Britain’s Got Talent success gives saxophonist Julian Smith sleepless nights.
The 39-year-old musician was so blown away by the standing ovation he received at his Birmingham audition that his nerves are all-of-a-jangle.
And knowing that, with a little luck, he may bag himself a coveted slot in the Live Show stage of the competition… the pressure is on.
Says Julian, “I haven’t slept much since my audition and if it carries on like this I won’t be able to operate if I get further in the competition”.
“I’m delighted to have made it through the first stage of Britain’s Got Talent.”
“If I get further, I promise I will work so hard I won’t have any time to sleep. This is the biggest opportunity I’ve ever had”.
Despite training as a classical musician, working as a session player and now teaching students his considerable craft, Julian sighs that the big time has so far eluded him.
“The biggest gig I’ve played until now would have been in Birmingham – I played for half an hour in Centenary Square”.
Although the crowd was big, the gig wasn’t quite what dreams are made of. Julian smiles ruefully, “It was New Years’ Eve and people weren’t there to see me – they were all there to see the fireworks, I guess”!
And experiences like that one have shaped the saxophonist’s future ambitions. He says, “I would love to do a gig where people have come to see you because they know you”.
‘In a few years time I’d like to have sold a lot of CD albums, and people would know me and know what I do”.
With sell-out shows all over the country he could showcase his trademark sound, which he describes as “a cross between Il Divo and Kenny G”.
And giving himself a moment to daydream, the son of a music teacher savours the thought of one day hosting his own shows. Julian Smith grins, “It would be amazing to play to audiences you don’t have to persuade!”
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