Born: September 8, 1988 Primary Instrument: Sax, alto
Josh Kwassman, a Connecticut native, began playing alto saxophone around nine years old, and began to study jazz a few years later. He began to study bebop at the Hartford Conservatory and performed in various music festivals, including the Berklee Jazz Festival. He was accepted into the New School Jazz program in 2006, and has since studied with legends like Mark Turner, Chris Cheek, Reggie Workman, Wayne Escoffery, Vincent Herring. He is an accomplished and active composer/arranger, and has performed his music across New York at venues like Sweet Rhythm, The Falcon (Marlborough, NY), Rose Live Music in Brooklyn,Puppet's Jazz Bar, The Shrine, Alphabet Lounge, and many others. He is a member of Footprints, a forward-thinking quintet featuring Christoph Siegrist, Peter Yuskauskas, James Muschler, and Fabian Ortiz on piano. He also performs with the New York Jazz Classic Big Band, as well as with the Arielle Feinman Band.
His newest project is entitled Everywhere, a group aiming to connect to listeners of all backgrounds through music we can all relate to. Featuring the versatile Arielle Feinman (voice) and the soaring guitar sounds of Michael Valeanu, as well as a rhythm section with rare power and depth (Peter Yuskauskas, Fabian Ortiz, Arthur Hnatek), Everywhere explores The Beatles, Feist, John Mayer, Coldplay, and Brian Blade, among others. This is music to hear and feel.
Primary Instrument:
Sax, alto
Location:
New York, NY
Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.
Credentials/Background:
Have taught students for over five years, in areas ranging from Clarinet, Flute, Piano, and Saxophone to composition and music theory. Able to teach all ages, beginner to advanced. Lessons tailored to your needs, not to my own belief system.
Flexible availability, some weekdays, all weekends. Rates available upon contact.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
I work best with saxophones, however I also specialize in rhythm section accompaniment and entire band phrasing. I have played in many big bands, including the New York Jazz Classic, which performs with Ingrid Jensen at Lincoln Center, as well as with the Jack Jeffers Big Band. I also compose and arrange for big band, and have had my work recorded professionally. I work with all ages and skill levels, and am eager to help bring your band to the next level.
