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Busking jazz prodigy's cash bid

Aug 16 2009 by Paul Loraine, Sunday Sun

A GIFTED jazz prodigy is raising funds for a new instrument by busking with his dad.

Alexander Bone with dad Steve

Alexander Bone, 12, passed his grade eight in jazz saxophone when he was just 10.

A year later, he passed the London College of Music Diploma in jazz, making him one of the youngest players in Europe at that level.

The youngster, a pupil at Hurworth House school in Darlington, also plays the piano, drums and clarinet.

Recently, he has been trying to raise the funds to add the flute to his list of instruments by busking on Northumberland Street in Newcastle with his dad Steve, calling themselves Saxobones.

Steve, a professional musician, said: “We really enjoy playing together. We play jazz standards - songs by Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock and others.

“It’s not just the fact that I’m spending time with him but I also love listening to him, we bounce ideas off one another.

“People in Newcastle keep commenting and saying nice things about his playing. I’m extremely proud of him.”

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