Wednesday 11 February 2026
2.30pm
Silk Street Music Hall
Saxophone Masterclass with Chris 'Snake' Davis
Programme
Snake Davis will begin the masterclass with a lecture/demonstration on Mind, Body & Instrument.
Dire Straits
Your Latest Trick
Imogen Cookson | saxophone
Matt Carmichael
Beckoning Night
Sam Beddard | saxophone
Steps Ahead
Self Portrait
Joe Pollard | saxophone
Duke Ellington
Sultry Sunset
Emily Plumb | saxophone
Snake Davis
Snake Davis is a saxophonist who has played with the best in the business through a career spanning three decades. Yet, it wasn’t until he reached the age of 20 that he picked up his first saxophone.
Funded by busking and gig money, he enrolled on the diploma course in jazz and light music at Leeds College of Music. It was there that he met and made many of his life long friends, gained the great experience of disciplined ensemble playing and Snake Davis and his Alligator Shoes, the much loved nine-piece soul band was formed, playing 60’s soul music with the sax taking the vocal parts.
After college, Snake spent several years travelling, playing on cruise boats and briefly setting up home in Brooklyn – getting tuition from hot players and visiting some of the best jazz clubs in America.
Back in England, he joined the soul revue band, Zoot and the Roots, started his long career as a session musician and first met Lisa Stansfield. The rest, as they say, is history.
To date, Snake Davis has recorded on more than 400 tracks for over 60 artists and the list keeps growing. Career highlights include tours with Lisa Stansfield, The Eurythmics and Japanese rock star Eikichi Yazawa; a long association with M-People and television appearances on The Tube, Tonight with Jonathon Ross, The Paradise Club, Tyne Tees and BBC 1 The One Show with Chris Evans, Alex Jones and Gary Barlow. Two of his students were BBC Young Musician of the Year finalists in 2014 and Jess Gillam was runner up in 2016. His single, Human Nature was Record of the Week on Jazz FM and No 1 on smooth jazz single charts on CDBaby. Snake's performances were included as part of the City of Culture celebration in Hull in 2017. In March 2020 the Covid-19 lockdown saw the start of Snake as an internet livestream artist, with 3 shows and a sax workshop each week throughout the period.
Snake plays soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, shakuhachi, flutes, whistles and vocals. He also composes and works as an educator, examiner and music director.

Forthcoming Events
Guildhall Jazz Orchestra with Julian Siegel
13 February 2026
Milton Court Concert Hall
The Guildhall Jazz Orchestra welcomes saxophonist and composer Julian Siegel for an exhilarating evening featuring music from his celebrated album Tales from the Jacquard (Whirlwind Recordings).
Guildhall Saxophone Ensemble
16 March 2026
Milton Court Concert Hall
Directed by John Harle, Barbican Snapshots celebrates the Barbican’s bold, utopian design through an immersive programme of music and video created for saxophonists, composers, electronic musicians and videographers.
Guildhall Jazz Orchestra: Modern Masters
19 March 2026
Milton Court Concert Hall
Guildhall Jazz Orchestra continues its Modern Masters series with a concert dedicated to the inventive spirit of Bob Brookmeyer – legendary trombonist, composer and educator.

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Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Founded in 1880 by the City of London Corporation
Chair of the Board of Governors
The Hon. Emily Benn
Principal
Professor Jonathan Vaughan FGS
Vice-Principal & Director of Music
Armin Zanner FGS
Contact Us
Silk Street,
Barbican,
London,
EC2Y 8DT
+44 (0)207 628 2571

Guildhall School is provided by the City of London as part of its contribution to the cultural life of London and the nation.
For assistance with digital programmes, please contact digitalprogrammes@gsmd.ac.uk
