Born: June 5, 1969 Primary Instrument: Sax, alto
Critics have called Cleveland-based saxophonist/composer Bobby Selvaggio “aspiring and gifted” (Bob Agnew, LA Jazz Scene) and “intensely creative” (Lee Prosser, JazzReview.com). The Cleveland Free Times' Chris Hovan adds, “Selvaggio plays with fluidity and a highly melodic sense of purpose that at times recalls the work of Phil Woods.”
A veteran of groups such as Joe Lovano's 52nd Street Nonet, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, he has performed across the United States and Canada both as a sideman and as a leader of his own groups. He is also a Conn-Selmer and Rico Reeds artist, an active teacher/ clinician, and the founder of the Aurora Center for Jazz Studies in Aurora, Ohio.
His fourth recording as a leader, Unspoken Dialogue (Playscape Recordings), featuring pianist Kenny Werner, trumpeter Paul Tynan, bassist Ben Street, and drummers Matt Perko and Jamey Haddad, will be released on August 28th, 2007.
“Bobby Selvaggio is one of the few young saxophonists on the scene today that captures you with his strong presence, focus, and sound. “ --Joe Lovano
“It’s not often that a composer sets up tunes and situations that make the band and every soloist sound special, but once we understood Bobby’s compositions, each and every one of them [made] us sound brilliant. Also, for my money, Bobby is among the best of players out there!” --Kenny Werner
First Steps
Self-produced
1998
Personnel: Bobby Selvaggio-alto sax Dan Wall-piano Matt Perko-drums Gary Hoopengardner-bass
Round
Self-produced
2001
Personnel: Bobby Selvaggio-alto and soprano saxes Mike Murray-piano Matt Perko-drums Chris Howes-violin
Visions Transitions
Self-produced
2003
Personnel: Bobby Selvaggio-alto and soprano saxes Dan Murphy-Fender Rhodes Matt Perko-drums Kip Reed-bass
Unspoken Dialogue
Playscape Recordings
2007
Personnel: Bobby Selvaggio-alto and soprano saxes Kenny Werner-piano Jamey Haddad-drums Ben Street-bass Paul Tynan-trumpet Matt Perko-drums
Modern Times
Arabesque Jazz
2009
Personnel: Bobby Selvaggio-alto and soprano saxes Kenny Werner-piano Nathan Douds-drums Matt Wigton-bass Sean Jones-trumpet Dan Murphy-piano
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Primary Instrument:
Sax, alto
Location:
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Assistant Director Jazz Studies Kent State University
