshitz
(North West based)

Phil Shotton Saxophone Quartet

Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones

This is a very versatile group of four saxophonists, playing various repertoire including light classical music, show tunes, music from stage and screen, and even jazz, funk and reggae!

Phil Shotton as Guest Soloist

Phil is available to guest as a soloist with rhythm sections, combos or big bands. Phil also offers guest conducting of ensembles. Both can be as part of a workshop/masterclass session and performance if required.

Session Musician, Studio & Remote Recording

Phil is in demand as a woodwind (Saxes, Clarinets & Flutes) session musician. He has recorded with many ensembles for various record labels and projects. Phil covers all styles; Jazz, commercial and pop, classical, folk and traditional. His sight reading and improvisational skills are first rate and Phil can easily fit into any existing ensemble or multi-track parts for horn sections.

In addition to studio recording, Phil can offer a remote recording service. Send tracks to Phil and he can record from his home studio and then return the tracks to you.

Contact Phil for a quote for session work: phil@philshottonmusic.co.uk

Ensembles featuring Phil Shotton as a regular member/sideman

In addition to performing with his own ensembles Phil regularly performs all over the UK as a musician with various other professional ensembles and tours. More information can be found out about these groups by following the links:

The Hollywood Swingers - Tenor Sax
www.thehollywoodswingers.co.uk

The Danny Miller Big Band - Lead Alto Sax
www.dannymillermusic.co.uk

The Danny Miller ‘Little Big Band’ (8 piece) - Lead Alto Sax
www.dannymillermusic.co.uk

The Prohibition Pop Band - Flute, Clarinet, Tenor Sax
www.prohibitionpopband.com

Cafe Society 1920’s Jazz Band - Clarinet & Alto Sax
www.fixthemusic.com/cafe-society-jazz-band

The Sunburst Orchestra - Tenor Sax
Sunburst Orchestra
For more info contact phil@philshottonmusic.co.uk

Saxtivity - Saxophone Quartet - Baritone Sax
www.frankgriffith.co.uk

The Frank Griffith Nonet - Baritone Sax & Bass Clarinet
www.frankgriffith.co.uk

Craig Martin - Beatles Swing - UK band - Musical Director & Saxophonist
www.facebook.com/thebeatlesswing

Acoustic Traditions - Piccolo, Flute & Clarinet
Jazz meets, Folk, Celtic and Liturgical music… For more info contact Phil: phil@philshottonmusic.co.uk

Community Ensembles

Phil directs several community ensembles which you could join. Phil is passionate about conducting and community music making. He directs several ensembles open to musicians from within the local community.

Do you play an instrument? Want to gain valuable ensemble experience and enjoy rehearsing and performing music with others under professional directorship? To find out more about these ensembles directed by Phil follow the links below or contact Phil phil@philshottonmusic.co.uk

Maghull Wind Orchestra
www.maghullwindorchstra.co.uk

Kaleidoscope Big Band
www.kaleidoscopebigband.com

Northwest Saxophone Choir & Macclesfield Saxophone Choir
www.facebook.com/Northwestsaxophonechoir

Edge Hill University Big Band
To find out more please contact phil@philshottonmusic.co.uk