Saxophonist Samuel Beddard and pianist Jo Foote weave together folk stories through a rich programme of music from across the globe, exploring a variety of cultural voices. Every concert is unique, taking audiences on a one-of-a-kind historical globe-trotting adventure through music.
Hailed as a “tour de force of saxophone playing” and praised for “tone like that of a songbird”, British saxophonist Samuel Beddard is a versatile and knowledgeable performer, arranger, and educator.
Following his soloistic debut at Leicester’s De Montfort Hall in 2024, Samuel went on to curate Saxophony, celebrating the musicians of his formative years in an acclaimed one-off concert. Samuel’s debut recital project, What Shapes A Soul?, is currently touring across the UK at over twenty venues throughout 2025 and 2026 alongside pianist Jo Foote, culminating in a debut album recording at the famed Hammerwood Park.
Samuel has premiered works by composers Steve Marshall, Steven Banks, Alastair Penman, Mick Foster, André Faria Serra and Lucy Holmes, and in collaboration with choreographers from the London Contemporary Dance School at The Place Theatre.
Samuel was appointed Director of Music of Christ Church, Waltham Cross in 2025, and has since founded their monthly lunchtime concert series, bimonthly evening concerts, and their summer music festival.
He holds the position of Chairman of the Broxbourne Arts Forum, overseeing the borough’s arts programme. Samuel also has a residency at St Augustine’s Church, Broxbourne, co-directing their Respite services and founding their organ scholarship scheme.
As an arranger, Samuel has written for international soloist Jess Gillam, conductor John Harle, the Guildhall Saxophone Ensemble, Trinity Laban Saxophone Choir, Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra, Benslow Saxophone Course, the Bauhaus Band, and the Leicestershire Schools Music. He also works as an arranger for Jenni Watson.
Samuel has performed with ensembles including the Guildhall Saxophone Orchestra, the Bauhaus Band, Street Orchestra Live, the Royal Marine Band Service, and the RAF Squadronaires.
He is a passionate educator, working for Junior Guildhall and the Leicestershire Schools Music Service.
Jo Foote was born in Lancashire, and studied piano, recorders and flute from the age of 6. She went on to study music at Manchester University, specialising in piano performance and accompanying.
After moving to Rugby 19 years ago, Jo has been involved with many aspects of the local music scene, including repetiteur work with operatic and choral societies, directing music for local theatre productions, and working with young people through the local music service, schools and St Andrew’s Parish Church.
She performs and accompanies regularly in the local area, and is currently chair of the long-standing Rugby Musical Union. Jo also sings alto in Sine Nomine Choir, and is the founder of Rugbylele, Rugby’s premier ukulele band.
She has a busy freelance piano teaching practice and is a lecturer in performing arts at Warwickshire College.