www.barrysax.com
Barry Cockcroft is regarded as one of Australia’s finest saxophonists and his innovative compositions can be heard throughout the world. He has performed with various Australian orchestras and has been a regular guest with the Malaysian Philharmonic. For 10 years he has performed with Perth pianist Adam Pinto in Rompduo performing concerts both in Australian and abroad. Together they have recorded 9 albums and undertaken 5 national tours. Barry has appeared at major events including the Melbourne Festival, the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, the Brisbane Festival and international saxophone events in Australia, Italy, Spain, Canada & Thailand.
Barry studied in Australia with Dr. Peter Clinch for 5 years and for 2 years in Bordeaux France with renowned saxophonists Jacques Net, Marie-Bernadette Charrier and Jean-Marie Londeix. He graduated from the Bordeaux conservatoire with the coveted Medaille d’Or, the first prize for classical saxophone performance. Barry has completed two long-term residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada and has received regular support from the Australia Council for the Arts.
Barry has given masterclasses and performances at major Universities and music schools across Australia. A keen supporter of developing musicians, Barry has written several pedagogical books that continue to guide the development of thousands of young Australian musicians every year. Barry has over 140 published works all of which are available from Reed Music. He has acted as a repertoire consultant on Australian music and is a member of the International Saxophone Committee, supporting the triennial World Saxophone Congress.
Captivating, quirkily humorous and technically demanding, Barry’s compositions have seen successful adoption into mainstream saxophone literature. His music focuses on the integration of contemporary saxophone techniques into well-known genres, structures and rhythms. The combination of familiar sounds with new ideas has allowed wider audiences to enjoy and understand his music.
Barry’s tireless mission has been to encourage other musicians to perform Australian music. Barry’s close association with more than 80 composers has led to the publication of more than 800 new works over the past 15 years. In Australia, saxophonists are now performing hundreds of these new works in music exams, school performances and university recitals with active professionals regularly programming the works. Abroad, the music of Australian composers can be heard played by the world’s leading concert artists. Barry has encouraged composers writing the most advanced concert music for the saxophone to remember also the developing players who require a stimulating and original repertoire of their own.
An enthusiastic traveller Barry has visited over 60 countries and continues to compose and perform. For more information please visit barrysax.com, reedmusic.com & rompduo.com.