Saxophone with Clay L.

BORN into an artistic family, 25-year-old alto saxophonist Clay L. has been enthralled by music from a very young age. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Clay began his musical journey by playing the drums as a toddler, and then moved to cello and piano, after which he settled on his instrument of choice, the alto saxophone, at age 12. In high school, with the help of his father and some friends, Clay discovered the music of Charlie Parker, and soon realized that there was no turning back. Over time and after much practice, Clay became a prominent player at his high school and the local Madison jazz scene, where he studied with legend Richard Davis. In 2007, Clay was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to the renowned Berklee College of Music, and since then, he has been a busy player in Boston and elsewhere – Clay has performed as a sideman and with his own groups in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Italy, Panama and Japan. NOTABLE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE… • Alto saxophonist for legendary Reggae/Rock group, Spiritual Rez - fall 2013 – present. • Maurice Hynes: ‘Tappin’ Thru Life,’ May 2013. • The Brian Bromberg Group feat. Randy Brecker, live at Scullers, March 2013. • The Panama Jazz Fest: The Berklee Global Jazz Ambassadors feat. Adam Cruz, January 2013 – Opened for the Wayne Shorter Quartet. • Lead alto, Thinkin’ Big Band – toured Toronto and upstate New York, winter 2013. • Darren Barrett, Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, 2012. • The Global Jazz Institute feat. Eric Harland. Siena, Italy, August 2012. • Joe Lovano with The Berklee Global Jazz Red Ensemble. Blue Note NYC, spring 2012. • Jason Anick Group, 2012 – present. • The Berklee Global Jazz Institute, feat. John Patitucci, The Regattabar, Boston. • Mango Blue, 2011 • The Kazuhiro Odagiri Quintet, Wally’s Café, Boston, spring 2011 – present. • The Wily Rodriguez Group, Wally’s Café, Boston, 2010. • The Beantown Swing Orchestra, 2010 – present. • Toured Hong Kong & Shenzhen, China with "The Jazz Tellers" - 2010 *** Lesson Details *** Hello! My name is Clay L., and I'm a professional saxophonist and recent graduate of the Berklee School of Music. I have toured the world and performed with legendary musicians such as Joe Lovano and Randy Brecker, and I am now accepting saxophone students of all ages and skill levels! If you want to take your saxophone playing to the next level, I can help! My rates are reasonable and my schedule is flexible! I have 8 years of teaching experience with private students, and I specialize in the following areas of playing: - saxophone technique - tone production & articulation - jazz styles & improvisation - funk, blues & R&B styles - harmony, music theory... and more! If you are interested in studying, please don't hesitate to contact me! Thanks for checking out my page! All the best, Clay! *** Studio Equipment *** I usually travel to my students' homes in the greater Boston area via bicycle or T, but I am also able to teach out of my home in Allston. My home studio is equipped with good acoustics and... A METRONOME! ;-) *** Specialties *** JAZZ is my SPECIALTY!! - Improvisation! ...i.e. how to compose & play jazz solos, ON THE SPOT! - Jazz time-feel & tone production, swing, articulation, vibrato, etc. - Jazz theory & history!