Iain Ballamy
Biography
Born Guildford, UK, 20/2/64. Studied piano from age of 6 to 14 years. Started saxophone in 1978 with three lessons and first professional gig 1980. Studied 1980-82 at Merton College - Musical Instrument Technology, City & Guilds. Played Ronnie Scotts as Iain Ballamy Quartet at age 20. Founding member of Loose Tubes in 1984. First recording with Billy Jenkins 1985 and first solo album, Balloon Man, 1988. Extensive touring internationally and at home over last 15 years in addition to numerous recordings, collaborations, festival appearances and arts projects. The last 5 years has produced a number of commissioned compositions for saxophones, piano, and harpsichord.
Commissions
1995 Apollo Saxophone Quartet - ‘Estuary English’
1996 Apollo Saxophone Quartet - ‘Mirror Signal Manouvre’
1996 ACME - Commissioned by Birmingham Jazz
1997 ‘Oblique’ - Commissioned by SAMPAD/Birmingham Jazz
1998 Jane Chapman - Solo Harpsichord ‘Four and a half minutes late’
1998 Joanna MacGregor - Duet for Piano & Tenor Sax ‘Walpurgis Night’
Awards
1985 John Dankworth Cup, Best Soloist
1995 BT British Jazz Award, Best Ensemble - Balloon Man