God is first, eternity is forever, all other things are secondary.

 

My goal in life is to praise Jesus Christ.  Although I know that within my lifetime, my playing will never get to be good enough to adequately praise and glorify Him, nonetheless, I hope my mention of this here will help give Christ a little more praise than I could ever offer in just my saxophone playing alone.  I give all thanks and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 


 

Hooooooooowwwdy!!! :)

Click to visit www.SanteeSaxophones.com

I'm also a saxophone designer - "Santee Saxophones", was officially launched in January, 2007.  Before that, I spent over a year designing my Santee M27 Pro-Fusion professional saxophone line.  I'm very happy how these saxophones play! - and am praying many professional contemporary players will also!  (click HERE for an audio and video clip of my playing Santee M27 Pro-Fusion saxophones)
  I'm an alto, tenor, and soprano saxophonist, who's been playing for almost 22 years now.  I also play the "EWI" (Electronic Wind Instrument).

My third educational project, Jazz Improv Lab Dominant 7.Lotsa books!!! :)KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!! (or somethin' like that!)  :)

I am also a saxophone educator and author - I've written a book on improvisation called "Jazz Improv Lab Dominant 7" (and created an accompaniment MP3 CD "Jazz Improv Lab Dominant 7 Tracks"); written two saxophone instructional books: "SAXOPHONE - Everything Sax Players Should Know!", and "JAZZ SAXOPHONE - Everything JAZZ Sax Players Should Know!", and designed an 11" x 17" poster print featuring some of my favorite Alternate and Altissimo Saxophone Fingerings.

 


My educational background:  I received scholarships to attend both Berklee College of Music (in Boston, MA), and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  While at Berklee, I played tenor sax and EWI in their "Steps/Stern/Scofield Ensemble", and tenor and EWI in Berklee's "Freshman Combo" and studied saxophone with saxophonist George Garzone.   I also studied Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI) with Paul Wagner (contributing writer for Saxophone Journal magazine) and studied ear training with Brazilian vocalist Luciana Sousa.  Also, while at Berklee, I attended a series of saxophone repair master classes by legendary saxophone repairman Emilio Lyons (of Boston's Rayburn Music).


Some of my main musical influences include:  Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Everette Harp, Nelson Rangell, George Garzone, Bob Mintzer, Joe Lovano, Najee, Dave Koz, Kirk Whalum, Michael Paulo, Greg Vail, John Coltrane, Sonny Stitt, Joe Henderson, Grover Washington Jr., Steps Ahead (with Michael Brecker), the Brecker Bros., and the Yellowjackets (to name just a few).


Some of my previous teachers include: Curt Eddie, George Garzone, John Bleuel, Michelle Hussey & Gerald Olson - and have learned a lot through a few great discussions with saxophonists Joe Lovano and Michael Brecker.  But I also learn from my students, by breaking-down all aspects of playing and learning the saxophone in lessons, I end up putting my own technique and musicianship under the microscope as well!  I have a lot to learn (as we all do), and I pray I never stop learning!


We are all given gifts by Jesus Christ, I'm just trying my best to honor and praise Jesus using the gifts Christ has given me.  I hope to do a lot more recording and performing, God-willing.  I've recorded and/or performed with many different groups over the years - ranging from classical (way back with the UW-Milwaukee Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, and Sax Quartet) to big band (also w/UW-Milwaukee), and from jazz to funk to rock.  Recorded and performed horn section work and soloing in swing band settings (such as with the "Mr. Lucky Swing Syndicate" band), combo and even a jazz (well "jazzish") trio setting (the fun but short-lived "SPB Projects"), but I have had the most fun playing in contemporary jazz groups (Shammah and Urban Jazz).  I'm currently writing for (off and on), and will hopefully soon be looking forward to recording, my first solo project (when the extra funds needed to do so are available) - but for now, I'm just trying my best to just keep involved in the industry to some degree, and praying Christ Wills for me to eventually get my break!  I would love to get the chance to tour as a sideman with a national act someday, or to tour with my own group eventually, but I don't run things, God does, so I trust in Jesus Christ for Him to allow what's best for me, at the TIME that's best for me! (hope that will be soon!)


© Copyright  Aaron Santee and Santee Saxophones