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Paul Zaborac

Paul Zaborac is a versatile saxophonist, composer, and educator. Originally from the Des Moines, Iowa area, he seeks to explore and push the musical boundaries of the saxophone through performance and composition, and to share this knowledge through teaching.

Well versed in both classical and jazz saxophone, Paul brings a unique and diverse set of skills to his performances on the instrument. This unique combination of skills is displayed in the original compositions on his debut album Actualize (2012) where he explores how the saxophone can be used as an accompaniment instrument in improvised music. This original approach to the saxophone draws upon the many extended techniques available to the instrument and explores its performance potential in improvised music. In 2013 the Paul Zaborac Trio went on a tour of the American Midwest that included stops in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Des Moines, and featured Paul’s original compositions. He then formed the Paul Zaborac Quartet in 2014, which has released a live video recording of a performance in 2016 and the album Paul Zaborac Quartet: Live (2018). Paul has also had the opportunity to share the stage with notable jazz musicians such as Rufus Reid, John Von Ohlen, Everett Greene, Greg Gisbert, Stan Sulzmann, Chad Eby, Stockton Helbing, Paul McKee, and Michael Dease, and tour Costa Rica with the University of Colorado-Boulder Concert Jazz Ensemble.

As a classical saxophonist, Paul has presented guest recitals at The University of Denver, Drake University, Simpson College, and the University of Colorado-Boulder. Furthermore, he has performed in Australia, China, and Hong Kong with the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Saxophone Quartet and has played with the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, Breckenridge Festival Orchestra, and National Repertory Orchestra. He has also performed extensively at the biennial and regional conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance, which has included premiering Liquid Lullaby for Saxophone Quartet (2018) by Tyler Stampe and performing on a masterclass for Jean-Michel Goury (2008). He has also made soloist appearances with the Simpson College Symphonic Wind Ensemble as a winner of the concerto competition in 2007 and 2009 and has toured the American Midwest with the Simpson College Saxophone Quartet (2008).

Paul holds degrees in music education from Simpson College (BMus), saxophone performance from The Sydney Conservatorium of Music (MM), and saxophone performance and pedagogy from The University of Colorado-Boulder (DMA), where he was a teaching assistant and the saxophone instructor for the continuing education department.

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Meet Paul Zaborac:Paul Zaborac is a versatile saxophonist, composer, and educator. Born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1987, he began studying the saxophone at the age of 11. After receiving a bachelor degree in music education from Simpson College (2010), he proceeded to obtain a master of music degree in saxophone performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2012, where he was the recipient of the prestigious Albert Scholarship for Postgraduates and served as a research assistant. ...

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“…Zaborac’s ability to deliver a strong message in his playing was remarkable.”

- Jazz Inspires

“The [Paul Zaborac] trio’s debut album [Actualize] features jazz in a variety of textures with great interplay between the trio. The drum work from Deva is particularly impressive as the trio experiment with their tempos.”

– Sammy Al, The New Thing on Eastside 89.7FM, Sydney.

“The Paul Zaborac Quartet is an inspired group that uses their creative energy to produce refreshingly original music.”

- Tom Myer, Professor of Saxophone - CU Boulder

Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Location

Dallas

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Education University of Colorado Boulder
DMA (Saxophone Performance and Pedagogy)
Graduated: May 12, 2017

Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Sydney, Australia
Master of Music (Performance)
Graduated December 12, 2012

Simpson College
Indianola, Iowa
Bachelor of Music Education
Graduated May 22, 2010

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Long Way Out

Self Released
2021

buy

Actualize

Unknown label
2012

buy

Inter-funk

From: Actualize
By Paul Zaborac

Videos

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