In this interview, the British jazz saxophonist Julian Costello discusses his life, music and the motivation behind his new album, which brings together an unusual combination of instruments and instrumentalists, in a jazz-meets-world-music fusion. All the musical excerpts in the interview are taken from the album.
Julian Costello is a musician, composer and teacher from London. He writes the music for various ensembles and, in his own words, ‘tries to approach life with humour.’
Growing up in Chelsea, Costello originally trained as a drummer, playing with saxophonists such as Derek Nash, Matt Wates and Pete Long, while also working in a record shop. When Costello was given a saxophone at the age of 19, it soon became his primary instrument – a passion stoked by his admiration for musicians such as Jan Garbarek and John Coltrane. He studied at Trinity College of Music, before embarking on a career as a freelance saxophone player. In 1995 he recorded his first album, Tea and Scandal, with a quintet on Avid Records. A track from it was later used by Channel 4 News as the music for a 5 minute documentary about refugees.
For several years he worked as a music teacher in North London – first as Head of Music at Henrietta Barnett school and later at South Hampstead High School. But in the early 2000s he went part-time, and started playing his saxophone again. He has since released several albums.
The Julian Costello Quartet has released two albums on 33 Jazz Records. Transitions 2017 and Connections 2020.
His new album is due for release in summer 2024.
To see Julian Costello’s upcoming gig schedule, click here.
- Read: Jazz inspired by classical music: 5 of the best pieces
- Read: Review of Basquiat: Boom for Real – an exhibition of work by the jazz-inspired artist