Biography Andy Mackay

Andy Mackay is a saxophonist, oboe player, widely-respected film and television composer, and founder member of Roxy Music. Mackay was one of the architects of Roxy's daring sonic and stylistic combination of retro and futurism, but before long was also experimenting outside the group discipline. He first worked on Eno's solo album 'Here Come The Warm Jets' in 1973 and the following year, recorded his own LP 'In Search Of Eddie Riff'.

In the mid-70s, he worked on the music for television series including 'Rock Follies', 'Armchair Thriller' and 'Hazell', collaborating on the latter with seasoned blues singer Maggie Bell. He also played sax on the first pop promo made by Godley and Creme, 'Wide Boy'. In 1978, a trip with his wife Jane to China inspired a second solo album, 'Resolving Contradictions'.

In the 80s, he worked with Phil Manzanera in the Explorers, and played on records for the Pet Shop Boys, Japanese musicians Masami Tsuchiya and Yukihiro Takahashi, Italian singer Enrico Ruggeri and Duran Duran spinoff Arcadia.

Early in 1992, following the sudden death of his wife, Andy suspended most musical activity to bring up his children, but resumed composing in a computer/ digital suite at home in early 1993 and completing the music for two series of Carlton's 'Class Act'. In 1998 he re-created early Roxy tracks with contemporary musicians Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Jarvis Cocker of Pulp and Bernard Butler for the soundtrack to 'Velvet Goldmine'.

He is currently recording and performing as the leader of Andy Mackay + The Metaphors.

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