Ultimate Influence:
Jesus Christ.
Musical Influences:
Kirk Whalum, Warren Hill, Euge Groove, David Sanborn, Candy Dulfer, Ed Calle, Nelson Rangell, Richard Elliot, Najee, Dave Koz, Michael Lington, Michael Brecker, Gerald Albright, Chris Botti, Paul Taylor, Mindi Abair, Steve Cole, Eric Marienthal, Andrew Oh, Nestor Torres, Eric Darius, Everette Harp, Jeff Kashiwa, Peter White, Acoustic Alchemy, Boney James, Bob James, Four Play, Paul Simon, Sting, Phil Collins, Tower Of Power, The Harris Bros of NYC, Chops Horns, Alicia Keys, EWF, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Incognito, Brand New Heavies, John Mayer, James Morrison, Kristiania, Hillsong, The Stirring, my family and all the great friends I've worked with over the years.
Sounds Like
I hope it sounds original and distinctive but I would be happy to be compared with other saxophonist in the smooth jazz genre such as Kirk Whalum, Everette Harp, Gerald Albright, Warren Hill, Steve Cole, Nelson Rangell, David Sanborn etc... I have a great respect and admiration for every one of them.
Thanks for visiting my myspace. For those of you who don't know, as of October 2007 I will be relocating back to Sydney, Australia for a while. The last 18 months in London has been a terrific success and I've had the great privilege of working and performing with many great artists in the UK and elsewhere. But before I head back downunder I will be making a short stop in the US to perform at this year's Catalina Jazztrax festival with UK's own Oli Silk. Oli is a fantastic musican and producer and last year was voted by smooth jazz news -" 2006 Best New Artist." We will be performing a selection from Oli's debut album "So Many Ways". So if you're in the Los Angeles area be sure to come and check it out.
Also, if you want to hear some of the other things I've been involved with in the last couple of years check out - Bump City's Myspace (Funk) and Scat's Myspace (Gospel Jazz) - in the friend's list below. You'll be able to hear me playing solos in quite differing genres.
All the best to you for the rest of the year,
God bless,
Gary
Brief bio:
Originally from Sydney Australia but now living in London, Saxophonist Gary Honor has worked with many great artists in Australia and abroad, his musical talents has seen him record and perform with the likes of Dale Barlow (ex Art Balkey's Jazz Messengers), world renown jazz trumpeter James Morrison, Frank Bennett and Sydney All-Star Big Band, Jeff Duff and the Phophets, Peter Morgan and BumpCity, Jonathan Bulter, members of the Tower Of Power, Chops Horns, Hillsong Music, the Australian Fabulous Blues Bros Show, The Enormous Horns, 'Oh Boy' The Buddy Holly Tribute, and supported UB40's 2004 Australian tour,
2000-2004: Gary worked for the Australian Navy Band as a soloist and in various ensembles from Wind Orchestra to Big Band and Show band.
In 2004, after discharging from the service, Gary produced and released his first solo CD project- "Atmospheric" with tracks from the CD award in the top 5 for the Australian instrumental song contest.
2005 saw Gary co-producing the Tower of Power Tribute album - "On T.O.P. downunder" with his Sydney based band - BumpCity who has been recently seen performing on Australian TV and in support of the Supremes Tour Australia 06 tour.
2006 marked some change as he relocated to London in early March but before he left he worked with the Australian Gospel-Jazz outfit - "SCAT", who had been awarded best new Jazz group at the American Gospel Music Awards.
Since landing in London Gary quickly established himself in the scene and has been seen working and recording for Groove Grand Central, The Noize, Catherine Taylor Dawson, Zen Fm, Wild at POP and also performing in musicals.
He also began work on his second solo release of which you can hear tracks above. He is also working on collaboration project which will be revealed shortly.
As 2007 arrived Gary travelled to the USA where he had the opportunity to meet and hear some of his all time heroes. After being seen perfomring in a competition on the 2007 Smooth Jazz Cruise he was invited to perform with the legendary No.1 Smooth Jazz guitarist -Peter White. He also was invited to play with the house band on the cruise - The Sound Connection from Washington DC.
Back in the UK, Gary also continued working with keyboardist Oli Silk in both London (Ascot) and Manchester and has been working the studio for artists such as Groove Armada and Trinity Stone.
2007 also saw Gary being invited to perform in Romania for the Bucarest Theatre Festival. Gary was featured in a 4-piece chamber ensemble on Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo and Soprano Sax. The musical was a new piece by James Michalos called "An Assylum On Every Corner" and was critically acclaimed by all who attended.
Gary also continued working and travelling all over England, Scotland and Wales with function bands Groove Grand Central and The Noize.
In July, Gary had the opportunity to travel to Moscow where he was playing on a bill with Joe Cocker and Johnny Gil (The New Edition).
Most recently Gary has been preparing for some performances in the US with Oli Silk at this year's Catalina Jazztrax Festival as well as in Temecula on a double bill with saxophonist Candy Dulfer.
For more information on Gary's music and the groups he played with, visit his website at www.garyhonor.com
Hey Gary,Jus stoppin by to hear you play....ahhhh thats better..ps your page is cool. I hope you had a chance to check out my page at www. myspace. com/sebastianthomasmusic Peace, Sebi Thomas
really diggin' your sound here in Vancouver, Canada...I was trying to convince Oli to come up here, if he does someday I hope your free for the ride...thanks for hookin' me up to your site man.
Happy Holidays! I've just released my first ever Holiday CD, "Six String Santa" and it's only available here, online. Please visit my homepage to order a CD or download and let us be a part of this years Christmas party! Thanks, Jeff
