PRESS

"The following night, a rara avis: saxophonist Vaughan Hawthorne-Nelson. Hawthorne-Nelson demonstrated that even the most familiar material, in the right hands, can be a springboard for passion-filled, personalised music- making of the first water. He is known as a disciple of the Coltrane-inspired spiritual-quest school of saxophone playing (his alto sound pure, earnest, intensely communicative), and, like his great mentor, he is capable of affecting the heart and mind in equal proportions. Gigs such as this are, to lapse into cliché for a moment, what the Vortex is all about." Chris Parker of The Vortex London 

The Gift, a sprawling album which borrows heavily from Coltrane’s music of the early ‘60’s. There’s the same epic sax improvisations allied to Vaughan smooth, treacly tone. The style is less abstract and more structured than Coltrane’s. Vaughan’s a great storyteller, with a strong melodic sense. His backing band help to sculpt an atmospheric setting. For the most part, this is a great spacey slice of modern British jazz. 

John Lewis 

Vaughan Hawthorne-Nelson, a brilliant young altoist, delivered some masterful interpretations of standards.... Hawthorne-Nelson’s profound respect for the masters (Ornette Coleman and Charlie Parker in particular) permeates every aspect of his performance….
Jazz News International 

Hawthorne-Nelson’s sax playing and his compositions relate so well to Mseleku’s fusion of jazz and classical piano that what emerges sounds like the result of a collaboration between John Coltrane, Duke Ellington and Maurice Ravel. At once purposely discordant and seamlessly complete, these works speak beautifully to the artists’ concentration on emotional engagement with their audience, calling a sort of musical time-out from the modern world.
Mark Brown – The Scotsman 

Vaughan Hawthorne-Nelson comes across as a very serious man and his music reflects that. His writing has emotional depth and his playing has the same intense, spiritual quality for which John Coltrane is remembered.  

Jack Massarik  Evening Standard 

He played the South Bank in September, alongside the gifted and eloquent South African pianist Bheki Mseleku, and it was an exhilarating show – with few of the weaknesses of early records. His remarkable sound could suggest a chorister’s voice at one moment, bagpipes on a Scottish lament the next, and he revealed an unexpected enthusiasm for Ornette Colemen’s vocalised sound and loose, freewheeling solo construction. His new CD, See You There, confirms that though Vaughan Hawthorne-Nelson has taken a long time to find himself and his audience, it’s been worth it.
John Fordham – The Guardian