Jack is a saxophonist currently living in Melbourne, Australia. He has a Bachelor of Jazz Saxophone with first class honours from the Australian National University in Canberra, graduating in 2004.

Over the years Jack has performed and recorded with ensembles of all sizes and styles, playing all saxophones, flute and clarinet. Whilst in Canberra (2001-2004) he performed in jazz ensembles, soul bands, latin groups Mi Tierra and Kumaye, and with the Canberra School of Music orchestra conducted by Nigel Westlake. In Canberra Jack also began his teaching career at Bellchambers music school and St Francis Xavier College.

He moved to Byron Bay in 2004 to tour the East coast of Australia with Lisa Hunt's Forever Soul performing at the Blues and Roots Festival in 2005.

Following this Jack moved to London (2005-2009) where he continued performing in jazz ensembles at clubs (such as the Bulls Head, the Spice of Life and Ronnie Scott’s) and festivals (London Jazz Festival). He was a founding member of original jazz projects Organum and Arcade 51 and worked with Gwyneth Herbert, the Niel Cowley trio, Alex Curtis Septet and the Dan O'niell Band. He was also a long standing menber of the London Jazz Collective recording their debut album 'Dark Humour' in 2007.

Whilst in London Jack also performed with funk and soul bands Funkify and Hulagroove, and recorded Gizelle Smith's Debut album on Mocambo Records. He worked with US caberet performers Justin Bond and Lady J at the Purcell Room on Southbank and toured the UK and western Europe with Ska/ Hip Hop band Imperial Leisure performing alongside the Youngblood Brass Band.

Jack taught woodwind throughout his time in London working for the Merton Music Foundation in Wimbledon schools, Theme music in North London and as a freelance teacher all over the city. This teaching included the preparation of students for ABRSM exams, ABRSM jazz and Trinity jazz exams involving improvisation, student performances and in school workshops both with Merton Music and his band Imperial Leisure.

During his stay in the UK Jack had the chance to attend teaching development days and study privately with Bennie Wallace (US) and Tony Kofi (UK).

Jack now lives in Melbourne, performing with various jazz ensembles, his original jazz project “Bill’s Pig Sty Fury”, and with latin bands Songo Sorongo, and Tierra Nueva . He is currently teaching woodwind and ensembles at various schools in Melbourne.

© jackbeeche.com 2010