sometimes we want to fight things that are naturally how life goes, and there's nothing you can do about it, you accept your fate
beat by Bailsxc

Letter To Old Me - Interlude (BEAT by Bailsxc)

Who said getting the groceries had to be boring?

Epic grocery shop

Andreas van Zoelen is many things—a saxophonist, conductor, professor, collector, and researcher—but above all, he’s someone who follows his curiosity wherever it leads. As a professor of classical saxophone at Fontys Academy of the Arts, he shares his knowledge with students from all over the world. But his passion for the saxophone extends far beyond the classroom.

His journey into the world of rare and historic saxophones started unexpectedly when, as a young student, he laid eyes on a dusty baritone saxophone hanging in his teacher’s music room. That moment sparked a lifelong obsession, leading him to acquire his first antique saxophones—an early 1900s alto with two octave keys and a Conn straight-neck C melody. His collection grew steadily, one instrument at a time, evolving into something he never quite anticipated: a full-fledged saxophone museum. Not one to keep knowledge to himself, he built an online home for his collection, saxophonemuseum.online, where enthusiasts and researchers can explore the history of the instrument in depth.

Beyond collecting, Andreas is an active performer and collaborator. He joined the world-renowned Raschèr Saxophone Quartet in 2014, taking over the tenor saxophone role from founding member Bruce Weinberger. With the quartet, he has traveled the globe, performing and leading masterclasses. He has also worked with major orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic and the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, and has collaborated with artists like Stewart Copeland and Markus Stockhausen. As a soloist, he’s recorded over 40 albums and championed new music—more than 140 pieces have been composed specifically for him.

His academic pursuits are just as impressive. In 2021, he earned his PhD from Vrije Universiteit Brussel, focusing on the Raschèr saxophone tradition and its connection to Adolphe Sax’s legacy. His research has also led to a well-regarded book on the saxophone’s history in the Netherlands, and he regularly contributes articles to international publications.

As a composer and arranger, Andreas has worked with ensembles and orchestras worldwide. Notably, Arvo Pärt personally approved his saxophone arrangements, and he has collaborated closely with composer Fazil Say. His passion for historical performance extends to Edition Sax, an ensemble dedicated to performing early saxophone repertoire on instruments built by Adolphe Sax himself.

For Andreas, the saxophone isn’t just an instrument—it’s a gateway to history, art, and endless discovery. Through performance, teaching, research, and collecting, he’s dedicated his life to exploring every corner of its rich legacy and sharing it with the world.

Andreas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-van-zoelen-010987b/
Andreas's website: https://vanzoelen.eu/
Fonty's website: https://www.fontys.nl/Over-Fontys/Wie-we-zijn.htm
Saxophone museum online: https://saxophonemuseum.online/about/


Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
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Andreas Van Zoelen - Keeper of Saxophone Secrets, Collector of Stories

Mark.walmsley

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