Sarah started learning the clarinet when she was 8yrs old,quickly following this with the flute and saxophone. Sarah’s first teacher, who constantly encouraged and inspired her through the early years was Jeff Mason , who at the time was lead alto saxophone player with the Johnny Howard Orchestra. Sarah took her Grade 8 Clarinet by 13yrs, her Grade 8 Flute at 15yrs and followed this by Grade 8 Saxophone.

Sarah’s first playing experiences were with  local big bands, primarily the New Dorset Dance Orchestra. In this big band, Sarah was lucky to have played alongside saxophonists Bill Brown and Johnny Watmough. At the age of 13yrs, Sarah also was lucky to be invited to be a guest soloist with the Johnny Howard Orchestra playing the ‘Black Bottom’ and the ‘12th Street Rag’ on the clarinet. At 15yrs, while in a recording studio with the big band, Sarah was introduced to Tony Arnold who at the time owned a local studio, ‘Arnies Shack’. Tony was in the process of putting together and sponsering a local ‘pop’ band. This was the start of the next seven years of writing/recording/performing and ‘living’ in the studio, with ‘The Chase’, (changing its name later to ‘Sportsday’). The band was also used as ’session’ players, either together or individually for artists booked into the studio. Following  years of  contracts and support gigs, Sarah moved on to join all girl band ‘Persia’ (later changing its name to ‘Dear Jon’). This was another few years of support tours and recordings and promises!! In this time though they were featured on TV for being runner up’s in the Yamaha band competition and later Dear Jon went on to release a couple of singles. Sarah also started working with internationally acclaimed progressive rock band ‘Galahad’. This included being featured on four of their albums.

Throughout these years Sarah was also working full time in various careers including restaurant management/Trainer/book-keeper and a very happy 7 years working for Brake Bros as a sales manager. ‘Brakes was a great time for me, I met some lovely people, gained confidence and was luckily supported  with all my musical activities. Luckily Dave, my boss, had a passion for sailing, so he could understand my passion for music!’

After finishing full time employment on the arrival of Sarah’s second child Daniel, Sarah continued with several casual jobs until feeling ready and confident enough to return to the music scene. Sarah went onto play with 70’s band ‘The Nightcreatures’, ’The Blues Bros’ and more work with’ Galahad’, as well as solo work. By this time Sarah was searching for a new direction and after a  jazz course in London formed her  ’Not Just Sax’ with original member Ray Shea on piano. Sarah also  decided to further her musical education by taking a music degree course at Southampton University, specialising in Jazz Alto saxophone and classical soprano.Sarah graduated in 2008 with a well earned 2:1 and a BA in Music, with First’s on music performances in Jazz and Classical! In this time Sarah had a great time playing with SUJO- Southampton University Jazz Orchestra and went with them to perform at Montreux Jazz Festival.

Sarah currently works full time as an independant music peripatetic with just under 100 students , as well as running her successful band ‘Not Just Sax’ , working as a session player for other bands, pit orchestra’s and solo and duo work with various players. Sarah has also worked with singer Edana Mingella and has performed at the IOW Jazz Festival, Jazz On The Meadow (2010) , Newport Jazz Festival and Brighton fringes.

‘ Not Just Sax’ has gone from strength to strength and features Ray Shea still on piano, Pete Maxfield on double bass and Johnny Eyden on drums. All of the musicians have years of experience in the jazz field, including Pete touring with Andy Sheppard for 15yrs, Ray at Ronnie Scotts and on a support tour with Tubby Hayes and John being featured on radio 2 every day for two years with organist Harry Stoneham. ‘Not Just Sax’ have performed all over the south of England including ‘Stompin On The Quomps’ in Christchurch, Swanage Jazz Festival, The Woodman at Sevenoaks, Jazz On The Quay, the Bulls Head at Barnes and The Studio on the IOW. Recently singer Louise Clare Marshall (Jools holland singer) and Harry Skinner (Producers) have also added a different dimention by guesting with them.