Nathan Henshaw
Dr Nathan Henshaw is an internationally renowned saxophonist recognised for his ability to excel in a great diversity of genres and styles. His commitment to promoting the musical multiplicity of the saxophone has resulted in the creation of numerous new works for saxophone, across a broad range of styles.
From solo classical performances to jazz gigs, Nathan’s work as a freelance musician has seen him perform with a diverse range of outstanding performers, such as Tim Minchin, Ben Folds, Randy Newman, Richard Gill, Eddie Perfect, Christine Anu, Claude Delangle, Niels Bijl, Mario Mari, Arno Bornkamp, Andy Scott and more. He has also performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Opera Victoria, Compass, Continuum Sax, Chronology Arts, and SBS Television and Radio Orchestra, Heavy Metal Quartet, Sax Summit, Sydney Saxophone Collective and Rarefied Air. He is currently Principal tenor saxophonist with the NSW Police Band. Nathan is also a member of the Nexas Quartet: one of Australia’s leading Chamber Music Ensembles.
Nathan has toured extensively within Australia and overseas playing at many prestigious concerts and festivals including; World Saxophone Congress (Croatia, Scotland and France), European Saxophone Congress (Portugal), Australian Saxophone & Clarinet Conferences (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Australian Chamber Music Festival (QLD), Manly Jazz Festival, Sydney Festival to name a few.
He has completed a Doctorate, Masters and Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. His postgraduate research topics examined the use of Zen philosophy as a compositional and interpretive device in Western saxophone music (Masters) and research into the interpretive challenges faced by classical musicians (particularly saxophonists) when required to perform works in a jazz style and developing interpretive methodologies for classical players to use.
Nathan teaches and lectures in saxophone across the country. He currently teaches at the Sydney Conservatorium Open Academy Rising Stars Program, Saxophone Academy Sydney and runs a private teaching studio.
As an experience pedagogue Nathan has taught, presented workshops and masterclasses at many educational institutions such as Queensland Conservatorium, Sydney Conservatorium, University of New South Wales, Australian Institute of Music, Central Coast Conservatorium, Barker College, Sydney Girls & Boys High Schools and various regional conservatoriums. He also has adjudicated for various exams, auditions and Eisteddfodau such as Sydney Conservatorium, Conservatorium High School and Toowoomba Eisteddfod.
Nathan is a Selmer (Paris), D’Addario & Silverstein Works artist.
