Carl Raven is one of the UK's leading saxophonists, recognised for a career that spans orchestral performance, chamber music, solo recital work, recording, teaching and arranging. He is Professor of Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), where he has established an international reputation for mentoring the next generation of saxophonists.
As a freelance orchestral musician, Carl regularly appears as Guest Principal Saxophone with many of the UK's finest orchestras, including the BBC Philharmonic, Hallé Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, Opera North, English National Opera, Northern Ballet and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. His work encompasses concert performances, broadcasts and numerous commercial recordings.
Alongside his orchestral career, Carl is an active chamber musician and contemporary music specialist. He performs with the Apollo Saxophone Quartet, Riot Ensemble, House of Bedlam, Ensemble 10:10 and has also appeared with the Michael Nyman Band and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group. His commitment to new music has led to collaborations with leading composers and performers, including appearances at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Aldeburgh Festival, Dartington, Kettle's Yard, Music in the Round, NonClassical, CoMA Festival and the World Saxophone Congress. As a soloist he has premiered numerous new works and performed concertos by Graham Fitkin, Howard Skempton, Malcolm Arnold, Michael Ball and Andy Scott, as well as collaborating with distinguished artists including Vincent David, Evan Parker and John Butcher.
Carl's recording career includes four acclaimed solo albums: Scenes from a Life, Music for Saxophones, Mémoire, Horizon and Malcolm Arnold's Saxophone Concerto for Naxos. His chamber recordings with House of Bedlam and the Apollo Saxophone Quartet have appeared on the NMC, Naxos, Ordedek and Turquoise Coconut labels, while his orchestral recordings include landmark releases with the Hallé, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
His versatility extends beyond the classical concert platform. Carl has performed and recorded alongside internationally renowned jazz musicians including Wayne Shorter, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Danilo Pérez, Bob Mintzer, Eric Marienthal, Julian Argüelles, Gwilym Simcock and Barbara Thompson. His theatre credits include productions of West Side Story, Into the Woods, Wonderful Town, 42nd Street, The King and I, Singing in the Rain, Light in the Piazza, Pacific Overtures, Kiss Me, Kate and On Your Toes. He is also active as an arranger, recording artist and remote session musician for television, advertising and commercial music projects.
Whether performing as a concerto soloist, leading an orchestral saxophone section, recording contemporary repertoire or teaching at the RNCM, Carl is committed to championing the full breadth of the saxophone's repertoire with artistry, versatility and imagination.
