Wally West

Wally West on the JodyJazz HR* Alto/Tenor And Classic Soprano Sax Mouthpiece

"The JodyJazz HR* mouthpieces that I use on both alto and tenor sax and the Classic Black mouthpiece I use on soprano are the epitome of "complete" for the type of playing that I do. The versatility that I'm called to perform, and hence demand of my mouthpieces -- everything from straight ahead jazz and screaming R&B to classical symphony pops -- is comfortably apparent through the effortlessness I experience with your mouthpieces. I think it is safe to say that the saxophone community should now feel at ease in cleaning out their drawers of unused mouthpieces. I know the ones on my horn now are the ones I'll use from now on. Jody, thanks for sharing your gifts as a mouthpiece expert with us."

Wally West Biography

Wally West is an award-winning and critically acclaimed musician who embraces a unique and deep-rooted passion for the performance and teaching of music. Wally was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1961. He attended Walter Hines Page High School, and then immediately went on to earn a Bachelor of Music Degree in Saxophone Performance from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA in 1983.

Wally has performed all across the US, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, touring, recording, and performing with such popular acts as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, The Four Tops, The Temptations and Natalie Cole, as well as Tony Bennett, Mercer Ellington, Ellis Marsalis and countless other jazz artists. Mr. West is a proud member and executive director of the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, the state's most celebrated jazz orchestra. He has also performed across the country with the USO Jazz Orchestra and the USAirways Jazz Orchestra, performing for presidents Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, and other entertainment, political and military dignitaries. He is in demand as a studio session player, recording jingles, commercials, and corporate video soundtracks. Wally has served as musical contractor and recording artist for Kindermusik International, and is also visible on the Motown, EMI, Rockhouse and New Moon record labels as a recording artist. He has served on the jazz studies faculty at UNC-Chapel Hill. Wally's wife Cathy is the Coordinator of Musical Arts at Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro. They have a nine-year-old son, Aaron.

Mr. West has been featured on the cover and in an eight–page article/interview in Saxophone Journal. Wally serves as music director and project coordinator for the John Coltrane Jazz Workshop in High Point, NC and also is musical director for the High Point Youth Jazz Orchestra. Often Mr. West is called upon to perform as an adjudicator and clinician for high school and college jazz festivals. Wally serves on the Board of Advisors at Guilford Technical Community College’s Larry Gatlin School of Entertainment Technology. He is an artist-endorser for YAMAHA musical instruments.

Wally has extensive experience in performing for your special event - wedding ceremonies and receptions, luncheons, dinner parties, social affairs, country club functions - any event where music is apropos. His groups are comprised of the area’s most talented, dedicated and reputable musicians that combine years of education and experience to assure you of a special musical performance that is custom-tailored to suit your needs.

Wally West is a proud member in good standing of the following organizations: International Association for Jazz Education, NARAS (National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences—The Grammys) American Federation of Musicians, Better Business Bureau, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Greensboro Merchants Association.

 

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