Atlantic London ยท Our story
A city of character.
An individual voice.
Created with purpose. Shaped by experience. Made to become part of your sound.
Where it begins
More than
an instrument.
Atlantic London was created from a belief that a great saxophone should be more than a beautifully made object. It should have a sound and personality of its own, inspire the player and become more familiar over time.
We wanted to create saxophones with warmth, depth and character, which respond freely and allow the playerโs individual voice to come through.
That thinking shapes both the way our instruments play and the detail of their design.
A lifetime around saxophones
It starts with
understanding players.
Leading Atlantic Londonโs development is Jamie Straker, former Managing Director of SAX (Sax.co.uk). Jamie grew up surrounded by instruments in music shops, where the relationship between a musician and a saxophone was part of everyday life.
Over more than two decades, he worked closely with world-class musicians, educators and master technicians. That experience brought an understanding of how much the small things matter: the response of a note, the feel of the keywork, and the confidence an instrument gives its player.
Atlantic grew from a desire to bring that experience into a new generation of saxophones. The aim was to draw on the qualities that make the most revered instruments so inspiring, and develop a voice and identity unmistakably our own.
Research & development
Five years.
One clear purpose.
Drawing on that experience, we spent five years developing saxophones with warmth, depth and subtlety, balanced by the projection and immediacy that todayโs professional musicians need.
Those qualities have to work together. A broad, resonant sound should still feel free and responsive, with the same control and sensitivity at quieter volumes.
That balance is at the heart of Atlantic: saxophones that feel instinctive beneath the fingers, respond freely and give players the space to express themselves.
Our city. Our character.
Inspired
by London.
Atlantic began in London and is still based here. The city remains a constant source of inspiration. Its music scene, the players who shape it, its architecture, art and history all influence the way we think about our instruments.
The city brings together different styles, cultures and generations. You hear it in the music and see it in the buildings and galleries, where established traditions sit alongside new ideas.
We draw on that mix in the sound, feel and design of our saxophones, combining the qualities we admire in older instruments with our own approach.
The human touch
A story written
in every line.
The artwork is only the beginning. Hand engraving gives it depth and presence on the instrument itself, with each line guided by the skill of the engraver.
Our two specialist engravers bring more than 50 years of combined experience to their craft. One cuts the main outlines; the other develops the intricate fine detail. The Duke takes around seven hours to engrave by hand.
Preserving the skill of hand engraving matters to us. The time and care involved are an important part of each finished instrument.
Explore the art of engraving โThe Atlantic London sound
Warmth when you lean back.
Energy when you push.
We set out to create a sound that is balanced, resonant and versatile. Give an Atlantic saxophone space and it responds with full-bodied warmth and depth. Push it further and that warmth opens into sizzle, energy and a rich range of harmonic overtones.
The aim is to give players a wide range of expression, from a warm, rounded tone to a more forceful edge, with a consistent response throughout.
Courtney Pine CBE
An individual voice in British jazz.
Ray Gelato
A distinctive presence in swing and jazz.
Michael Wilbur
The energy and expression of Moon Hooch.
Atlantic saxophones are played by musicians from very different musical worlds, including Courtney Pine CBE, Ray Gelato and Michael Wilbur of Moon Hooch. Each brings their own phrasing, sound and approach to the instrument.
Courtneyโs story with The Duke โOur story continues
in your hands.
Designed in London. Made to be played. Discover an instrument with character, and the freedom to make it your own.
Meet the instruments