Results for "Alto Saxophone"

Christopher Burnett

Born: November 2, 1955

Saxophonist, educator, and military band veteran Christopher L. Burnett is known for his warm and lyrical jazz sound. Following a 20-plus year military career during which he taught and performed, Burnett embarked on a fruitful career teaching at a university and became a performer. He continued to perform in his native Kansas, releasing albums like 2013's Time Flies, 2014's Firebird, and 2021's The Standards, Vol. 1.

Born in Olathe, Kansas, Burnett grew up in a military family. Consequently, he moved often before settling in the Kansas City area. Along with his older brother, drummer Richie Pratt, Burnett was exposed to music growing up. His mother introduced him to the piano and he was a member of the youth choir at his church. As part of his school band program, he took up saxophone and clarinet. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Music Program where, along with performing, he continued to pursue higher education, studying at the Armed Forces School of Music, Webster University, Missouri's Columbia College, Berklee College of Music, and American University. Burnett spent over 22 years in the military, rising to the distinguished rank of First Sergeant in the position of Enlisted Bandleader. While in the military he held numerous positions, including a staff and faculty assignment at the Armed Forces School of Music. He was also the Leading Chief Petty Officer of the NATO Band in Naples, Italy. There, he served as NATO Ceremonial Band Conductor, directed the jazz band, and performed as a featured soloist. Other assignments included being selected to play the lead alto saxophone chair with the West Point Military Academy Band's Jazz Knights, selection for assignment as a Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal Conductor at the Armed Forces School of Music, and being a featured soloist with the Hof Symphony Orchestra in Germany. By the time he left the military, he had been awarded both the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Army Meritorious Service Medal.

Melvin Quinones

Born: November 6, 1973

Melvin Quinones, also known as Melvin Llord, started studying saxophone by age 11, with the idea of someday playing in the local church's band. He never made it to that group, but that didn't discourage him from his passion for music. By the age of 15, he was recording music with local bands and slowly gaining popularity as one of the best sax players in western Puerto Rico. At 17, his talent was discovered by Andrew Ruiz, one of the most popular band directors in Puerto Rico, who quickly extended him an invitation to play with international Latin star Wilkins. At a young age, he shared the stage with Puerto Rico’s finest artists, such as Marc Anthony, Ednita Nazario and Gilberto Santarrosa, among others. He joined the 248th Army Band at 19

George Winstone

Born: June 17, 1994

Born in London, the rising star saxophonist George Winstone relocated to New York City in March 2019, bolstered by the endorsements of music legends Chick Corea, Jacob Collier, Ben Monder, and Chris Potter.

An artist whose technical prowess serves a decidedly spiritual commitment, Winstone is a powerful player and composer whose ensembles have been featured at London hotspots Ronnie Scott’s, Jazz in the Round at the Cockpit Theatre, the Verdict, and the Vortex, as well as in New York at the esteemed ShapeShifter Lab and Ornithology Jazz Club. After releasing his first EP in 2018, Outer Spaces, Winstone’s work met critical acclaim, with All About Jazz calling him a “future star in the making” and Bebop Spoken Here praising his “floating, ephemeral sound that drifts like a cloud.”

François Carrier

Born: June 5, 1961

Alto saxophonist and improviser François Carrier is definitely going his own way. Carrier singular vision has led him to maintain a wide recorded presence all over the world. His rich, deep playing that blends lyricism with boldness and a sense of surpassing one’s self has earned him a place in the Annual International Critic’s Poll of El Intruso of El Intruso 2018, 2017 as well as 2015 and in the DownBeat’s 2013 Best Alto Sax Players List. In 2001 he won a Juno Award in the Best Contemporary Jazz Album category for his third album Compassion (Naxos Jazz). To date, François combines an impressive discography of over 35 internationally acclaimed albums with legendary musicians such as Paul Bley, Gary Peacock, Bobo Stenson, Tomasz Stanko, Uri Caine, Jason Moran, Dewey Redman, Mat Maneri, Sonny Greenwich, Jean-Jacques Avenel, John Edwards, Steve Beresford, Rafal Mazur, etc

Vernau Mier

Born: June 8, 1994

Vernau was born in Girona in 1994 and is now based in Basel, Switzerland. He began to study classical guitar and violin, starting saxophone later at the age of 11. Three years later he became acquainted with Dani Alonso, with whom he discovered jazz and started the JBBG (Youth Big Band of Girona), which has since become a cornerstone of the Girona jazz scene. At the age of 18, he moves to Barcelona to pursue a degree in jazz performance at the ESMUC and starts his first project, the Vernau Mier Quintet. With this quintet, he records his debut album Nebuloses d'Azimut live at the Sunset Jazz Club, featuring original compositions