Each of the four members of Flotilla are among the leading lights of the British saxophone community:

After studying at Northwestern University (Chicago) with Frederick Hemke and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London) with Stephen Trier, Kyle Horch made his London debut in 1989 on the Park Lane Group series. Since then he has performed as a soloist at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, British and World Saxophone Congresses, and numerous other venues in this country and abroad. His two CD recordings on the Clarinet Classics label, ChamberSax and AngloSax, have received international praise from reviewers; he has also recorded John Carmichael’s Aria and Finale on ABC Classics, and the 2006-7 Grade 8 saxophone syllabus for the Associated Board. Kyle’s work as a freelance musician has involved him in performing across a wide range of orchestral, contemporary, chamber, and light music. He has worked with many well-known ensembles including the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Composers Ensemble, London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Royal Opera House, Philharmonia Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony, London Musici, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Mistral and Paragon Saxophone Quartets, Counterpoise, and Piccadilly Dance Orchestra. He is saxophone professor at the Royal College of Music in London. www.kylehorch.co.uk

One of the finest of Britain’s younger generation of saxophonists, Naomi Sullivan studied at Chethams School, the Royal College of Music, and Northwestern University. She has won numerous awards and prizes in the UK, Europe, and the USA, including with the Countess of Munster Trust which supported her postgraduate studies in Chicago and with whom she is a regular performer on the Trust’s recital scheme. She is also a regular recitalist on the Live Music Now! scheme. Naomi is a member of the Paragon Saxophone Quartet, with whom she has appeared on three CD recordings, Tuning In, Les Quatuors, and Byrdland. She is also a member of Zephirus, which won the chamber music section at the Royal Over-Seas League competition in 2007. Other chamber and orchestral playing has included engagements with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Halle Orchestra, and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. She teaches saxophone at Birmingham Conservatoire and the Purcell School.

Born in 1963, Andrew Tweed studied clarinet and saxophone at Birmingham Conservatoire. Upon leaving his studies he joined the groundbreaking group Saxtet, which since 1988 has taken him all round the UK, Europe, three times to the USA and a six-week world tour in between TV and radio appearances. As a soloist, Andrew released his debut CD, Spiritualise, in 2005 on the Big Shed Music label. A versatile freelance musician, Andrew has also worked with the CBSO, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, English Symphony Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchstra, London Musici (Rambert Dance Company), Theatre Alibi, Piccadilly Dance Orchestra, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra and The Syd Lawrence Orchestra as well as performing regularly with Britain’s premier accordionist, Karen Street. His compositions are published by Saxtet Publications and Boosey & Hawkes and appear on the Associated Board syllabus. He was Artistic Director of the 2005 British Saxophone Congress and endorses Keilwerth Saxophones. He teaches saxophone at Birmingham Conservatoire and Wells Cathedral School.  www.andytweed.bigshedmusic.co.uk

Alistair Parnell entered the Royal College of Music, London, in 1984 where he studied saxophone with Stephen Trier and piano with David Ward. During his time there he won many prizes including the College Woodwind Prize and the Concerto Prize. He formed and led the Mistral Saxophone Quartet, which became one of the UK’s most successful saxophone ensembles and performed at the Purcell Room and several British Saxophone Congresses. In 1997 he released his first solo compact disc Going Solo which features Alistair playing saxophone, piano, keyboards and electronic wind instrument. He followed this with another solo recording, Winter Solstice, in 2005. Freelance work has included engagements with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, the Tribune Saxophone Octet, the Equinox Sax Ensemble. Alistair is guest conductor of the Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra, and he is Visiting Scholar for saxophone at Nottingham University. www.aparnell.com