Geoff heads east to Essex to catch up with an old friend — the award-winning jazz saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, and recording engineer Derek Nash.

What happens when a lifelong love of saxophone meets decades of sound engineering expertise? Derek Nash's musical journey provides the perfect answer.

From the moment 12-year-old Derek heard the Pink Panther theme played by a tenor saxophonist during his father's BBC radio broadcast, his path was set. Though his career would take a 20-year detour through the technical corridors of BBC sound engineering, music remained his true calling. Eventually, Derek left the BBC to establish his own recording studio (the aptly named ‘Clowns Pocket’) and pursue his saxophone career full-time.

The conversation reveals Derek as both a consummate musician and skilled sound engineer with remarkable stories of recording some of Britain's jazz legends. He speaks fondly of producing Jamie Cullum's first album, working with George Melly, Digby Fairweather, and creating multiple albums with Stan Tracey. His technical expertise combined with musical sensitivity made him particularly skilled at working with singers, developing a diplomatic language to guide performances while maintaining creative relationships.

When discussing improvisation, he offers fascinating insights into how jazz vocabulary develops through listening and transcription. His approach to soloing has evolved to become as natural as driving – focused on the musical journey rather than technical mechanics. During a performance of Gerry Mulligan's 1950s standard ‘Walkin' Shoes’ (accompanied by the Quartet app), he demonstrates his creative process, explaining how he thinks about theme and variation, melody contour, and responsive playing.

The conversation concludes with quick-fire questions that reveal Nash's personality beyond music – from favourite sandwiches to performing at the Royal Albert Hall, his preference for flat ninth chords, and his excellent advice for young musicians: "Play any kind of music anywhere…” to discover preferences and build valuable networks.

Join us for this illuminating conversation with one of Britain's most versatile saxophonists, whose musical journey continues to evolve after decades in the jazz world. Whether you're a musician seeking inspiration or simply love the stories behind the music, Derek Nash delivers wisdom, warmth and musical insights in equal measure.

Presenter: Geoff Gascoyne
Series Producer: Paul Sissons
Production Manager: Martin Sissons
The Quartet Jazz Standards Podcast is a UK Music Apps production.