Jazz RNCM Sax Day 2025 - with Branford Marsalis

[mrblackbat]

RNCM Saxophone Day - Royal Northern College of Music

The UK’s biggest annual sax gathering returns, and in its 25th anniversary year, the festival is headlined by one of the most influential figures in jazz and classical saxophone today: Branford Marsalis

www.rncm.ac.uk

Just seen that Branford is the guest for the RNCM sax day this year, two performances at lunch and in the evening! I’ll be going along!

 

[davidk]

See you there, I’ll be performing as part of the Saxophone Orchestra of Manchester.

 

[PiccoloPirate]

The Royal Northern College of Music, is a very classy name.
Juliesyard, pales in comparison. 🎶🏴‍☠️🎶

 

[trimmy]

It’s great that they’ve got a high profile player on the 25th Anniversary, but the price has significantly gone up !
Undecided as to pay the increase

 

[mrblackbat]

It’s great that they’ve got a high profile player on the 25th Anniversary, but the price has significantly gone up !
Undecided as to pay the increase

If you look at the ticket prices for the two shows, the full sax day itself is actually free, and in fact is even a discount! The evening gig is £33 for an adult ticket, lunch time gig is £18.

 

[Jeanette]

Not been for a few years but an enjoyable day. 🙂

 

[trimmy]

The evening gig is £33 for an adult ticket,

The evening gig has always been included in the day ticket, which was £35 last time i went (2yrs)

 

[mrblackbat]

The evening gig has always been included in the day ticket, which was £35 last time i went (2yrs)

Yes, but what was the price of the evening gig then? And who was doing it?

A ticket for a Branford gig isn’t going to be cheap - I’d pay the £33 face for that. So the full day ticket at £48 gets you the lunchtime show for £12 and the rest of the day for free…..

 

[trimmy]

Yes, but what was the price of the evening gig then? And who was doing it?

I did see Eric Marienthal a few years back at RNCM the day ticket included a masterclass in the daytime plus the evening gig.
Overall price was about £30-£35

The day ticket has always included all day classes afternoon gigs and evening gigs.
I know it’s a big name player (so is Eric) and you would pay a decent amount to see him live,
I probably will go but the pay structure of the day/night has changed from a few years ago.
A quote from a prominent player/lecturer suggests they’re not happy with the structure !

“Back in “the day” we would have had him as guest with the big band on the Saturday night! Such a great opportunity for the students missed.🥲”

 

[mrblackbat]

Well if you think it’s too much, don’t pay and don’t go.

Personally, in 2025, taking inflation into account, I think less than £50 for a day of masterclasses, two gigs of the calibre of Branford, the massed sax orchestra etc is extremely good value.

 

[skeller047]

Branford Marslis is, in addition to being a card carrying “M*****F***** of the Saxophone”, is extremely intelligent, thoughtful and well-spoken. I have never heard him say anything that wasn’t worthy of attention. If I were in the UK, or rich enough to fly there on a whim, I’d go in a heartbeat. And pay more than double that, gladly.

 

[PaulC]

I had the pleasure of seeing Branford with his band a couple of months back. Worth every cent.