Bio

Anton Delecca is a Melbourne-based saxophonist, composer and music educator with more than 35 years’ experience as a performer, recording artist, bandleader, lecturer and tutor.

Anton has taught saxophone and led ensembles at Scotch College Melbourne since 2022, working with students from beginner through to advanced level. His teaching includes instrumental technique, repertoire, musicianship, jazz improvisation, AMEB examinations, VCE Music performance, saxophone quartet and stage-band sectional direction.

He has also lectured and taught at Collarts, where his work included improvisation, contemporary music practice, aural skills, harmony, music history, ensemble performance and mentoring tertiary music students.

He is the musical director of two community ensembles at the Cross Street Music Hall, the Firefly Saxophone Ensemble and Big Band Frequency.

As a professional musician, Anton has released five albums as a leader, with a sixth album, recorded in New York in 2025, currently in production. He leads the Anton Delecca Quintet and is a member of the Paris Cat Big Band. He performed with acclaimed Melbourne group The Bamboos for 13 years, appearing on nine albums and touring throughout Australia, Europe, the UK, Japan and New Zealand.

His work has also included the touring production At Last: The Etta James Story in Australia and the UK featuring powerhouse vocalist Vika Bull. 

Anton completed a Master of Music in Jazz Studies at Queens College, New York. While living there, he performed and taught regularly, and served as a guest mentor at the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens. He has studied with Dave Liebman, Chris Potter, George Garzone, Antonio Hart, Tim Armacost, Rich Perry, Joel Frahm and Dayna Stephens.

He is a D’Addario Woodwinds Artist and recipient of a Music Victoria Award for Best Jazz Album.

Teaching Info

I’m available Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30pm – 9:30pm. My preference is Wednesday. I can travel to you on other days for an extra $20.

My approach is practical, encouraging and tailored to the individual. In the first lesson, we’ll play together and talk about what you enjoy, what you would like to achieve, and the areas that will make the biggest difference to your playing.

For beginners, lessons establish solid foundations: posture, breathing, embouchure, tone production, reading music, rhythm and the joy of playing music early on. I like to work with the Mark Walton method books ‘Off to a Great Start’.

For more experienced students, we can develop technical fluency, sound, phrasing, repertoire, aural skills, harmony, improvisation and confidence in performance.

Jazz improvisation is a particular passion of mine. I help students build an understanding of melody, harmony, rhythm and form, while developing the listening skills needed to play freely and expressively. This may involve learning tunes by ear, transcribing and adapting solos, exploring rhythmic ideas, or finding practical ways to connect theory with what you hear and play.

I also support students preparing for AMEB exams, VCE Music, auditions, performances and tertiary study. For students interested in playing professionally, I’m happy to share practical insight into ensemble playing, recording, writing and arranging, rehearsal preparation, and building a sustainable musical life.

Lessons are tailored to the student’s goals, whether that means learning great songs, developing a beautiful sound with solid technique, preparing for an exam or audition, or going deeper into jazz improvisation and creative music-making. I’m happy to schedule lessons weekly or bi-weekly depending on the student’s needs.

Above all, I want lessons to be musically engaging, appropriately challenging, and something students look forward to each time!