Based in St. Paul, JazzAx is dedicated to the exploration and performance of jazz, contemporary, and improvised music for saxophone quartet. All four members of JazzAx are well known locally and beyond as jazz and classical performers and educators. The JazzAx Saxophone Quartet (JSQ) performed regularly at Brilliant Corners in St. Paul from February 2003 until the club closed last year; JSQ has also performed as part of the 13th World Saxophone Congress in Minneapolis, and has appeared on the stages of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Hamline University, Lawrence University, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (Jazz Festival), Phipps Center for the Arts, and the Minnesota State Capitol (Arts Advocacy Day Concert). JSQ has also performed as part of the Minneapolis-St Paul Regional Public School Performance series, was recently featured at the MacPhail Center for the Arts’ "Saxophone Day," and at the Stillwater Public Schools’ "Jazz Exchange" festival. In addition, JSQ presents master classes in jazz saxophone performance, saxophone ensemble performance techniques, and jazz ensemble performance.

The Musicians

JSQ leader David Milne (soprano sax) is an Associate Professor of Music (Saxophone/Jazz Studies) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. A native of Rochester, NY, he holds BA and MM degrees in music from Indiana University and a DMA from the Eastman School of Music. In the Twin Cities, he is an active jazz and classical saxophonist, guest artist/clinician, composer/arranger, and an artist-clinician for Selmer Saxophones. Among his other projects, he plays with the JazzMN Big Band and leads the quintet APEX.

Michael Walk (alto sax) is an Instrumental Music Instructor for Stillwater (MN) Area Schools who holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He previously taught in the Pepin (WI) Area Schools for six years. Currently on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin Arts and Education Center, he teaches saxophone, improvisation and directs jazz ensembles. In addition to performances throughout the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin, Walk plays with the JazzMN Big Band.

photo by Andrea Canter

Pete Whitman (tenor sax) has performed with such artists as Randy Brecker, Jack McDuff, and the Woody Herman Orchestra. Holding BM and MM degrees in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, Whitman currently heads the Brass and Woodwinds Department at McNally Smith (Musictech) College in St. Paul. His many projects include leading Departure Point, The Pete Whitman Quintet, and The Xtet, and playing with the JazzMN Big Band. In 2002 his quintet released "The Sound of Water" (Artegra), and he has released recordings with Departure Point as well as serving as sideman on many other projects.

Greg Keel (baritone sax) is on the faculties of the MacPhail Center for the Arts, Normandale College, University of Wisconsin Indianhead Arts and Education Center, and the UW-Green Bay summer jazz program. He attended the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, UW-Madison, and Concordia College in St. Paul. Among his credits are performances with Anthony Cox, Geoff Keezer, Mel Torme, The Temptations, Bobby Vinton, Andy Williams, The O'Jays, Frankie Valli, Bob Hope, and blues guitarist Luther Allison. In addition to JSQ and the JazzMN Big Band, Keel is an artist/clinician for the Selmer Company and has been a contributing writer for "Saxophone Journal" magazine.

Lee Blaske (replacing originally scheduled pianist Laura Caviani) is a first-call piano player, arranger, producer, and recording engineer with a long and distinguished resumé. He has recorded and arranged Yolanda Adams, Gladys Knight, Terry Lewis, Jimmy Jam, and Janet Jackson. Locally he has performed wth Bruce Henry, Sue Tucker, Bobby Commodore’s BWC, ltd, funk jazz ensemble Blow Zone, and the JazzMN Big Band.

The Music

For more information about the performers visit the JazzAx website: www.jazzax.com.

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