Martin Townshend
SAXOPHONE TEACHER & MUSIC GROUP LEADER, LEEDS
I am a Graduate of the City of Leeds College of Music, where I studied sax, flute and clarinet.
I have been a private sax teacher for many years, and was sax teacher for evening classes at the Leeds Conservatoire (formally the City of Leeds College of Music) for several years.
I am currently a teacher with Artforms, which is part of Leeds City Council Children's Services.
I hold the Certificate of Teaching from the leading international examination board, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (CtABRSM).
My sax playing career timeline...
1967
Inspired by jazz and blues, I felt the saxophone was the instrument for me!
I was very fortunate to be at school near Aldershot and to have my first instrument and tuition courtesy of the British Army.
1967
1969-1972
Studied English and Music at University of York
1972 - 1975
Decided that a career in music was the way forward.
Studied saxophone, woodwind, piano and arranging at the Leeds Music Centre (later Leeds College of Music, now Leeds Conservatoire)
1972 - 1975
1975
Began teaching privately
1984 - 2018
Teaching in schools
Teaching in schools for Leeds City Council and at Leeds College of Music (many students over a number of years)
1984 - 2018
1997
Jazz band leader at North Leeds Music Centre
Music Group Leader
I play an active role in the musical life of Leeds, conducting the North Leeds Jazz Orchestra, which is based at the North Leeds Music Centre.
Whether my students prefer classical, jazz, folk or other styles of music, I encourage them to join one of the many bands or orchestras in Leeds when they are ready.
I have played in many bands large and small in many styles (mostly jazz, but also folk, rock and experimental). I now specialise on the soprano saxophone, but have wide experience teaching and playing alto, tenor and baritone saxophones as well.
See Sax Lessons for information about lessons with me.