Thomas Webster
Thomas is a professional saxophonist with a background and classical and improvisational music. He completed multiple AMEB exams as a teenager before going on to complete a Bachelor of Contemporary Improvisation at Victorian College of the Arts (VCA, Melbourne University). He has been performing professionally in Melbourne since 2012. Some of his career highlights thus far include receiving radio air play, touring Perth, performing at the Moomba festival several times and performing in the notable jazz clubs Bennetts Lane and Paris Cat.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, and growing up in England, Thomas has had a culturally diverse music journey. He has studied and played a range of musical styles including Senegalese West African music and Carnatic South Indian classical music. In 2016 he travelled to Chennai, India and received a months’ worth of lessons from Dr Kadri Gopalnath, the first Carnatic musician to translate the art form onto the saxophone. In 2019 Thomas completed an Honours of Music (also VCA), in which he researched the applications of Carnatic rhythmic structures into contemporary western compositions, graduating with first class honours.
Thomas believes the saxophone is an ideal instrument to learn improvisation, as its lyrical quality can be incorporated into any musical style. This same lyrical quality lends itself well to established traditions, whether classical, jazz or other traditions. Thomas takes a balanced approach in his teaching, focusing equally on learning fun pieces whilst strengthening the musical and technical skills required for students to ultimately teach themselves any piece they like.
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