Saxophone Day is Saturday, August 5, 2023!
In celebration of the Saxophone (and show off our funky new shop!), Schmitt Music is excited to host the Twin Cities Saxophone Day on August 5 at Schmitt Music Bloomington. Join us for a day of free clinics and concerts featuring our world renowned line up performers. Saxophonist of all ages and abilities are invited to attend and participate. Sax mouthpiece guru Theo Wanne will be on hand throughout the day to help with mouthpiece adjustments and consultations. Randy Jones from Tenor Madness will also be in residence at the Sax Shop repair room in case you need your horn worked on. Check out the schedule below for a full list of events!
Interested in attending? Please click the button below to reserve your spot now! Due to limited seating and high demand for this exciting event, RSVP is required.
Questions about saxophones or Saxophone Day? Contact Daryk Narum, Director of Saxophone Sales at 763-566-4560 or by email saxshop@schmittmusic.com.
Questions about the TC Saxophone Camp contact Emily Brewer at brewe141@umn.edu.
Schedule of Events
10AM - 11AM: Store Open / Shop Time
11AM - 12AM: Dr. Preston Duncan/Steve Cole Performance
In Auditorium
Dr. Preston Duncan
An internationally acclaimed performer and educator based out of Minneapolis, Preston Duncan has been hailed as “displaying his saxophone mastery” (The Indianapolis Star) with “virtuosic brilliance” (the Muncie Star/Press) as a “terrific talent” (Marvin Hamlisch).
Duncan currently teaches saxophone at the University of Minnesota. During the summer he teaches on the faculty at Ticino Musica International in Lugano Switzerland and Shell Lake Arts Center. He has premiered works by Bernard Rands, Ernesto Pellegrini, Joseph Dangerfield, Kenneth Fuchs and many others. Duncan performs exclusively on the Buffet Senzo saxophone and Legere Reeds
Steve Cole
Saxophonist Steve Cole is one of the most celebrated players in contemporary jazz. The Chicago native exploded onto the scene in 1998 with his Atlantic Records release “Stay Awhile” that was produced by fellow Chicagoan Brian Culbertson. The album scored multiple #1 hits and earned Cole the Oasis Smooth Jazz Award for best new artist shortly before his sophomore set, “Between Us,” was released in 2000. His hit singles made him an instant radio favorite and he cranked them out with regularity on subsequent major label releases “NY LA” (2003), “Spin” (2005), “True” (2006), “Moonlight” (2009), “Pulse” (2013), "Turn It Up" (2016), “Gratitude” (2019), and “Smoke and Mirrors” (2021).
In addition to his work as solo artist, Steve has performed/recorded, with Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Boz Scaggs, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber, Jim Peterik, Freddie Cole, Cyrus Chestnut, and KMFDM, and has been a featured soloist with the City of Prague Orchestra, and The Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Steve is also a founding member of The Sax Pack, a stellar sax trio completed by Kim Waters and Jeff Kashiwa.
12PM - 1PM: Theo Wanne Mouthpiece Clinic
In Auditorium
Please come back later, for more information.
1PM - 2PM: Shop Time
1:15PM - 1:45PM: TC Saxophone Camp Ensemble
Outside of Sax Shop
Please come back later, for more information.2PM - 3PM: Leo P Clinic
In Auditorium
Leo Pellegrino, popularly known as Leo P, is an American saxophone player from Pittsburgh, PA. His chops on the baritone sax and unique dance moves alongside his ever-changing hair color and matching outfits have taken him from the subways of New York City to featured status at Royal Albert Hall and international prominence.
3PM - 4PM: Doug Lawrence Performance
In Auditorium
Born in Louisiana and raised in New Mexico, tenor saxophonist Doug Lawrence spent over 25 years making a name for himself in New York City. Doug has performed and recorded with a number of iconic artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Nancy Wilson, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Celia Cruz, Benny Goodman, Stevie Wonder, Buck Clayton, Wild Bill Davis, Jimmy Cobb, Clyde Stubblefield and many others. Doug has appeared at virtually every major concert hall and performance venue in the world and has performed for 6 Presidents, the Royal Families of England, Sweden and other heads of state around the world. For the last 25+ years Doug has been the featured tenor saxophone soloist with the Legendary Multi Grammy® winning Count Basie Orchestra.
Doug performs and records with many of todays leading artists including Joey DeFrancesco, Ledisi, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Louis Hayes, Andra Day, George Cables, Peter Bernstein, Rita Payes, Carmen Bradford, Jamie Cullum, Billie Eilish, Jerry Weldon and others. Doug keeps a busy schedule touring the world performing and recording as a featured solo artist and leader of his own bands, as well as continuing his tenure with the venerable Count Basie Orchestra.
4PM - 5PM: Leo P Concert
In Auditorium
Leo Pellegrino, popularly known as Leo P, is an American saxophone player from Pittsburgh, PA. His chops on the baritone sax and unique dance moves alongside his ever-changing hair color and matching outfits have taken him from the subways of New York City to featured status at Royal Albert Hall and international prominence.
