Recognised for his “virtuosity and engaging musicianship” (Gramophone Magazine), Jonathan Radford is regarded as one of the leading classical saxophonists of his generation. Passionate about showcasing the saxophone’s versatility across the classical and contemporary repertoire, Jonathan delights his audiences with characteristically energetic and expressive performances. 

 

In demand internationally as a concerto soloist, recitalist and chamber musician, Jonathan has performed in prestigious concert halls and festivals across the world including the Grieg Hall (Bergen), Philharmonie de Paris, Seoul Arts Center (South Korea), Bridgewater Hall (Manchester), Southbank Centre - Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Wigmore Hall (London). Recent appearances include concertos with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra and the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra.

 

Jonathan is an international prize-winner, including the award of Commonwealth Musician of the Year and Gold Medallist in the Royal Overseas League Music Competition (UK), Saxopen International Competition (France), and Concordo Internazionale de Musica Marco (Italy). He was a Young Concert Artist for the Countess of Munster Musical Trust, Hattori Foundation, Making Music Philip and Dorothy Green Award, Park Lane Group, Tunnell Trust and the Worshipful Company of Musicians.  

 

Jonathan’s debut album recorded with pianist Ashley Fripp, ‘The Saxophone Craze – Homage to Rudy Wiedoeft’ (2022) was released on Champs Hill Records to critical acclaim, receiving a 5* review from BBC Music Magazine, and featured as ‘One to Watch’ in Gramophone Magazine. As a guest on broadcasting networks, Jonathan has featured on BBC Radio 3, Fine Music Radio, France Musique and Scala Radio.

 

Alongside championing existing repertoire for saxophone by composers such as Debussy, Glazunov, Milhaud, Caplet, Schulhoff and Villa-Lobos, Jonathan is devoted to the creation of new works for the saxophone. He has commissioned and premiered works by Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Dani Howard, Betsy Jolas, Christian Lauba, Luis Naón and Raymond Yiu.

 

Jonathan studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris (CNSMDP) with Claude Delangle, then in London at the Royal College of Music as the 2018 Mills Williams Junior Fellow, studying with Kyle Horch. 

 

A dedicated pedagogue, Jonathan regularly gives classes at the Royal College of Music and has given masterclasses at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Royal Welsh College of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Chetham’s School of Music and Melbourne Conservatorium. Jonathan is passionate about bringing music to a wider community, regularly collaborating with the Wigmore Hall’s learning programme.

 

Jonathan is a Vandoren Paris and Henri Selmer Paris saxophone artist.​