Saxophone

Stephen began his musical journey on the piano at the age of eight before discovering the saxophone at twelve. He holds a Master of Music (MMus) in Performance from the Royal College of Music, where he studied with Kyle Horch, following undergraduate studies with Dr. Angela Space at the University of Southampton, earning a BA (Hons) in Music.

Upon completing his studies, Stephen successfully auditioned for the Corps of Army Music and undertook further training at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, where he was awarded the prestigious Cousins Parchment for excellence in performance. He was appointed Principal Saxophonist with the Band of the Scots Guards in 2015 and subsequently with the Band of the Welsh Guards in 2019. He has been recognised with several accolades, including the Household Division's Musician of the Year award in 2017 and first prize in the CAMUS 25 Soloist Competition in 2019, competing against soloists from across the British Army.

As a versatile saxophonist, Stephen performs regularly in both classical and jazz settings. His recent collaborations include a premiere of Gareth Trott’s Concerto for Baritone Saxophone and Wind Band at Regent Hall, London and Dora Stoutzker Hall, Cardiff. Other notable performances include the UK premiere of Satoshi Yagisawa’s Baritone Saxophone Concerto Vongole at Cadogan Hall (2019), Hillary Tann’s In the First, Spinning Place, Pedro Iturralde’s Pequeña Czarda(Cadogan Hall, 2017), and Mark-Anthony Turnage’s Two Memorials at the Purcell Room as part of the Southbank Centre’s The Rest is Noise festival.

Stephen frequently appears as a soloist with the Band of the Welsh Guards and has performed at high-profile venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Cadogan Hall, Wembley Arena, The O2, the London Palladium, and Symphony Hall Birmingham. He has also appeared live on ITV and BBC One, including as a featured soloist at the 2019 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune with the Household Division Saxophone Quartet. His festival appearances include the Montreux Jazz Festival, Bestival, and the Isle of Wight Festival, with international performances across Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

A dedicated chamber musician, Stephen plays Baritone Saxophone with the acclaimed Laefer Quartet, recognised as one of the UK’s leading saxophone quartet’s. The quartet has received numerous accolades, including Park Lane Group Artists, Making Music Selected Artists, and the Elias Fawcett Award for Outstanding Ensemble at the 2017 Royal Over-Seas League Competition. They have performed at St John’s Smith Square, the Three Palaces Festival (Malta), and made their Wigmore Hall debut in 2018, followed by a sold-out concert at the Purcell Room in 2019. Their debut album, Strata, was released in 2024.

Stephen is also the Tenor Saxophonist of the Household Division Saxophone Quartet. Notable performances include the world premiere of Adam Gorb’s Let Them Play at the World Saxophone Congress in Zagreb (2018), and Thierry Escaich’s Tango Virtuoso with choreographed accompaniment at Cadogan Hall.

His orchestral experience includes performances as Principal Saxophonist with the London Military Band and engagements with ensembles such as The Academy of St Mary-le-Bow, Shadwell Opera, the Facade Ensemble, and Riot Ensemble.

Stephen is an active educator, having delivered masterclasses and workshops at leading institutions including the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the University of Southampton.