Results for "Saxophone"

Daniel Heffez

Mark Jackovic

Mark Jackovic, M.M., Jazz Education and Archives Manager at MCG Jazz, is an award-winning jazz performer with more than a decade of teaching experience. Jackovic holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Music Education from Duquesne University, with a major in K-12 general, choral, and instrumental music education. He also holds a Master in Music degree from Rutgers University, with a major in jazz saxophone performance.

Steve Stelmaszek

Len DeFrank

Warren Keller

Born: September 28, 1965

The child of a concert pianist and teacher, and a world-class operatic baritone, Warren began playing and singing early. His father, Howard Keller, blessed with an incredible baritone voice, studied with Carlton Gauld (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlton_Gauld). Warren's dear mother, Roslyn, apprenticed with several luminaries: Anatole Kitain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatole_Kitain), Constance Keene (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_Keene), and her husband Abram Chasins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abram_Chasins). As a teacher, 'Roz' was responsible for developing the talents of Joel Levine, musical director emeritus of the Oklahoma Philharmonic, and Sting’s occasional accompanist, Ken Helman. Warren has sung, played woodwinds (tenor/alto saxophone, flute), and written music on the New York City and Nashville music scenes. Warren was fortunate enough to have studied with the late, great Kenny Davern (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Davern), who began his career with Jack Teagarden, and was a multiple winner of the Downbeat Poll for soprano sax and clarinet. Three other master teachers were Gerry Orrico, fabulous alto sax and alto flute player for the Tex Benecke Orchestra and The Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas, vocal coach Marty Lawrence who taught everyone from Vicki Carr to David Coverdale, and guitarist Gary Talley of The Box Tops. Warren says that to have benefited from their level of musicianship humbles him. While playing classical clarinet and jazz sax with high school ensembles, he began his professional career with friends from New Jersey in the band 'Harper.' Though having aspirations of performing original music, they remained largely a cover band, albeit, one of the Jersey Shore's best. While the formative years from 1973-1979 were spent with this one act, Warren's singing, playing, and performing abilities were honed by the variety of styles they covered, and their extensive travels as a road band in the US and Canada. Beginning as a Chicago Transit Authority clone playing over 40 of their songs, Harper morphed into a Disco-Funk act, covering everything from Earth, Wind, and Fire, to Crown Heights Affair. It was at this time that Harper became the backup band of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer and Motown producer Terry Johnson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_%22Buzzy%22_Johnson) and his Flamingos ("I Only Have Eyes for You"). Their days with these veteran performers were both educational and fun. After Harper left Terry, Warren stepped out from his role as saxophonist, percussionist, and occasional singer, to become lead singer/front man. Harper evolved into a Top-40 hard rock act, doing Springsteen, Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Kansas, and Boston, as well as vestiges of their horn-oriented and funky past. In their final incarnation before Warren's departure in 1979, he had introduced the band to the new wave of the Clash, Elvis Costello, and The Cars.

Gianluca Esposito

Renato Cordovani

Renato Cordovani, clarinetist and saxophonist from Florence, dedicated his artistical life to performances and free improvisation in solo and with many other musicians (E.Ricci, T.Honsinger, F.Monico, N. Vernuccio, R.Geremia, G. Trovesi, M.Schubert, S.Bergin, M. Sabatini, among aothers), poets and actors (J.J.Lebel, F. di Francescantonio, M. Santini, Ottovolante, N. Rinaldi, among others) dancers (Alessandro Certini, S. Cesaroni, among others), performers (Musica e poesia contemporanea Phoné e la Voce con J.J.Lebel, Not(t)e da ridere comicità in jazz, La Corte – Arte Contemporanea, Il disordine delle Arti – Le Forme del Suono, Chimica e Arte, Extra(s)colto, Jazz Homage to Henry Miller duo with G.Trovesi). He invented with M.Santini, composed for and conducted “La Grande Orchestra del Cotechino Marcio” with wacky songs and poetry by Massimo Santini. After many years of collaborations “Cordonbleux at NOF” represent his debut album.

Derrick El

Linda Sikhakhane

Linda Sikhakhane is a South African born saxophonist, composer and arranger. He was born in Umlazi Township near Durban where his love for music was triggered at an early age. This saw him attending music classes at the age of 10 in Junior Primary and later took up jazz lessons under the tutelage of Dr Brian Thusi at the Siyakhula Music Center in his neighborhood . He obtained a Diploma in Jazz /Popular Music at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal under Prof Mageshen Naidoo in 2012. Sikhakhane has played and recorded with respected South African and international artists such as Brian Thusi,Barney Rachabane, Feya Faku, Marcus Wyatt, Herbie Tsoaeli, Andile Yenana, Nduduzo Makhathini, Afrika Mkhize, Sibongile Khumalo, Gregory Potter,Reggie Workman and many more.Sikhakhane won the SAMRO Overseas Scholarship in 2016 and in 2017 released his debut album titled 'Two Sides ,One Mirror' . Linda re-located to New York in 2017 and enrolled at The New School University as a transfer student to complete his Bachelors degree in jazz ,he is studying with the great Billy Harper, David Schnitter & Reggie Workman.

Kika Sprangers

"The integrity of sound. That is where music starts."Saxophonist Kika Sprangers (Nijmegen, 28-09-1994) moves her audience with her lyrical,melodic way of playing and characteristic sound. Through her colourful and fascinating compositions she finds her voice to express herself and tells a powerful story to her listeners. Her authentic music has undertones of serenity and melancholy, enriched by royal harmonies that are complemented by solid grooves.

Sprangers is drawn to working in a variety of musical settings. She is currently a member of the Utrecht Jazz Archipel (the Jazz Orchestra of Utrecht), performs in the theatre show New York Round Midnight and plays in a trio alongside cellist Jörg Brinkmann and pianist Martin Fondse. Sprangers' main focus is her quintet and Large Ensemble (an extension of her quintet including three singers, bass clarinet, french horn, trompet and flute). Prominent performances of her ensemble took place at inJazz festival Rotterdam, Tivoli Vredenburg Cloud Nine Utrecht and the Grachtenfestival Amsterdam. In February 2017 she released her first EP "Leaves of Lily" with her own compositions. This EP was given a four out of five star review in "Het Parool" (a major national newspaper) where Sprangers was described as "a personality with a mature sound, flair and dedication".