Sax for receptions, dinners and the dancefloor
A saxophonist plays solo over backing tracks, live over a DJ or in an acoustic duo - for wedding ceremonies, drinks receptions, dinners and the late-night dancefloor. Hear them first, agree the sets and sign one contract.
Updated 7 November 2026
A saxophonist is one player - usually alto or tenor sax - playing over backing tracks, live alongside a DJ, or as half of an acoustic duo. Sax suits the moments a band is too big: the ceremony, the drinks, dinner, and a short set over the DJ to lift the dancefloor. For other solo players see solo acts; for a full line-up see jazz bands.
Weddings · Drinks receptions · Dinners · Parties with a DJ · Corporate receptions. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
| When to BookSummer Saturdays and December go first - book 6 to 12 months ahead for a summer wedding, 3 to 6 for a corporate event, a few weeks for a weeknight. See how far ahead to book. |
| What Format WorksTypical shape: 2 or 3 sets of 30 to 45 minutes, at background volume for the drinks and dinner, louder over the DJ. Agree who brings the PA, whether the sax plugs into the DJ's mixer, the space and power, and any songs you want. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. Too loud for the room. Sax is a loud instrument - agree volume for dinner. 2. No link to the DJ. Check the DJ has a spare channel for the sax mic. 3. No songs agreed. Send the walk-in and first-dance songs early. 4. No breaks agreed. Agree the set times. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one. |
What each sax set-up is, and what it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
| Solo sax over backing tracksOne saxophonist with their own PA and tracks - a full sound from one player. Suits: Ceremonies, drinks receptions and dinners. |
| Sax over a DJThe sax plays live over the DJ's mix, usually through the DJ's mixer. Suits: Wedding evenings, birthdays and club nights. |
| Sax in an acoustic duoSax with a singer or guitarist - songs with a lead line. Suits: Drinks receptions, pubs and smaller parties. |
| Sax with a jazz bandSax leading a trio or quartet - see jazz bands. Suits: Dinners, galas and lounge bars. |
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and saxophonists of every size can apply.
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
| Wedding ceremony and drinksThe walk-in, signing and walk-out, then 45 to 60 minutes of background songs. Agree: The ceremony songs and the timings. |
| DinnerA background set over tracks between courses. Agree: The volume and where the sax stands. |
| Evening party over a DJOne or two 30 to 45 minute sets over the DJ. Agree: A spare channel on the DJ's mixer - see DJs to hire. |
| Corporate receptionSax on arrival, then over the DJ or tracks. Agree: The start time and the dress code. |
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
Real UK fee ranges from 5,063 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Pub / barFull band · Solo £162–£330 · Duo £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| WeddingFull band · Solo £271–£500 · Duo £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| CorporateFull band · Solo £281–£474 · Duo £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private partyFull band · Solo £250–£542 · Duo £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min)Full band · Solo TBC · Duo TBC | £200–£1,783 |
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
| At Last — Etta James |
| Make You Feel My Love — Adele |
| A Thousand Years — Christina Perri |
| Can't Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley |
| Perfect — Ed Sheeran |
| Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles |
| Fly Me to the Moon — Frank Sinatra |
| Take Five — Dave Brubeck |
| The Girl from Ipanema — Stan Getz and João Gilberto |
| Just the Two of Us — Grover Washington Jr. |
| Summertime — George Gershwin |
| What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong |
| Show Me Love — Robin S |
| Gecko (Overdrive) — Oliver Heldens |
| I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston |
| Freed from Desire — Gala |
| Mr. Brightside — The Killers |
| September — Earth, Wind & Fire |
| Careless Whisper — George Michael |
| Baker Street — Gerry Rafferty |
| Pink Panther Theme — Henry Mancini |
| Moondance — Van Morrison |
| Smooth Operator — Sade |
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
| Ceremony rooms and register offices — solo sax for the walk-in and signing |
| Country house hotels and barns — sax through the drinks reception |
| Marquees and gardens — a sax with a battery PA outdoors |
| Wedding evenings and birthdays — sax over the DJ for one or two sets |
| Members' clubs and bars — sax with a resident DJ |
| Restaurants and hotel bars — background sax over tracks (see live music for hotels) |
| Afternoon teas and brunches — a quiet solo set |
| Drinks receptions, awards dinners and product launches — sax on arrival, then over the DJ |
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
| 01 | FindFind acts or post your gigBrowse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network. |
| 02 | ShortlistReview applicationsArtists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing. |
| 03 | BookingBook and pay securelyOnce the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete. |
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers.
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Hire Saxophonists
A saxophonist plays solo over backing tracks, live over a DJ or in an acoustic duo - for wedding ceremonies, drinks receptions, dinners and the late-night dancefloor. Hear them first, agree the sets and sign one contract.
Last updated: 7 November 2026
Where to Book Saxophonists
GIGXCHANGE is where you book saxophonists direct in the UK. 7 saxophonists are on the platform, booked for weddings, drinks receptions, dinners, parties with a dj and corporate receptions. Listen to each act on their profile, message them before you commit, and every booking comes with a contract you both sign. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee, and the booking fee is 5% on top only when you pay through GigXchange – 0% when you settle privately.
A saxophonist is one player - usually alto or tenor sax - playing over backing tracks, live alongside a DJ, or as half of an acoustic duo. Sax suits the moments a band is too big: the ceremony, the drinks, dinner, and a short set over the DJ to lift the dancefloor. For other solo players see solo acts; for a full line-up see jazz bands.
Meet the Acts
Real member profiles you can listen to, message and book direct. Each card shows the act's line-up, where they are based and how to start a conversation.
Browse Saxophonists
All 7 saxophonists on GigXchange. Filter by line-up and region, then open a profile to listen and message. Every profile has a message button, and most carry music to play and a fee range.
Pick Your Sax Set-up
What each sax set-up is, and what it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
- Solo sax over backing tracksOne saxophonist with their own PA and tracks - a full sound from one player.Suits: Ceremonies, drinks receptions and dinners.
- Sax over a DJThe sax plays live over the DJ's mix, usually through the DJ's mixer.Suits: Wedding evenings, birthdays and club nights.
- Sax in an acoustic duoSax with a singer or guitarist - songs with a lead line.Suits: Drinks receptions, pubs and smaller parties.
- Sax with a jazz bandSax leading a trio or quartet - see jazz bands.Suits: Dinners, galas and lounge bars.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and saxophonists of every size can apply.
Saxophonists by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
- Wedding ceremony and drinksThe walk-in, signing and walk-out, then 45 to 60 minutes of background songs.Agree: The ceremony songs and the timings.
- DinnerA background set over tracks between courses.Agree: The volume and where the sax stands.
- Evening party over a DJOne or two 30 to 45 minute sets over the DJ.Agree: A spare channel on the DJ's mixer - see DJs to hire.
- Corporate receptionSax on arrival, then over the DJ or tracks.Agree: The start time and the dress code.
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
Booking Playbook
Weddings · Drinks receptions · Dinners · Parties with a DJ · Corporate receptions. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
When to Book
Summer Saturdays and December go first - book 6 to 12 months ahead for a summer wedding, 3 to 6 for a corporate event, a few weeks for a weeknight. See how far ahead to book.
What Format Works
Typical shape: 2 or 3 sets of 30 to 45 minutes, at background volume for the drinks and dinner, louder over the DJ. Agree who brings the PA, whether the sax plugs into the DJ's mixer, the space and power, and any songs you want.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Too loud for the room. Sax is a loud instrument - agree volume for dinner. 2. No link to the DJ. Check the DJ has a spare channel for the sax mic. 3. No songs agreed. Send the walk-in and first-dance songs early. 4. No breaks agreed. Agree the set times. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking has one.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 5,063 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Solo | Duo | Full Band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pub / bar | £162–£330 | £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| Wedding | £271–£500 | £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| Corporate | £281–£474 | £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private party | £250–£542 | £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min) | TBC | TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
Wedding ceremony / drinks reception
- At LastEtta James
- Make You Feel My LoveAdele
- A Thousand YearsChristina Perri
- Can't Help Falling in LoveElvis Presley
- PerfectEd Sheeran
- Here Comes the SunThe Beatles
Dinner / background
- Fly Me to the MoonFrank Sinatra
- Take FiveDave Brubeck
- The Girl from IpanemaStan Getz and João Gilberto
- Just the Two of UsGrover Washington Jr.
- SummertimeGeorge Gershwin
- What a Wonderful WorldLouis Armstrong
Sax over the DJ (house and party)
- Show Me LoveRobin S
- Gecko (Overdrive)Oliver Heldens
- I Wanna Dance with SomebodyWhitney Houston
- Freed from DesireGala
- Mr. BrightsideThe Killers
- SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire
The sax classics
- Careless WhisperGeorge Michael
- Baker StreetGerry Rafferty
- Pink Panther ThemeHenry Mancini
- MoondanceVan Morrison
- Smooth OperatorSade
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Where Saxophonists Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
Weddings
- Ceremony rooms and register officessolo sax for the walk-in and signing
- Country house hotels and barnssax through the drinks reception
- Marquees and gardensa sax with a battery PA outdoors
Evening parties
- Wedding evenings and birthdayssax over the DJ for one or two sets
- Members' clubs and barssax with a resident DJ
Dining and hospitality
- Restaurants and hotel barsbackground sax over tracks (see live music for hotels)
- Afternoon teas and brunchesa quiet solo set
Corporate
- Drinks receptions, awards dinners and product launchessax on arrival, then over the DJ
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
Find acts or post your gig
Browse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network.
Review applications
Artists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing.
Book and pay securely
Once the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete.
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 9 questions answered below run from “How much does it cost to hire a saxophonist in the UK (2026)?” to “We book saxophonists regularly. How do venues find new ones?”.
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