Rompduo - Barry Cockcroft and Adam Pinto share a passion for new works, particularly Australian music. Since forming in 2000, rompduo has given regular premieres and continually encourage composers to write for them. Together they have made a significant impact upon the development of Australian concert music for saxophone & piano. Barry Cockcroft studied in Bordeaux, France and travelling has become an integral part of his musical life. His innovative compositions are amongst Australia’s most performed pieces for saxophone and he has played with various orchestras in Australia and Malaysia. Adam Pinto, pianist and composer, maintains a busy performing schedule both as chamber musician and soloist. He has been broadcast regularly and performs in new music festivals throughout Australia. The creation of new works is important to rompduo and they believe strongly in touring, promoting, publishing and recording these compositions. In 2007, the duo released two CDs including Crazy Logic, a recording of new concert works and Hinterland, a recording of exclusively Australian Works. Rompduo participated in a 3 month residency at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada and in 2011 toured in Europe performing in France, Germany and the UK.

Pianist and composer Adam Pinto currently resides in Perth, Western Australia and tutors for the School of Music at the University of Western Australia. He performs regularly both as a chamber musician and as soloist in venues and Universities throughout Australia.

He has performed as soloist with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Elandra Ensemble and Ensemble Vertigo in Perth. He has recorded as soloist and in chamber music, for broadcast by the A.B.C.

His keen interest in new music has seen him premiere works by many Australian composers, and perform in New Music Festivals across Australia. He has become a sought after accompanist, working with Australian and international soloists, and as an associate artist at instrumental festivals throughout Australia. He also accompanies advanced performance students at the University of Western Australia.

Adam graduated with first class honours from the University of Western Australia where he studied with Mark Coughlan. He then went on to receive a scholarship at the Australian National Academy of Music, where he studied with visiting artists such as Nicolai Demidenko and John York and travelled to Italy where he performed to other renowned teachers. In Melbourne he also received an Australian Postgraduate Award, studied with Associate Professor Ronald Farren-Price OAM and completed a Master of Music degree at the University of Melbourne.

a stunningly virtuoso reading by Adam Pinto who steered a sure and nimble way through this musical minefield as, at the work's many explosive climaxes, he hurled great chunks of sound into the auditorium.
Neville Cohn - The West Australian.

Visit Barry's website at barrysax.com

Barry Cockcroft is regarded as one of Australia’s finest saxophonists and his innovative compositions can be heard throughout the world. He has performed with various Australian orchestras and has been a regular guest with the Malaysian Philharmonic. For 10 years he has performed with Perth pianist Adam Pinto in Rompduo performing concerts both in Australian and abroad. Together they have recorded 9 albums and undertaken 5 national tours. Barry has appeared at major events including the Melbourne Festival, the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, the Brisbane Festival and international saxophone events in Australia, Italy, Spain, Canada & Thailand.

Barry studied in Australia with Dr. Peter Clinch for 5 years and for 2 years in Bordeaux France with renowned saxophonists Jacques Net, Marie-Bernadette Charrier and Jean-Marie Londeix. He graduated from the Bordeaux conservatoire with the coveted Medaille d’Or, the first prize for classical saxophone performance. Barry has completed two long-term residencies at the Banff Centre for the Arts, Canada and has received regular support from the Australia Council for the Arts.

Barry has given masterclasses and performances at major Universities and music schools across Australia. A keen supporter of developing musicians, Barry has written several pedagogical books that continue to influence the development of thousands of young Australian musicians every year. Barry has over 140 published works all of which are available from Reed Music. He has acted as a repertoire consultant on Australian music and is a member of the International Saxophone Committee, supporting the triennial World Saxophone Congress.

Captivating, quirkily humorous and technically demanding, Barry’s compositions have seen successful adoption into mainstream saxophone literature. His music focuses on the integration of contemporary saxophone techniques into well-known genres, structures and rhythms. The combination of familiar sounds with new ideas has allowed wider audiences to enjoy and understand his music.

Barry’s tireless mission has been to encourage other musicians to perform Australian music. Barry’s close association with more than 80 composers has led to the publication of more than 800 new works over the past 15 years. In Australia, saxophonists are now performing hundreds of these new works in music exams, school performances and university recitals with active professionals regularly programming the works. Abroad, the music of Australian composers can be heard played by the world’s leading concert artists. Barry has encouraged composers writing the most advanced concert music for the saxophone to remember also the developing players who require a stimulating and original repertoire of their own.

An enthusiastic traveller Barry has visited over 60 countries and continues to compose and perform. For more information please visit barrysax.com, reedmusic.com & rompduo.com.