Ramsden is a prodigiously gifted saxophonist –good chops, beautiful
sound, plenty of power and even more imagination. Richard Palmer Jazz Journal
A consummate saxophonist and a talented composer, Ramsden spent one
year at Leeds College of Music, after which he joined singer/songwriter Tom
Robinson, touring and recording with him, and having some success with the hit
single “War Baby”. He has also played with Jimmy Witherspoon, NYJO, Loose
Tubes, Dudu Pukwana and Bert Jansch. Ramsden eventually settled in London, and
has since released two well-received albums, Above the Clouds and Tribute to
Paul Desmond. The Rough Guide to Jazz - Ian Carr
This haunting duo album was recorded live and unedited in St Thomas’s Church, Clapton
Common, London with Lodder playing
the Church organ and Ramsden producing ravishing sonorities on the soprano
saxophone.
The lyrical brooding timeless atmosphere is sustained throughout. The Rough Guide to Jazz
A truly beautiful and original collection of Ramsden compositions,
baroque and thirteenth century dance it won praises from The Wire to BBC music
magazine with a heartfelt ‘amazing’ from Nigel Kennedy along the way.
Jazz UK - Brian Blain
Tribute to Paul
Desmond
…a wonderfully expressive, airy alto player. Breezy, instantly
accessible, but with a hint of the graininess that produces pearls. Jazzwise
- Chris Parker
The Spin, OxfordReview:14th October 2004
MARK RAMSDEN
Mark Ramsden identifies with fellow saxophonist Art Pepper's 'real cry of pain',
and no wonder. He is a man who plays like an angel and cavorts with the Devil.
To say he lives on the wild side would be an understatement. Shaven-headed and
liberally tattooed, he is one-time editor of the Fetish Times, author of The
Sacred Blood and two other books, and trans-gender cabaret artiste who plays in
a band whilst 'prancing around in six-inch heels and a 24-inch corset'. He
finds jazz musicians 'conservative' and maybe a relief from his other excesses.
Musically, he opened with 'Estate' and sent some of the audience into
ecstacy with his fine balance between presenting the melody and digging deep
into the solo. At the end of 'All The Things You Are' which was high energy
throughout, he shrugged in acknowledgement that he ran out of breath at
the end on the high F which was an octave above normal range; he had no more
left to give. When a player goes that far out on the edge, imperfection is art.
Ramsden is a sensual and bluesy player who experiments more than most with
the notes he plays, and achieves many different tones. The Spin is one of his
favourite gigs - the acoustics and pa are good and the other players create
space for him to play.
His CD 'Above The Clouds', which features soprano sax and church organ, has
sold an astonishing 19,000 copies; He knows his non-musical interests can
offend, but like many great players, he simultaneously revels in them and is
tortured by them. He pays the price; we reap the rewards. Was it ever thus.
MARK RAMSDEN
