Iain Ballamy last visited the Festival six years ago with his group Anorak.
With Iain Ballamy Quartet, he has created a world class jazz quartet which includes pianist Jason Rebello, the trumpeter and bassist Percy Pursglove, and drummer Mark Whitlam.
Iain came to prominence in the early ‘80s with Loose Tubes, Django Bates and Bill Bruford’s Earthworks. Described as urbane, original, and freethinking, he has since established himself as an internationally renowned saxophonist and composer.
Listed in the BBC’s publication 100 Jazz Greats between Count Basie and Chet Baker, Iain's work is full of jazz and classical references and yet remains unencumbered by formality and tradition.
“...an unmistakably Ballamy sound and sensibility, executed to thrilling effect by an extraordinary band...” Mike Collins, JazzyBlogMan
Iain Ballamy has worked with many of the leading figures in today’s contemporary jazz scene. He was presented with the BBC Jazz Award for Innovation in 2001 and in 2007 was the first jazz musician to receive a prestigious Paul Hamlyn Composer’s Award.
As a soloist, Iain performed Concerto for Stan Getz by Richard Rodney Bennett with the BBC Concert Orchestra and premiered Gary Carpenter’s saxophone concerto SET live on Radio 3 with the BBC Philharmonic in 2014.
“Ballamy’s melodies may one day be seen as legendary as they are inspired and searching, with an amazing care for detail” Philippe Renaud, Improjazz
Iain is currently a visiting professor at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Leeds College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and The Royal Academy of Music, which made him an Hon ARAM in 2014.