JONATHAN RADFORD

SAXOPHONE

BIOGRAPHY

Jonathan Radford is one of the leading classical saxophonists of his generation. In demand internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, he is a Vandoren Paris artist and plays Henri Selmer Paris saxophones. Jonathan is passionate about showcasing the saxophone’s versatility across the classical and contemporary repertoire, delighting audiences with his characteristically energetic and expressive performances.

Jonathan studied at Chetham’s School of Music (UK), before entering the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris (CNSM) in the class of Claude Delangle. He was awarded the 2018 Mills William Junior Fellowship at the Royal College of Music, studying with Kyle Horch. Jonathan is currently pursuing doctoral studies as an RCM Studentship Holder at the Royal College of Music, where he is researching the influential American saxophonist Rudy Wiedoeft.

Jonathan is an international prize-winner, with notable awards including Commonwealth musician of the year and Gold Medallist in the Royal Overseas League Competition (UK, 2018), SaxOpen International Competition (France, 2015) and Concordo Internazionale de Musica Marco (Italy, 2013). He was featured as a BBC Music Magazine ‘Rising Star’, and was selected as a Young Artist with Park Lane Group, Tunnell Trust, Making Music, and Countess of Munster Musical Trust.

Recent highlights include recitals at Wigmore Hall, Southbank Centre, Bridgewater Hall (Manchester), Seoul Arts Center (South Korea), Grieg Hall (Bergen), and Philharmonie de Paris. He regularly performs at major music festivals in the UK, Europe and Asia. As a concerto soloist, Jonathan has appeared with several orchestras including the Slovenian Chamber Orchestra and Liverpool Mozart Orchestra in concertos by Glazunov, Ibert, John Williams and Berio. Jonathan’s debut CD with British pianist Ashley Fripp, is scheduled for release in 2022 by Champs Hill Records.

A keen advocate of contemporary music, he has premiered works by Cheryl Frances-Hoad (Algernon, co-commissioned by ROSL), Luis Naón (Tangos Utopicos, co-commissioned by Radio France), Betsy Jolas (Un post-it pour Henri, commissioned by the CNSM) and collaborated with IRCAM in Paris. Jonathan is a co-founder of the Yendo Quartet who are regularly broadcast by Radio France, featuring on their programmes Generation Jeunes Interprète, Alla Breve and En Piste. Yendo released their first CD, Utópico, in 2016 and plan to release their second in 2022, featuring works by Debussy and Grieg.

An enthusiastic teacher, Jonathan has given masterclasses at the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Chetham’s School of Music, Melbourne Conservatorium and Nice Conservatoire. Jonathan is very passionate about bringing music to a wider community and is active in outreach projects throughout the UK. In collaboration with The Worshipful Company of Musicians’, Jonathan regularly works with schools who have limited access to music education, and patients suffering from dementia and neuro-disabilities. He is a mentor for the Wigmore Hall ‘Chamber Tots’ program.

Upcoming engagements include concerts at the Wigmore Hall, St John’s Smith Square and tours in South Korea, France and Norway.