The Sax Family is comprised of the principal members of the National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain, playing a range of saxophones from the tiny soprillo to the majestic bass*. The NSC was established in 2002 as a large ensemble consisting of members from all over the UK. However, from the outset, smaller groups within the Choir have presented chamber works and other repertoire for NSC concerts. The Sax Family formalised these ad hoc groups, using the nuclear sax family to showcase each individual saxophone with music arranged and commissioned specifically for the group.

*Occasionally, The Sax Family is privileged to have the contrabass as part of the group. As a result of its size, transport of this large and rare instrument is difficult.

The Sax Family takes the original family of saxophones as conceived by Adolphe Sax, and supplements it with the world's smallest saxophone, the Soprillo, developed by Benedikt Eppelsheim. The Eppelsheim involvement (reflected also in the use of the Eppelsheim bass and contrabass*) celebrates the continuing role of inventiveness, curiosity and first-class engineering in the development of the saxophone, and the importance of collaboration between players (Nigel Wood) and manufacturers. The response to the Soprillo at the 14th World Saxophone Congress was a major factor in inspiring Nigel to produce the first ever all-Soprillo CD, Soprillogy, and to promote the instrument through performance and inclusion as a standard part of the NSC and The Sax Family line-up.

Many of The Sax Family's works are composed or arranged by its members and the NSC composer in residence, Roger May. Sax Circus written by May was premiered at the 2009 World Saxophone Congress in Bangkok and became the title track on the NSCs latest CD. The Sax Family's programmes include a wide range of music styles – a veritable cornucopia!

Listen to the Sax Family play Devil's Gallop by Charles Williams arranged by K. Veen
Recorded at Sarah Markham's 40th Birthday concert, St Paul's Hall, Huddersfield, 24th April 2010

As well as performances throughout the UK, The Sax Family performed in Bangkok, Prague, Holland, Hong Kong and China. In September 2010 - February 2011, they were Artists in Residence at Haileybury College, Hertfordshire, which included giving workshops, running composition competitions and numerous concerts.

Contribution to their ongoing popularity results from the consistent viewing of the Crazy Rag clip on YouTube with over 88,000 hits to date.

Future plans include recording Devil's Gallop for BBC Radio 3's Light Fantastic festival, an appearance at the 2012 Floriade Expo, Holland, and a collaborative concert in Bournville with a Travelling Carillon.

For enquiries and bookings: saxfamily@saxchoir.com.