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Jeff Miguel

Jeff Miguel - Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Band Leader

About Me

Jeff Miguel is a saxophonist that currently teaches and performs in the Denver metro area. He recently received his Master of Arts Degree in Music – Emphasis in Jazz Studies from the University of Iowa and won the 2016 Downbeat Graduate Student Music Award for Best Blues/Pop/Rock Soloist. All About Jazz describes him as an “expressive” saxophonist, “like a seasoned veteran poised to establish himself as musician of note.”

In May of 2015, Miguel released, as a leader, his “expertly arranged” (Pulse Magazine) and “auspicious debut” (Midwest Record), Perseverance. The album features all original compositions of a variety of styles and influences. Miguel has taken an approach in composition and arranging that “focuses on melody and sophisticated chord progressions to express himself” (Little Village Magazine).

Miguel also has a passion for performance that includes a multitude of genres in addition to jazz such as R&B, Reggae, Rock, Hip-Hop, and Funk. Performing has taken Miguel to The Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, The Crypt Jazz Club in Cape Town, South Africa, and countless other venues.

Originally from northern Illinois, Jeff studied Biology as an undergraduate at the University of Illinois, undertook research at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and spent several months studying in the Galapagos Islands. He spent the year after his bachelors serving in Americorps, and subsequently decided to follow his passion by returning to school to study music. He now works full-time in music as a performer and educator.

Miguel teaches students of all ages and abilities, and specializes in woodwinds, jazz improvisation, and theory. Some of his past students have gone on to win prestigious soloist awards, achieve top seats in classical and jazz all-state festivals, and attend well respected universities for musical studies. In the past, he also co-directed the University of Iowa Hawkeye Big Band and taught Introduction to Jazz Improvisation at the University of Iowa.