Andy Scott is a Northwest (UK) based composer, saxophonist and educator with a distinctive musical voice that encompasses elements of jazz, world and contemporary classical styles. He is a founder member of the Apollo Saxophone Quartet and teaches at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

One of Andy’s most popular compositions, ‘Salt of the Earth’ started life as a three-movement Concerto for Tuba with Brass Band! Andy has arranged the piece for a number of ensembles and soloists, and in this case was delighted to continue his collaboration with the AGQ, with Mike Baker undertaking the arranging duties.

The composer writes “Influenced heavily by jazz & latin music, ‘Salt of the Earth’ is fast and furious. The main melody moves over changing chords that are underpinned by a pedal note before the release of a montuno-inspired B section. Moving away from chord changes, the introduction, bridge and coda are written as two virtuosic single-line parts.

The title of the piece was inspired by the salt mining industry in my home county of Cheshire East. Underground networks of roads stretch for miles, whilst overground, huge football pitch-size salt mountains provide a surreal landscape.”