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Neil Welch
Saxophonist Neil Welch is a Seattle-based improviser, acoustic and electronic artist, curator, composer, recording artist and educator. His practice is firmly linked to the natural world, welcoming inspiration from the abundant wildernesses of the Pacific Northwest. These influences are sonically reflected by a measured use of space and activated silence, with such specialized techniques as multiphonic-acoustic chord playing, microtonal pitch content, and air/wind-based sound. He is also a deep practitioner in the sculpting of a compelling melody, played on horn voices ranging from soprano to bass saxophone. Neil’s performance and recorded works focus largely on current musical forms, with a strong emphasis on improvisation. He is a member of the acclaimed saxophone + electronics / drum duo Bad Luck, and Wayne Horvitz’s Royal Room Collective Music Ensemble. As a solo artist, Neil also particularly welcomes the emotive vulnerability of unamplified acoustic solo saxophone improvisation. Neil embraces the power of community collaboration in the arts, often exploring varied ensemble instrumentations and interdisciplinary practices. He was a founding member of the Racer Sessions series (est. 2007 - 2024) and curator artistic curator (2014-16). Neil is currently a member of the collectively run Gallery 1412 artist space. With 7 solo releases and appearances on 60+ albums to date, Neil’s playing unabashedly embraces a vastness of sonic possibility. All About Jazz calls his work "stunning and extraordinary” and Downbeat Magazine calls Neil "an impassioned player.” Neil is committed to expanding the saxophone's role in modern music through new performance collaborations and exploratory sound craft. He has performed with artists from widespread musical genres, some including: rock band Godspeed You! Black Emperor, indie rockers Darto, Sheridan Riley, and Cataldo, mid-century jazz throwback duo Rachael and Vilray, modern composers Wayne Horvitz and John Teske, jazz drum masterBrowse all performers