Don - Saxophone and Vocals

 

Don's career as a performing musician actually started in his teen years and continued through college and graduate school where he earned a masters degree in music education.  While still in high school, Don's performing career flourished as he played backup with Gladys Knight and the Pips.  As well as performing and touring professionally as a sax player with several bands over the years, Don also has a more serious side.  As a public school band director, his bands have earned hundreds of awards.  He is a past president of the Michigan Competing Band Directors Association and a certified solo and ensemble judge for the Michigan Band and Orchestra Association. 

Don enjoys playing all styles of music, including jazz, big band, standards, classical, concert band, country and especially rock and roll.  Most influential, however, has been the band CHICAGO and the great Chicago horn parts.  As well as his accomplishments on saxophone he has also played bass guitar in several bands.  Don also enjoys singing harmony and with his extensive formal and informal background he pays particular attention to vocal blend within Rhythm 21.  "I love playing with this group.  They are an exceptionally talented group of musicians."