Saxophone with Brian G.

Brian has been teaching music since 1985, leaving the University of Minnesota behind for the beginning of his full musical career. Brian started playing instruments at the age of 10. He started out on the clarinet through middle school and in 8th grade switched to the tenor sax. He continued playing throughout high school in marching and jazz band. He went on to study music performance at the University of Minnesota in 1981. He started playing professionally while in college where his music career took hold. In 1988 he came out with his first record called 'Coming Home'. His presence increased in the Minneapolis music scene and in 1988 he signed with his first record label Cypress Records, a small jazz label under A&M Records. Shortly after, Cypress Records "went under". In 1991, Brian started working for Prince in his band The New Power Generation, playing in his horn section. He continued working with him for 6 years playing on the albums Come (1994), The Gold Experience (1995), Chaos and Disorder (1996), Emancipation (1996), Crystal Ball (1998), and Vault: Old Friends For Sale (1999). Nearing the end, he got a record deal with Prince and started Greazy Meal in 1995. The band produced 4 albums in 4 years and toured the midwest, Canada, and L.A. When Greazy Meal removed itself from the scene around 1999, Brian could be seen playing around town and took time to become a father of three amazing children. He began writing, recording, and playing original music more often, the bands SmartMouth and The Fuzz most notably. After a few years of laying low, he came back to the limelight playing and touring the US, Philippines, and TV circuit in 2003. In 2006 Brian started playing with Taylor Hicks (winner of American Idol Season 5), touring the US, Italy, and TV circuit, continuing until December of 2012. Brian would like to personally thank one of his instructors, Doctor Frank Bencriscutto, for taking him under his wing the summer after high school and helping him transition into college. Dr. Ben was a MAJOR influence musically and otherwise. *** Studio Equipment *** Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piano, Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Logic Pro X and Garage Band,Tuners, Microphone, Metronome, Manuscript Paper, Music Stands. *** Travel Equipment *** None *** Specialties *** Improvisation, Sight Reading, Jazz Ensembles, Live Performances, Studio Recording Techniques, Composition, Repertoire, Theory.