Originally from Brisbane, Australia but now based in the Maastricht, Netherlands, Andrew Saragossi (28) is a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist specialising in jazz and improvised music. His current practice is based around exploring the complete potential of the saxophone in order to occupy non-traditional musical roles and functions by utilising extended instrumental techniques.
Saragossi’s passion for the unorthodox and knack for developing unique ensemble identities has seen him release 9 albums, spanning six of his co-led projects since 2017. His current projects include the experimental-folk duo MEATSHELL (winners Maastricht Jazz Awards 2020, Award for Innovation in Music 2019), avant-bogan/progressive jazz trio Milton Man Gogh (finalists B-Jazz International Competition 2020, Queensland Music Awards 2020) and contemporary jazz group AHA Trio (finalists Burghausen Jazz Awards 2020).
Outside of his own projects, Saragossi has proven a versatile and open-minded performer spanning many genres with an impressive freelance resume. He has appeared with artists such as Tom Burlinson, Resin Dogs & BULLHORN as well as featuring in several productions with the Electric Moon Theatre Company at the Melbourne Cabaret Festival and Brisbane Cabaret Festival’s as well as being in the resident band for the Twin Peaks Casts in Conversation Australian Tour in 2018.
Saragossi is a founder and director of independent record label Green Chimneys Records with which he has promoted shows in Brisbane for a vast array of internationally renowned artists in the jazz and hip-hip spheres including Oddisee (USA), Black Milk (USA) and KNOWER (USA). In 2018 he launched sub-label SuperSonic with a focus on capturing and documenting the creative and innovative music happening in Brisbane and providing opportunities for artists to record, release and perform their own music. Since February 2018, SuperSonic has recorded and released 16 albums and has maintained a monthly residency/showcase. He is currently the Head of Production for Jazz Maastricht and has worked with internationally recognised artists including Richard Bona, Gilad Hekselman, Avishai Cohen & Yonathan Avishai, Kairos 4tet and the Metropole Orchestra.
Having completed Bachelor studies in Music and Law in Brisbane, Saragossi is currently completing his Master of Music studies at Conservatorium Maastricht, NL. During his time in Europe he has studied with saxophonists including Greg Torunski, Roger Hanschel, Frank Gratkowski, Claudius Valk, Ben van Gelder, Karolina Strassmeyer, Reiner Witzel and Eva van Grinsven. He was also fortunate to receive the Colin Biedermann Memorial Scholarship to attend the 2019 SIM (School for Improvisational Music) Summer Intensive program in Brooklyn, New York under the direction of trumpeter Ralph Alessi, having lessons with Tony Malaby, Tim Berne and Michael Attias.
>> You can find links to Saragossi’s released music below <<
MEATSHELL – debut album “AFAR” (2019 MADE NOW MUSIC)
Milton Man Gogh – new album “How To Be Big & Small (At The Same Time) (2019 Art as Catharsis)
AHA Trio – debut album “Against All Odds” (2019)
Concocted Consciousness self titled debut album (2018 SuperSonic)
Jive Canyon – debut album “Ghost on the Loose” (2018 SuperSonic)
Andrew Saragossi 