Biography
ECM recording artist Iain Ballamy is internationally recognised as a saxophonist and composer. He has been described variously as urbane, original, melodic, freethinking and uncompromising.
Listed in the BBC’s publication ‘100 Jazz Greats’ between Count Basie and Chet Baker his work is contemporary with both strong jazz and classical references and yet un-encumbered by formality and tradition.
Over 3 decades spent transcending musical genres and stereotypes and gradually forging strong and ongoing relationships with musicians around the globe, Ballamy has worked with many cutting-edge figures of today’s contemporary jazz scene.
Ballamy was presented with the BBC Jazz Award for Innovation in 2001. ‘Food’, a group co-formed with drummer, composer and electronics wizard Thomas Stronen, released its third album for ECM records entitled ‘This is Not a Miracle’ featuring Christian Fennesz on Guitar.
A recent commission for Manchester Jazz and Literary Festivals featured a multi media production with graphic artist Dave McKean, Irish poet Matthew Sweeney and ‘The Pepper Street Orchestra’.
The award winning trio ‘Quercus’ featuring legendary folk singer June Tabor with Iain Ballamy and pianist Huw Warren released ‘Nightfall’ their second album for ECM in spring 2017.
As a composer, Ballamy has written soundtracks for two films directed by Dave McKean: ‘Luna’ and ‘Mirrormask’, the latter produced and released worldwide by the Jim Henson Company.
In 2007 Ballamy became the first jazz musician to receive the prestigious Paul Hamlyn Composer’s Award.
As a soloist Ballamy has performed ‘Concerto for Stan Getz’ by Richard Rodney Bennett with the BBC Concert Orchestra and premiered Gary Carpenters Saxophone concerto ‘SET’ on Radio 3 with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in 2014.
Commissioned pieces for the London Sinfonietta, Apollo Saxophone Quartet and Joanna MacGregor form part of Ballamy's diverse catalogue of works.
Career highlights include playing with Loose Tubes, Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Hermeto Pascoal, Django Bates, Kenny Werner, Gil Evans, George Coleman, Cedar Walton, The Karnataka College of Percussion, John Taylor, Ian Shaw, Claire Martin, The Britten Sinfonia, Gay Dad, Everything but the Girl, Mike Gibbs, Carla Bley, John Dankworth etc.
As an educator, Ballamy currently is visiting professor at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and The Royal Academy of Music who made him Hon ARAM in 2014.
Photo: Dave McKean
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“Ballamy’s is a melodic thoughtful style, born out in beautiful original tunes.”
“Intensly melodic, eventful and full of surprises... The beauty of tone that Iain Ballamy gets is certainly one of the joys of the current scene, and his concern with creating it echoes Stan Getz’s.”
“Technically flawless performances.”
“A major international voice.”
“Ballamy does indeed have a unique sound that owes little to the usual sax masters.”
“Ballamy’s melodies may one day be seen as legendary, as they are inspired and searching, with an amazing care for detail... A disc by which others will be judged.”
“Iain Ballamy emerged from the Loose Tubes stable with an entirely unfashionable saxophone sound (he didn’t sound like John Coltrane) based on scurrying, low-register, clarinet-like figures, a delicate tone and an urgent, but sparingly used upper register wail. He doesn’t sound like anyone else on the British scene.”