Wayne Escoffery
Since moving to New York City in 2000, tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery has become one of the Jazz world’s most talented rising stars and in-demand sidemen. He began his professional NY career touring and recording with The Eric Reed Septet. In 2001 he became a steady member of the Mingus Big Band/Orchestra/Dynasty, The Lonnie Plaxico Group, and Abdulah Ibrahim’s Akaya.
Then in 2004 Grammy award winning producer, arranger and trumpet player Don Sickler asked Wayne to be a part of Ben Riley’s Monk legacy Septet; an innovative piano-less group dedicated to carrying on the legacy of jazz great Thelonious Monk. At this time Wayne was also touring with Jazz At Lincoln Center’s Music of the Masters consisting of two groups of musicians hand picked by Wynton Marsalis. The Music of Dexter Gordon featured Wayne with Saxophonists Jimmy Greene and Gerry Welden; backed by Dexter Gordon alumni George Cables, Rufus Reid and Leroy Williams. The Music of Miles Davis featured Wayne with trumpet great Eddie Henderson and alto saxophonist Steve Wilson in the front line; backed by David Kikoski, Ed Howard and Miles Davis veteran Jimmy Cobb on drums.
In 2006 Wayne secured one of the most coveted gigs in jazz: a frontline position in Tom Harrell’s working quintet. In addition to being a part of some of the last true “apprenticeship” opportunities of our era, he has delivered two studio dates as a leader on the Nagel-Heyer label Times Change in 2001 and Intuition in 2004.
In a review of the latter AllAboutJazz.com's Senior Editor John Kelman wrote “Escoffery's command of the instrument is impressive, able to navigate broad intervallic leaps with a sound that is robust in all registers,” Critics have also called him “[A] young, self- assured, hard-swinging tenor saxophonist.” (Ben Ratliff - The New York Times) “a skillful, musical player” (Chris Kelsey, JazzTimes) and “a thoughtful and ambitious composer” (Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide).
In October of 2006 Wayne signed with Savant Records, founded and run by noted record industry legend Joe Fields and his highly respected son Barney. His first CD for Savant called Veneration (released in March of 2007) was recorded live at Smoke Jazz Club in NYC and features Joe Locke on vibes, Hans Glawichnig on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums.
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February 23, 2021
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wayne Escoffery
February 23, 2020
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wayne Escoffery
February 23, 2019
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wayne Escoffery
February 23, 2018
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wayne Escoffery
February 23, 2017
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wayne Escoffery
February 23, 2016
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wayne Escoffery
February 22, 2015
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wayne Escoffery
February 23, 2014
Jazz Musician of the Day: Wayne Escoffery
July 15, 2013
Wayne Escoffery Headlines New Haven Jazz Festival, August 17
February 23, 2013
“A powerful, passionate player.” Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times Magazine
“This is a talented youngster capable of long, flowing lines, noteworthy creativity, and a broad range of expressiveness.” —J. Robert Bragonier, All About Jazz
“One of the most talented, poetic artists.” —Sue Mingus, widow of Bassist Charles Mingus
“His sound is arguably a contemporary mix of Coltrane, Shorter and Henderson influences, but is already personal... His technique is superb...” —Tony Hall, Jazzwise Magazine
“The music is in good hands with him, for sure.” —Rufus Reid - Bassist
“a skillful, musical player” —Chris Kelsey, JazzTimes
“a thoughtful and ambitious composer” —Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
Primary Instrument
Saxophone, tenor
Location
New York City
Credentials/Background
To teach private saxophone lessons, Jazz ensemble classes, theory classes, Jazz improvisation classes, Humanities/Music History Courses or any music related courses.
Wayne has been fortunate enough to study with some of the greatest jazz musicians in the world. Some of them include Jackie McLean, Ron Carter, George Coleman, Clark Terry, and Barry Harris. He also has first hand experience playing with word class jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter.
While presently a working part of the New York City Jazz scene, Wayne leads his own group and performs internationally with The Mingus Band, and Abdullah Ibrahim. He has experience introducing music to all ages and has learned the history of American Music from many of the innovators of the last five decades.
EDUCATION: 1993-97 Bachelor of Music, The Hartt School 1997-99 Master of Music, The New England Conservatory 1997-99 Diploma of Completion, The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance
EXPERIENCE:
1994-97 Instructor, The Artist’s Collective Private
saxophone instructor, theory teacher and history
teacher. Ages 10 – 35. Taught proficiency on the
saxophone, Jazz improvisation, basic Jazz History,
and all levels of theory.
1997-99 Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Ambassador; The
Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz
Ambassadors went to different schools in and out of the
country to give master classes on
Jazz/American Music History and Jazz Improvisation. This
included trips to New Hampshire, Washington
D.C., South America and Jamaica.
1999-present Private Instructor, Bromley Studios Private
saxophone and beginner flute instruction.
Ages 11-45
1999-present Private Instructor, City College Private
saxophone instruction at the College
level.
2000-present Adjunct Faculty, The Hartt School Private
saxophone instruction at the college level.
Assistant to Prof. Jackie McLean during saxophone
masterclasses.
Photos
Albums
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