Baltimore Jazz Band 2

An internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist and composer, the leader of this Baltimore Jazz Band has earned numerous awards and commissions, performed on a wide range of albums, and toured extensively across the globe. Now based in the Washington, DC area, he is an active force within some of the nation's most esteemed cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian Institution, the Kennedy Center, and Washington Performing Arts. His influence extends beyond performance—he regularly brings renowned jazz artists to the region to collaborate, perform, and teach alongside him.

Baltimore Jazz Band credits

In the US, the leader of this Baltimore Jazz Band has performed and recorded with diverse hit makers such as Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Bobby McFerrin, Freddie Hubbard, Marcus Miller and Najee. He has collaborated with fellow saxophonist Jeff Coffin, guitarists Steve Herberman and Steve Rochiniski, percussionists Sherrie Maricle and Joe McCarthy, bassists Jimmy Haslip and Gary Grainger, and pianists Helen Sung and Zaccai Curtis.

He has worked with Canadian greats such as PJ Perry, Senator Tommy Banks, big band leader Rob McConnell, the iconic David Foster and trumpet sensation Ingrid Jensen. The leader of this Baltimore Jazz Band concerts and recordings with the Unified Jazz Ensemble, the Jazz Update and other ensembles have been consistently well received by critics.

He was born in Edmonton, Canada in 1965, to a large Ukrainian family. They lived in Benin City, Nigeria for a time and the colorful sights and sounds of that experience have never left him. The leader of this Baltimore Jazz Band began his musical education there, studying classical piano. Back in Canada in his teens, he took up the saxophone relishing any opportunity to play.

Baltimore Jazz Band degree

After attending Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton, Canada he attended the famed University of North Texas, where he earned a master’s degree in jazz performance and West African ethno musicology. He began making his mark as an artist and educator early in his career: touring, teaching and composing before he even graduated.

The leader of this Baltimore Jazz Band then co-founded the Unified Jazz Ensemble, enjoying numerous accomplishments with that group in his 12-year tenure. The quintet toured North America and Asia and were adjunct faculty at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa for two years.

A grant from the Canada Council and studies with Tim Hagans helped him mature as a performer and composer before he became a band leader - the next step in his career. In 2004 he formed this Baltimore Jazz Band, featuring some of the most in-demand jazz artists on the East Coast of the United States.