John Savage
John has been playing saxophone since the age of 12. He has always had a love for music since he was a child which was apparent since he always carried around a toy guitar with him wherever he went. "My biggest influence on me then was my uncle who played guitar and piano. I would listen to him play all the time. I was hooked immediately."
After being exposed to jazz music in high school by his teacher Norman Clo, John decided to pursue a career in music and continued his education at the College of Saint Rose and began his studies with saxophonist Paul Evoskevich. After completing his degree (BS in Music Education), John returned home to Gloversville to start looking for a job and some gigs. During a three year period, he had the chance to play with Ben E. King, The Drifters, The Classics Four and formed the OverEasy Horns which played with local R&B band Cleen Street.
In 1995, John assumed the duties of instrumental music teacher at his alma mater, Gloversville High School. In December of 1998 he completed a MA in Jazz Studies from the College of Saint Rose.
John has been endeavoring to continue to study the saxophone and hone his composing and playing skills by delving into a variety of music from other cultures (Traditional Irish Music and Folk Music of other countries), trying to incorporate their rhythmic and melodic concepts into his songs and improvisations.
He has also been a student of incorporating wind synthesizers into his material and within the groups he regularly performs with, using this unique tool for melodic and improvisational opportunities. He first started playing wind synths in the late 1980's, using all of the Yamaha WX series instruments (7, 11, and 5) with various sound modules and in 2007, started using the AKAI EWI 4000s exclusively at all of his performances. John has become an area resource for the history and uses of wind synthesizers and has given performance clinics regionally on the subject.
John continues his pursuit for playing a variety of music, dividing his time between his own band and subbing with various area bands as well as devoting time to his students, endeavoring to teach them to appreciate the beauty of the music they create in school on a daily basis.
Performance Resume:
Ben E. King, Bob Mintzer, Jeff Jarvis, Chris Vadala, The Drifters, Denis Yost (Classics Four), Cleen Street, The Refrigerators, The Burners U.K., Alex Torres, Marcus Benoit, Red Clay Jazz, The Mix, Nik and The Nice Guys, Nite Train and The High Voltage Horns, Sha'ron and Stage Left, Doc Orloff's Blues Elixer, Out of the Box
Discography
as a leader: A Brighter Day (1999), Through It All (2003), Live at The Cafe (2005), Winter Songs-A Holiday Album (2005), Life Stories (2012), Quiet Man (coming 2013)
sideman/arranger: Shoko (1988), Marcus Benoit "Like Whiskey On Ice" (2005), Nite Train with the High Voltage Horns "Best Man" (2007), Marcus Benoit "Let's Get Away" (2008)
compilation: Refrigerators "Fridge Benefits: Music For Miracles II" ("Through It All")
Equipment
Saxophones
Alto: Selmer Super Action 80 Series II (black lacquer)
Tenor: Selmer Super Action 80 Series II (black lacquer)
Soprano: Conn Straight, circa 1920's (sterling silver)
Baritone: Buescher circa 1940's
Mouthpieces
Alto: Beechler 8 (metal), BG ligature
Tenor: Guardala gold plated Brecker model , WInslow ligature
Soprano: Otto Link 8* (hard rubber), Winslow ligature
Baritone: Berg Larson 110/0 (hard rubber)
Reeds
Bari reeds on all saxes exclusively
Miscellaneous
Akai EWI 4000s Wind Synthesizer (EWI sounds by Patchman Music)
Selmer Cases
Hercules Sax Stand
Shure Beta 98S Microphone with Shure A98KCS Horn Clamp
Shure PSM 600 Personal Monitoring System (wireless)
Samson Airline Wireless Instrument Microphone System
Finale Music Notation Software
Digidesign ProTools Recording Software
Repair
Samco Music (John Camardello)