Gallery
Gerard in the TA Band aged 7/8
Gerard is sitting with a clarinet, front row fourth from the left. Picture taken beneath the flyover in the Bogside, Derry @ 1973
The Sting
Gerard was self-taught on the saxophone before going to the Royal Northern in Manchester. Here is a picture from his debut playing Green Onions with The Sting at Derry's The Venue in 1983. L-R. Willie Carson, Gerard, Johnny Watters, Micky Watters and drummer "Ducksy" McDonald.
Gerard with Saxtet in 1990
Gerard did a world tour with Saxtet in 1992. They started in Bombay and ended in Hawaii. He was a member of the group for three years and gave over 200 performances. This photo was shot for the album cover of their first CD called Montage.
Gerard with huge horn
In October 2010 Gerard was a jury member of the world's greatest saxophone competition, The Adolphe Sax International Saxophone Competition in Dinant, Belgium. Sadly the great illuminated display of huge saxes from all over the world had to be cancelled due to rain. Here is Gerard with the Irish one.
Saxtet Singapore 1992
Saxtet toured to India, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and Hawaii in 1992. Here they are with the Gerry King designed T-Shirts at the Raffles Hotel, Singapore.
Saxtet - Sarawak
Gerard was a member of saxophone quartet Saxtet for three years 1989-1992. In 1992 Saxtet did a world tour. This photo was taken on a longhut in Sarawak, Borneo where the group performed for the Bidayuh.
Baku Opera House, Azerbaijan 1999
In October 1999 Gerard represented the UK at the Visions of Britain festival playing two concertos and several other works with the Opera Orchestra. The event was broadcast on television.
Gerard with Craig Ogden
The photographer Carolyn Cowan normally shoots artists naked. This was Gerard and Craig's reaction to the idea.
Gerard with Craig Ogden
Gerard's duo with guitarist Craig Ogden has produced two albums and live broadcasts for the BBC and RTE. This is from a set shot by Gerard's favourite photographer Carolyn Cowan.
Gerard McCrystal
Image from photo session for album "Meeting Point" on Silva Classics label.
Gerard McCrystal
Photo by Carolyn Cowan.
Soloist with NYWO
Rehearsing with The National Youth Wind Orchestra of GB with conductor Jim Gourlay. Gerard was guest soloist for their Irish tour in 2003. Incidentally Gerard tutored Focus on Saxophones courses for NYWO for over 10 years.
With Fred Hemke
Kyle Horch and Gerard were both former students of Dr. Frederick Hemke, Northwestern University, USA. Pictured after Fred's masterclass at the Royal College, London March 08 where Fred worked with students of Kyle and Gerard.
Ulster Orchestra poster
Gerard gave several concerts as soloist with the Ulster Orchestra in 2003. Later that year he appeared with them performing to over 5,000 people at the BBC Proms in the Park.
Saxophone series
Go to www.camdenmusic.com for information on Gerard's saxophone series.
Philharmonie Szchecin
Banner in Szchecin, Poland for Gerard's concerto performance in the Philharmonie during March 2008 where he performed concertos by Glazunov and Dave Heath. Note Gerard's new birth place!
World Sax Congress soloists 2003
With fellow soloists Nobuya Sugawa/Bill Street and Steve Mauk at 2003 World Sax Congress. Gerard has to date performed concertos with orchestra at world congresses in Minneapolis, USA and Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Billboard Szcheci
Posters in Szchecin, Poland for Gerard's concerto performance in the Philharmonie, March 2008.
Smith tour posters
Posters for the Music Network tour of Ireland with the Smith Quartet.
Aveiro Saxophone Festival Portugal
Gerard collaborated in a concert with the fabulous Quad Quartet in May 2008. He also worked with 20 local saxophonists. This photo was taken after the final concert.
With the Soweto String Quartet, Johannesburg
In 1999 Gerard collaborated with the Soweto String Quartet for a special performance in Johannesburg sponsored by the British Council. The British Council have sent Gerard to perform in Korea, Indonesia, South Africa, Azerbaijan and Gerard also performed at the opening of their new building in Berlin.....since closed!
With Harrison Birtwhistle 2000
Gerard worked with Harrison Birtwhistle and performed his saxophone concerto Panic at Dartington in 2000. R-L Gavin Henderson (Dartington International Summer School Director), percussionist Richard Benjafield, Gerard, conductor Steve Dummer and Harrison Birthwhistle. Photo taken in Great Hall, Dartington.
Mícheál ÓSúilleabháin
Gerard with composer Mícheál ÓSúilleabháin in a pub in Tipperary after the first concert of the the Music Network Ireland tour with the Smith String Quartet.
The Giant's Causeway with The Smith Quartet
On the last day of the tour of Ireland with The Smith String Quartet we took a trip to the world famous Giant's Causeway. Here we are standing on the Giant's organ.
Gerard with Philip Glass in concert
On July 18th 2008 Gerard performed with Philip Glass to an 800 sold-out audience in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dundalk. They performed Facades. Gerard had to learn to circular breathe for this performance. photo: www.me-me-me.se
Gerard with Philip Glass rehearse
On July 18th 2008 Gerard performed with Philip Glass to an 800 sold-out audience in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dundalk. They performed Facades. Gerard had to learn to circular breathe for this performance. photo: www.me-me-me.se
The Royal Welsh College Saxophone Ensemble
Gerard with the sax dept at RWCMD, Cardiff before a gig at the Wales Millenium Centre. Gerard has been tutor of saxophone since 1998.
Wales Millennium Centre performance
Performance with Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff at the Wales Millennium Centre.
Gerard and Philip Glass
This photo was taken prior to Gerard's performance of Facades with Philip Glass. photo: www.me-me-me.se
Gerard with Simon Mulligan
Gerard and pianist Simon Mulligan on their way to their first gig together at Beaminster Festival on a stop at Stonehenge.
SaxoCannon
SaxoCannon from Debussy Rhapsody CD for Chandos
Pic with PMs
In March Gerard was invited to the House of Commons to meet the Prime Minister David Cameron and Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny as part of his ambassadorial role for Derry-Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013.
Sons and Daughters 2013
In Jan 2013 Gerard performed at the gala opening concert of Derry-Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013 to an audience of 3000 people. Over 11,000 applied for tickets! The event was broadcast on BBC NI.
Yani Debut
In October 2013 Gerard gave his first performance with a Yanigisawa 992 soprano as part of a new endorsement with Yanigisawa Saxophones.
Performance at International Choral Festival
Saved by an elastic band!
A green elastic band saves a sell out gig with guitarist Craig Ogden in Provence, France.
Setting for Provence gig with Craig Ogden
The lovely setting for a sell-out concert in France with Craig Ogden.Two minutes after the pic is taken I nearly write off my Selmer mark vi soprano. Due to having to fly Ryanair I had to use a soft case and the sax fell out just before the gig, a sofa it hit first saved it from being written off. Although damaged an elastic band saved the day!