Nat S  

5

  5.0 (3)

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Cello, Viola, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Organ, Synthesizer, Accordion, Harmonica, Banjo, Ukulele, Mandolin, Recorder, Electric Violin, Fiddle, Double Bass, French Horn, Piccolo, Orchestral Percussion, Conga, Latin Percussion, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul

Although I started out on the piano at eight, I switched to tenor sax at the age of 13 on the advice of my doctor, who suggested that playing this horn would help cure me of asthma. I later studied sax with Gerry Bergonzi. As a teenager, I sneaked into such noted New York City jazz emporiums as Birdland and the Five Spot to hear the Jazz Messengers, Gerry Mulligan, Thelonious Monk, and other reigning jazz masters of the times. Another factor was the influence of the so-called school of Texas Tenors who would allow me to sit in with them. Arnett Cobb, Buddy Tate, and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson were all major shapers of my tough tenor style. During a professional career which began in the early '80s, I have appeared with many major jazz figures in addition to the Texas Tenors, including Ray Bryant, Branford Marsalis, and the Count Basie alumnae band, the Countsmen. I have worked at many Jazz festivals and at such important jazz venues as the Village Vanguard. Along the way, I have produced or co-produced 13 albums for the now defunct Muse label and for my own label, Bluejay Records. I also have a considerable teaching practice which includes lessons on most instruments, including Saxophone, Clarinet, flute, as well as trumpet, trombone, guitar, Bass guitar, piano, Bass Violin, Cello, Violin, Violin, Banjo, Mandolin, and harmonica.

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. I play along with my students to help them with interpretation, phrasing, articulation and dynamics.