Who are Splanky?
Splanky is an all-women saxophone quartet based in Gloucestershire. We are seasoned musicians with a diverse range of musical styles. Karen and Lee play soprano and alto saxophones, while Carolyn and Diane play tenor and baritone saxophones.
We are a group of friends united by our shared love of the saxophone, rather than just four musicians performing together. Our varied musical backgrounds include jazz, swing, blues, orchestral music, rock, pop, chamber music, and soul. Over the years, we have crossed paths in various big bands, but in 2023, we all played in the same section for the first time, which is when Splanky was born.
As performers, we blend the smooth, swinging music from our shared big band history with contemporary and orchestral sensibilities. Our enthusiasm led to our first recording session before the band was even a year old, and we have more artistic projects quietly planned behind the scenes.
We all enjoy being part of a quartet because each part is equally significant, and no instrument holds more prestige than another. We must act as our own conductor and rhythm section while conveying the melody and emotion of each piece.
We cherish the privilege of performing for an audience. Our extensive catalogue of music and vast experience allow us to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion. When discussing our repertoire, we often refer back to Rossini, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington, who have all been quoted as saying, “There are only two kinds of music: good and the other kind…”
Karen Wray
My musical journey began with classical piano training, during which I won a music scholarship and several competitions. As part of my formal music education, I later added cello and clarinet to my repertoire. By the age of 12, I was leading my school’s sax quartet on soprano sax and had also joined GYJO on tenor sax, performing professional-level big band charts. At this point, the saxophone became my favourite instrument!
My enthusiasm for learning has never diminished, and in 2018 I enrolled at Jazz School UK to study jazz language, theory and performance. Each month I attend workshops lead by some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians, including Nikki Iles, Dave O'Higgins and Alan Barnes to name but a few!
Lee Shaw
I started playing saxophone at the age of 21- I just went out and bought a tenor and took it from there. I was given my first taste of playing big band music with GYJO (on tenor) and discovered that I liked improvisation more than reading. Nothing much has changed! Nine years later, an imminent round the world trip to Asia, Australia and America meant I traded my tenor for an alto to make life easier
I have sung and played saxophone in a number of bands and duos covering jazz standards through to pop and rock. I now play tenor in the Glevum Big Band and the birth of Splanky encouraged me to pick up the soprano to play alongside my alto. I love all three!
Diane Arthurs
At the age of 13, I made a bold switch from bassoon to tenor saxophone, and I’ve never looked back. My enthusiasm for big bands and jazz flourished through the local Youth Jazz Orchestra, leading me to play tenor and baritone with various big bands along the way.
With a background in music education, I taught full time for many years. Now, I confidently divide my time between education and live performances, showcasing my talent in my own jazz duo quartet, as well as collaborating with tribute and funk bands. My primary focus? It’s definitely Splanky
Carolyn Folley
Starting with the oboe and the classical grade route through school I still very much enjoy the orchestral sound however, from playing in concert bands and listening to a wide variety of music, the big band sound got my attention and I soon took the plunge to move across to the saxophone and into jazz
I have played tenor sax for various local big bands through the years and to mix this up with the baritone as one quarter of Splanky has been an opportunity too good to miss. That beefy beast is my latest venture and playing with like-minded friends across a range of styles is both fun and continues that never ending journey of self improvement
All-Woman Saxophone Quartet