Toby Barrett is a Melbourne-based saxophonist originally from Auckland, New Zealand. After studying Jazz and Improvisation at the University of Melbourne, Toby returns home to launch his debut album “Catharsis” through a series of shows around the North Island.
Toby has been fortunate enough to perform with renowned international and national artists such as Melissa Aldana, Danilo Perez, Jonathan Crayford, Roger Manins, Kevin Field and more. Toby performs regularly throughout Melbourne and has recently recorded his debut album under the mentorship of Julien Wilson, Andrea Keller and Brett Williams.
The album is inspired by Toby’s research into the appeal and paradoxical pleasures of sad music, using conceptual metaphors as a source for creative generation. Additionally, the music of Ben Wendel, Remy Le Bouef, JoeLovano, and other ECM recording artists heavily inspires the album. Toby (saxophone, FX) will be joined by Melbourne-based Will Ellerton (piano) alongside incredible Auckland-based musicians Tyler Diprose (upright bass) and Finn McNeill (drums). This is an incredible group of musicians that perform regularly throughout their local jazz scenes across Australia and New Zealand.
Toby Barrett is an emerging saxophonist and composer who is highly regarded in the New Zealand and Melbourne jazz scenes. After receiving several national awards at a young age, Toby completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of Auckland, followed by a Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the University of Melbourne.