about the ensemble
Asterisk is an exciting Saxophone ensemble, formed originally as part of the prestigious Trinity College of Music Big Band. The four members: Murray Morrison, Matthew Hope, Jimmy Cannon and Claire Mcinerney decided to form this group to demonstrate a different side to the Saxophone quartet sound.
Using a varied repertoire, original material and different combinations of instrumentation, Asterisk delivers a program from refined Hollywood Swing to contemporary concert pieces.
The fun, bright and vigorous manner of the ensemble makes them well suited to play to all manner of audiences, from schools to concert halls, always delivering an entertaining and unusual performance.
workshops
As improvised music becomes more prominent in music education, the aim of the group is to offer a platform where students of all levels can experience musical freedom within simple structures.
Between the four members of Asterisk, there is an extremely wide range of musical knowledge and experience: composition, arranging, improvisation, music history and studio techniques.
Specifically with reference to the Saxophone, flute and clarinet: articulation, sectional playing, reading techniques, ensemble coaching, vibrato and tone control are also a speciality. Our primary field of knowledge is jazz, and we offer improvisation workshops quite unlike those of other groups.
Workshops can be tailored entirely to clients’ preferences and requirements, but would typically include:
- Coaching established groups
- Arrangements for large ensembles of mixed standards with opportunity for improvising
- Individual lessons (4 at a time)
- New quartet material for reading practise and to form new groups for a concert
- Big Band style sectional workshops
- Music history related repertoire demonstrations for schools
Typically we would spend two to four hours in workshop sessions before a concert. This concert would consist of a performance by Asterisk and also students performing music that had been worked on during the day.
concerts
Since Asterisk perform acoustically, without amplification or sound equipment, they can perform comfortably in any setting from large halls to small function rooms.
Much of the material in the repertoire is original or commissioned, so they play an unusual program that shows a wide range of Saxophone sounds and styles perhaps not heard from other groups. The main tenet of the group is enthusiasm – for music, for ensemble performance, and for the instrument itself. With their jazzy outlook on music, Asterisk gives an exciting listening experience to every audience, and a concert of real bite!
There is also a full and varied repertoire of arrangements from the swing era to compliment any type of function, particularly if you require sophisticated background music.
Please contact Jimmy for any more information including fees.