Tobias Delius (born 15 July 1964) is a tenor saxophonist and clarinettist.

Early life

Delius was born in Oxford, England, on 15 July 1964. His mother was German and his father was Argentine. Delius was brought up largely in England and Germany. He switched from clarinet to tenor saxophone at the age of sixteen, and played with local bands.

Later life and career

Delius played in Mexico for eight months before joining the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam in 1984. He did not complete his studies there, which included lessons with Misha Mengelberg and Paul Stocker, but developed his reputation with improvisers in the area. He joined Available Jelly in 1989, Trio San Francisco and other bands that included Daniele D'Agaro and

Sean Bergin Sean Bergin (29 June 1948 – 1 September 2012) was an avant-garde jazz saxophonist and flautist from South Africa. Bergin was born in Durban on 29 June 1948. He was a saxophonist, flautist, composer, educator and bandleader. In his youth Ber ...

in 1992, and toured with Louis Moholo in 1992–93. He also co-founded a quartet with Han Bennink, Larry Fishkind and

Tristan Honsinger Tristan Honsinger (born October 23, 1949) is an American cello player active in free jazz and free improvisation. He is perhaps best known for his long-running collaboration with free jazz pianist Cecil Taylor and guitarist Derek Bailey. Born ...

in 1990. Fishkind was later replaced by Joe Williamson in this band, which employs a "method of improvising suites utilizing written themes introduced democratically by any member". Delius was awarded the 2003 VPRO/Boy Edgar Award.

Playing style

'' Grove'' wrote: "Delius produces a sumptuous timbre reminiscent of Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster, which he combines with a decidedly modern and slippery harmonic and rhythmic conception. He phrases over bar-lines as his harmonic extensions blur the edges of chord changes, and he uses varied dynamics to dramatic effect. He is a consistently deft improviser in both traditional and free settings."

References

External links

CD reviews - Tobias Delius

ICP Orchestra Homepage
{{DEFAULTSORT:Delius, Tob 1964 births Living people English jazz saxophonists British male saxophonists English jazz clarinetists 21st-century saxophonists 21st-century clarinetists 21st-century British male musicians 21st-century English musicians 20th-century saxophonists 20th-century British male musicians 20th-century English musicians British male jazz musicians ICP Orchestra members