Jesse Bannister
About
I’m a professional saxophonist and improviser with 35 years of experience, specialising in tone, technique, and creative approaches to improvisation. My teaching combines jazz, modal language and Indian classical concepts to help you build a confident, expressive voice on the saxophone — whether you are a complete beginner, returning player or an experienced musician.
I have been playing professionally for 35 years across jazz, Indian classical and intercultural music, performing internationally and collaborating with leading artists from the UK and India. My work focuses on tone, improvisation and the creative meeting of musical traditions.
I bring this experience directly into my teaching, offering a clear pathway for students who want to develop not just technique, but artistic identity, confidence and musical fluency. My approach is supportive, patient and encouraging — I teach all ages and levels.
Teaching Style
My lessons focus on helping you develop a strong, flexible sound and a clear understanding of how to improvise with freedom and confidence.
We can work on:
Tone development and breath control
Technique, articulation and phrasing
Modal and harmonic concepts for improvisation
Jazz approaches to language, rhythm and groove
Indian classical ideas (rāga, melodic contour, micro-phrasing)
World-music and contemporary improvisation
Learning how to play expressively, not just mechanically
Building repertoire and your personal style
Lessons are personalised, structured, and paced to your needs.
Absolute beginners, intermediate players and advanced improvisers are all welcome.
You’ll be a good fit for my lessons if you are:
A beginner wanting clear guidance and relaxed, supportive teaching
An intermediate player wanting better tone, technique or improvisation skills
A jazz musician wanting fresh modal ideas and rhythmic development
A classical musician wanting to learn improvisation
A composer/producer wanting new sonic and melodic approaches
A musician interested in Indian classical or modal music
An advanced player wanting tailored artistic development
Credentials & Affiliations
PhD in Music from The University of York 2024
Degree (Jazz and contemporary with Honours) from Leeds College of Music 1994
25 years teaching in Higher Education throughout the world
35 years teaching music in schools
Selected Projects
Composer: Darbar Academy Schools Piano Darbar Festival, UK.
2023-24 Composition commission for National Portfolio Organisation. Three works for piano, and creation of video lessons for use in teaching Indian music on piano.
Composer: In Tune Jesse Bannister, Arts Council funded individual.
2020-21 Contemporary classical acoustic album and wellbeing research project. Composed 12 works for 19th century Steinway piano tuned to Just Intonation.
Performer: Confluence Sutapa, Kolkatta, India.
2019 Indian music ensemble USA 20 date tour. Traditional Indian saxophone, sarod and tabla in international venues in USA.
Composer: Kreiz Breizh Akademi Drom, Breton, France.
2018-2022 Indian Music on Breton Instruments. Weeklong residencies teaching Indian music and composing works for Breton Folk Ensemble, directed by Erik Marchand.
Artistic Director: Sacred Spaces. Jesse Bannister, Arts Council funded individual.
2017 Composition, film, wellbeing and dance production.
Composer/Band leader: Play Out Darbar Festival, UK.
2014 Arts Council funded Jazz Quartet. Composed and recorded 9 works for Jazz Quartet, alongside Grammy Winning bassist Kenny Higgins, Mobo winning pianist Zoe Rahman and Mercury Prize nominated drummer Seb Rochford. Concerts included Alchemy festival at 600-seater Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Educator/Director: IMOWI. Jesse Bannister, Arts Council funded individual.
2012-18 Formed organization Indian Music On Western Instruments (IMOWI), teaching weekly classes and delivering four summer schools for elite level professional musicians.