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Anders Svanoe

Playing all of the saxophones and the occasional clarinet part, Anders got his start in music taking piano lessons, singing in church choirs and playing saxophone and piano in the public school bands. In 1991 Anders graduated from Luther College and in 1994 he completed his Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In the mid 1990s Anders studied with Frank Morgan while Frank lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Frank taught me everything about the saxophone, especially the importance of sound.” Another key component to Anders’ post-graduate education was his meetings with multi-instrumentalist and composer Roscoe Mitchell. Since 2001 Anders has played and recorded with Roscoe in various contexts ranging from duos to large ensembles.

As a member of the Transatlantic Art Ensemble, The Roscoe Mitchell Big Band, and a guest with Roscoe Mitchell’s Note Factory, Anders has performed with a “who’s-who” in the jazz/contemporary improvised music scene: Evan Parker, Corey Wilkes, Craig Taborn, Philipp Wachsmann, John Rangecroft, Neil Metcalfe, Nils Bultmann, Marcio Mattos, Jaribu Shahid, Barry Guy, Tani Tabbal, Paul Lytton, Vijay Iyer, Ari Brown, Mwata Bowden, Spencer Barefield, Gerald Cleaver and many others.

Anders has also performed with The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Greg Abate, Jon Irabagon and the award winning Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet.

In 2007 The Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University published Anders’ book on bebop saxophonist, Sonny Red, in its “Annual Review of Jazz Studies 13.” “Bluesville: The Journey of Sonny Red” was a 10 year project focusing on the virtually unknown, but very unique, saxophonist from Detroit. The book includes transcriptions, a discography, and an oral history which includes interviews from: Curtis Fuller, Kiane Zawadi, Tommy Flanagan, Frank Foster, Charles McPherson, Louis Hayes, Jimmy Heath, Talibe Kibwe, Cedar Walton, Yusef Lateef, many more musicians and family members.

Anders is currently teaching saxophone and the Improvisation Ensemble at Beloit College.

Awards

Winner – Top 20 Album of the year 2017 and 2018, Tone Madison, Madison, WI Winner – Top 10 Jazz Album of the year 2018, Kevin Lynch, Milwaukee, WI Down Beat Jazz on Campus 1997

Gear

Selmer Super Balanced Action Saxophones.


Tags

6
Album Review

Anders Svanoe / Brad Townsend / Nick Zielinski: Mantis

Read "Mantis" reviewed by Mark Corroto


While taking a bit of a breather from releasing his State of the Baritone series, Anders Svanoe joined forces with bassist Brad Townsend and drummer Nick Zielinski to record Mantis. Svanoe's compositions paired with two-thirds of Minneapolis' avant-fusion band ARP Of The Covenant (unplugged here) deliver an assorted mix of highly emotive styles. The trio upgrades the saxophone trio format with freedom, though freedom anchored by some heavy grooves. The title track “Mantis" marches a procession only to be broken ...

5
Album Review

Anders Svanoe: 747 Queen Of The Skies: State Of The Baritone Vol. 3

Read "747 Queen Of The Skies: State Of The Baritone Vol. 3" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Recall a common theme you would hear on an episode of Star Trek, the 1960s television show, not the fatuous films and modern remakes. Captain Kirk would order “more power Mr Scott," and the reply always was, “I've giv'n her all she's got captain, an' I canna give her no more." The same lines come to mind while spinning baritone saxophonist Anders Svanoe's State Of The Baritone Vol. 3, which was conceived around the mighty 747 airliner, a plane no ...

3
Album Review

Anders Svanoe: State Of The Baritone Volume 2

Read "State Of The Baritone Volume 2" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Some people see a baritone saxophone and think it an obtuse and blunt instrument. Not Anders Svanoe; he sees his baritone saxophone as a sharpened, yet subtle tool. Evidenced by State Of The Baritone Volume 2, he communicates everything from shuffling boogaloos to energized free-jazz, post-bop, and folk music with an uncanny naturalness. All of this is accomplished within the difficult framework of a trio format. That's no small feat, and one I don't believe had been attempted ...

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“The improbable sleeper of the year is The State of the Baritone by Madison WI reed player Anders Svanoe, who rewarded producer-saxophonist Jon Irabagon’s faith in him, with an ambitious and conceptually lucid statement about the hulking horn’s ability to float like a butterfly and roar like a buffalo stampede, among other qualities.” Kevin Lynch - www.kevernacular.com

“Exceptional saxophonist Jon Irabagon knows when he’s sighted a fellow virtuoso.” “State of the Baritone 2 is a muscular session combining frequent groove propulsion and multiple tune sections, making a harmonious marriage between bebop and free blowing.” Martin Longley – DownBeat

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Location

Madison

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

I have taught saxophone, the saxophone quartet, the jazz combo and the improvisation ensemble at Beloit College since 2006. Please contact me through my website for more information.

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Mantis

Anders Svanoe Music
2022

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747 Queen Of The...

Irabbagast Records
2019

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State Of The Baritone...

Irabbagast Records
2018

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State of the Baritone

Irabbagast Records 006
2016

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Duets with Jon...

Anders Svanoe Music
2009

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Lines and Spaces

Solitaire Records
2002

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Videos

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