BECKY BELL-THOMAS - SAXOPHONE & CLARINET
       
Name
Becky Bell-Thomas
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Instrument
Saxophone & Clarinet

What age did you start?
I started the clarinet at age 11 and the saxophone at 13. I joined my first big band when I was 14

Who've you played with/for?
I’ve been very fortunate to meet and work with some incredible classical and jazz musicians. Most recently, through my role leading Out of the Blue Jazz Orchestra, I’ve performed with Alan Barnes, Matt Ford, Andy Scott, Celine Love and most recently Claire Teal. Next year, I’m looking forward to Tommy Blaize joining the band as a guest artist.

Fave Artist
That’s a tough question because I love classical, jazz, pop, country, and folk. There are so many artists I admire and have been influenced by. But if I had to pick one jazz musician, undoubtedly Stan Getz.

What are you currently listening to?
I spend most of my time listening to playlists ahead of performances—mainly lots of big band jazz. After my most recent gig, Gordon Goodwin charts are featuring heavily at the moment.

Biggest instrument pet hate
Leaving your reed on your mouthpiece so it goes mouldy—there’s no excuse!

Favourite thing to play on your instrument
On clarinet, it would be Brahms’ Second Clarinet Sonata in Eflat. I spent years studying and performing Brahms at university. On saxophone, undoubtedly being on the front row in a big band—there’s nothing quite like it.

Best line from a song
If I’m being sentimental, I’d say a Sigur Rós album because it was the first CD my husband bought me on our third date—but that’s in Icelandic, and Hoppa I poll/I engum stigvelum doesn’t really roll off the tongue! The first big band chart I bought was Can’t Take My Eyes off You. I set up a big band at University and we played it on the opening stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to thousands of people, a moment I will never forget. So ‘I Love You Baby’ has got to be in there too! 

Tell us your best (clean) joke
My kids bought my husband a “Worst Dad Joke” calendar, so we get terrible jokes every day at breakfast. A really bad/good musical one from that was: Q What is Beethoven’s favourite fruit? A: Ba – na – na- na!