Josie Simmons

Biography

Josie Simmons is a versatile saxophonist, composer and educator who studied classical saxophone at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

She has performed as soloist with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and was commissioned by Sarum Chamber Orchestra to write and perform her own saxophone concerto. Other classical orchestras and ensembles include the Brandenburg Sinfonia and Guildford Philharmonic plus chamber groups Marici Saxes and the Cellorhythmics.

As a performer, she has played a variety of genres and collaborated with many eclectic artists which include Planningtorock, Yazz Ahmed, Joan As Police Woman and Darvra’s Wave at venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, St Martin In The Fields, Purcell Rooms, Vortex Jazz Club and BBC Television Centre. Josie has also pre-recorded or performed live on various radio stations which include BBC Radio 3, Classic FM, Radio X and BBC Radio 2.

As a composer, she manages, writes and publishes her compositions and arrangements on the website saxmusicscores.com and her music has been aired on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Solent plus performed in several countries including the UK, Canada, China, Norway and France.

As an educator, Josie works at several schools, has lead projects at the University of Surrey and regularly coaches sax ensemble workshops for both children and adults with her colleagues from Marici Saxes.