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Theo Saunders

Theo (Ted) Saunders, a native New Yorker, has lived in California since 1985, but his musical career remains international in scope. Saunders' musical odyssey has taken him to four continents and more than twenty countries. He has performed in many of the world's most prestigious jazz festivals, concert halls and night clubs, with distinguished jazz artists including: Freddie Hubbard, Carla Bley, Charles Lloyd, Bob Brookmeyer, Harold Land, Buddy Collette, Eddie Harris,Ted Curson, James Moody, Bobby Hutcherson, Teddy Edwards, Jack Dejohnette, Joe Lovano, Jimmy Garrison, Pharoah Sanders, Sonny Fortune, Slam Stewart, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims ,Reggie Workman, Curtis Fuller, Rashied Ali, Mike Stern, Benny Powell, Chris Conners, Morgana King, Roseanna Vitro, David "Fathead" Newman, J.R. Montrose, Brew Moore,Sonny Greenwich, John Klemmer, Mark Egan, Wilbur Ware, Jane Ira Bloom, Steve Khan, Henry Franklin, Azar Lawrence, Carl Burnett, Jack Wilkins, Steve Slagle, Dennis Irwin, Roy McCurdy, Eddie Gomez, Cecil McBee, Rick Laird, John Heard, Gene Perla, Al Grey, Barbara Morrison, Lanny Morgan, Horacee Arnold, Jerry Bergonzi, Harvey Wainapel, Herbie Lewis, Sal Marquez, Hadley Caliman, Putter Smith, Gary Foster, Beaver Harris, Alphonse Mouzon, Benn Clatworthy, Dick Berk, Richie Cole, Garnett Brown, Justo Almario, Mike Richmond, Bob Sheppard, Bennie Maupin, Dave Binney, Bobby Bradford, Frank Morgan, Harvie Swartz, Tierney Sutton, Judi Silvano, Roberta Gambarini, Chip White, Phil Grenadier, Tom Harrell, Rich Perry, Clifford Jarvis, Carl Allen, Phil Ranelin, Pat Britt, Tony Dumas, Steve Swallow, Victor Lewis, John Abercrombie, Joe Diorio, J.R. Mitchell, Calvin Hill, Charles Owens, Richard Reid, , Adam Rodgers, John B. Williams, Ed Neumeister, Terrell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Larry Koonse, Darek Oles, Dave Stryker, Steve Marcus, Don Menza, Bill Watrous, Mon David

His diverse musical activities have included musical director for opera and dance productions, for cabaret singers, and international musical theatre. He has played with many well known Latin, R&B, and rock artists, including Claudio Roditi, Victor Brasil, Ray Mantilla, Willie Bobo, Bobby Matos, Raul De Souza, Ray Armando,Claudio Caribe, Guillerme Franco, Bobby Rodriguez, Gladys Knight, Four Tops, Elephants Memory, and is a former member (Piano) of the Jazz Tap Ensemble. He also has performed in collaboration with poet David Meltzer and assemblage artist George Herms.

As a composer, Theo has numerous jazz & rock compositions to his credit as well as original scores for dance, theatre, radio and multimedia production. His compositions have recently been recorded by Henry Franklin, Ray Armando, Benn Clatworthy, Bobby Matos, and Bruce Paulson. His biographical sketch appears, in "People in Jazz- Jazz keyboard improvisors of the 19th and 20th centuries" by Bill Lee.

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7
Album Review

Theo Saunders: Trane Stories

Read "Trane Stories" reviewed by Rex  Butters


"My music is the Spiritual expression of what I am: my faith, my knowledge, my being. When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for the people, to help humanity, to help humanity free itself from its hang ups. I want to speak to their souls." John Coltrane, quoted on Trane Stories A seasoned group of LA's finest, spearheaded by pianist, Theo Saunders, brings us a unique intimate portrait of ...

8
Album Review

Theo Saunders: Jassemblage

Read "Jassemblage" reviewed by Chuck Koton


Veteran Manhattan-born pianist, composer and arranger, Theo Saunders, has been a driven artist since his days at the High School For Performing Arts. In the ensuing decades, whether in NYC or California, his devotion to improvisational music has led him to stamp his personal vision on the music he plays, whether composing compelling original music or rearranging standards. Six years ago, after a typically unfettered, emotionally searing performance at one of LA's great jazz hangs, the late Charlie ...

4
Album Review

Theo Saunders and Intergeneration: When The Saints Go Out

Read "When The Saints Go Out" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Southern California pianist Theo Saunders is a veteran musician/composer with an extensive resume as bandleader, sideman and musical director. The sparkling sophomore effort, When The Saints Go Out, documents the robust sounds of his Intergeneration group on this Arabesque label debut, a follow-up to Intergeneration (CDBaby, 2011). Originally from The Big Apple, Saunders has lived and performed in both New York and the west coast, where he has carved out a successful professional career. As leader of the Intergeneration sextet, ...

288
Album Review

Theo Saunders: Intergeneration

Read "Intergeneration" reviewed by Chuck Koton


Born into the cultural vortex that is New York City's Upper West Side and raised by Broadway theater-performing parents, Theo Saunders was destined for the creative life. By the time he graduated from New York's prestigious High School for the Performing Arts, Saunders knew his future would be made seated in front of a piano playing jazz. But that future would not be in New York; at a certain point, Saunders knew he had to get out of the city, ...

269
Live Review

Theo Saunders Sextet: San Diego, CA, July 5, 2011

Read "Theo Saunders Sextet: San Diego, CA, July 5, 2011" reviewed by Robert Bush


Theo Saunders Sextet Saville Theatre, San Diego City College San Diego, CA July 5, 2011 Pianist Theo Saunders has an incredible resume. Growing up in NYC, he played with Pharoah Sanders in the 1960s, and in 1971 (at age 24), at the Village Vanguard with the likes of Jimmy Garrison and Jack DeJohnette in a group led by guitarist Sonny Greenwich. Appearing on more than 40 recordings as a sideman, he has accompanied everyone ...

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"Musician Theo Saunders never fails to amaze and to satisfy his listeners with his pianism. His virtuosity at the keyboard, his creative programming and selection of players usually results in a superb evening of entertainment." --Bob Agnew (L.A. Jazz Scene)

"...the real solid values of Saunders' writing, along with his playing, constitute the album's chief virtue." - Downbeat

"A rhythm team composed of Theo (Ted) Saunders on piano...provided blistering support on the up-tempos, with exemplary solos." -Leonard Feather, LA Times

"Pianist Saunders' powers of interpretation and invention are forces to be reckoned with; on an average night he's provocative, on a good night he's mind-bending." - Joseph Woodard, LA Times

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Jassemblage

Self Produced
2016

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When The Saints Go Out

Arabesque Jazz
2012

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Intergeneration

TSM Productions
2011

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Free Associations

Household Ink Records
1999

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Videos

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