Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

 

Andrew Rathbun is a Canadian saxophonist, composer, and educator who has made a significant impact on the world of classical music. Born in 1964 in Toronto, Rathbun grew up in a musical family and began playing the saxophone at a young age. He studied at the University of Toronto and later at the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Master's degree in Jazz Performance. Rathbun's career as a musician began in the 1990s, when he started performing with various jazz ensembles in New York City. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented saxophonist and composer, and his music began to be featured on recordings by other artists. In 1997, he released his debut album as a bandleader, entitled "True Stories." Over the next few years, Rathbun continued to perform and record with various jazz groups, but he also began to explore classical music. He studied composition with John Corigliano and Robert Beaser, and his compositions began to be performed by classical ensembles such as the New York New Music Ensemble and the Prism Saxophone Quartet. In 2003, Rathbun released his first album of classical music, entitled "Jade." The album featured his compositions for saxophone and string quartet, and it received critical acclaim. The following year, he released another classical album, "Affairs of State," which featured his compositions for saxophone and orchestra. Rathbun's career as a classical composer continued to flourish in the years that followed. He composed works for a variety of ensembles, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. His music has been performed at major venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. In addition to his work as a composer, Rathbun has also continued to perform as a saxophonist. He has recorded several albums as a bandleader, including "Shadow Forms" and "Numbers & Letters," and he has performed with jazz legends such as Phil Woods and Kenny Wheeler. Throughout his career, Rathbun has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a musician and composer. In 2005, he was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, which allowed him to continue his work as a composer. He has also received grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the American Composers Forum. Rathbun is also an accomplished educator, and he has taught at several universities and music schools throughout his career. He currently serves as a professor of music at Western University in London, Ontario. In conclusion, Andrew Rathbun is a talented and versatile musician who has made significant contributions to both the jazz and classical music worlds. His compositions for saxophone and other ensembles have been widely performed and recorded, and his work as a saxophonist has earned him a reputation as one of the top players in the field. With his continued dedication to music and education, Rathbun is sure to remain a major figure in the world of classical music for years to come.

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