Chris Kelsey

Born: June 5, 1961

In the 1990s, soprano saxophonist Chris Kelsey was a fixture on the Downtown New York scene, his fiery yet lissome horn lighting up the neighborhood’s bars and galleries—most notably the Knitting Factory, then the world’s epicenter of experimental music. He also chronicled the scene as a journalist, writing and reviewing for Cadence, Jazziz, JazzTimes, and more. His pen was as fearless as his music.

Then, in the early aughts, Kelsey stepped away.

The cultural aftershocks of 9/11 were a devastating blow to the Downtown scene. Venues like the Knitting Factory wilted and died. Kelsey’s live appearances became rare. By the late 2010s, he had stopped writing about jazz entirely. Many assumed he’d left the music behind.

Tedd Baker

Born: August 29, 1974

Tenor and soprano saxophonist Tedd Baker brings raw energy to every performance by creating a unique soulful sound full of original phrases based firmly in the tradition. Tedd strives to connect immediately with his patrons and fellow band mates as is evident in the approving hollers on the bandstand and the applause in the audience. Tedd is also well respected among his peers and has a great rapport among fellow musicians. Both a composer and performer, Tedd is celebrating the release of his all-original debut CD "MUGSHOTS" this year. Born in Binghamton, NY, Tedd was raised near Boston and started studying piano at the age of 6

Albert Rivera

Born: July 23, 1983

Contemporary, smooth, and eclectic �C three words that just begin to describe Albert Rivera, ��a modern Jazz Messenger�� with one of the most exciting and sought-after saxophone sounds in today��s jazz scene. His four albums, Re-Introduction, Inner Peace (Turnaround Records) Back At It and Live at the Litchfield Jazz Festival (Truth Revolution Records) was warmly embraced by critics, who call Albert and his bandmates,�� young artists who are part of the next wave in this jazz ritual.�� (Downbeat Magazine) Albert Rivera��s musical journey began at the prestigious Laguardia High School in New York City and continued throughout the summers at the Litchfield Jazz Camp

Jim Goetsch

The music of Jim Goetsch is the product of a widely divergent background that includes extensive jazz experience on saxophone, performance of avant garde classical works on clarinet and bass clarinet, tours with blues legend Albert King and Senegalese griot Mor Thiam, and a long history of performing electronic music in the Los Angeles area. He currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is primarily engaged in two projects at this time.

Baker’s Brew is an experimental jazz ensemble led by veteran drummer Maury Baker, which features total improvisation as well as the group improvising their parts over four channel electronic compositions by Jim. Their release “New Works” has been hailed as “An Album of the Future” by the Italian magazine JAZZit.

Soprano Sax

By Sidney Bechet

Label: Not On Label
Released: 1989

Soprano Sax

By Zoot Sims

Label: Zoot
Released: 1976