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John Wojciechowski
Saxophonist John Wojciechowski, of whom the Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich wrote: “…technically accomplished, musically profound and harmonically daring” is originally from Detroit and has spent the last 18 years performing and teaching in Chicago. In addition to leading his own groups, he has performed or recorded with The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Woody Herman Orchestra, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Clark Terry, Charlie Haden, and Kurt Elling among many others. John was also a third place finalist in the 1996 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. John is or has been a member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Dana Hall’s spring, the Jeff Campbell Trio (w/ John Hollenbeck), the Chicago Yestet, Ryan Cohan’s Sextet, and the New Standard Jazz Orchestra. John has appeared on dozens of recordings as a sideman, and has two recordings as a leader: “Lexicon", released in 2009 and “Focus” which was released in the fall of 2015 on Origin records to critical acclaim.
Besides being an active performer, John (a National Board Certified Teacher) is also an educator noted for his versatility, creativity and enthusiasm. He has taught at the public school as well as university levels and has appeared all over the country as a guest artist, clinician and conductor. He is currently on the music faculty at St. Charles North High School in St. Charles, Illinois where he teaches Jazz Bands, Concert Band and Music Theory. His student groups have performed at the IAJE Conference, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, JEN Conference and the Illinois All-State Music Educator Conference. In addition to his public school teaching, he has also taught at Northern Illinois University and Northwestern University.
Awards
3rd place in 1996 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition
Gear
John Wojciechowski uses and endorses P. Mauriat Saxophones and Boston Sax Shop reeds, mouthpieces and accessories.
Tags
Scott Burns / John Wojciechowski / Geof Bradfield: Tenor Time
![Read "Tenor Time" reviewed by Jack Bowers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/694910c210f775bea2320a4aecbcc1ff.jpg)
by Jack Bowers
Tenor Time unveils the talents of a trio of Chicago-area tenor saxophonists, each of whom--presumablysolos on each of the album's eight numbers. The qualifier is necessary because the solo order is not given and, skillful as they are, the tenors sound much like triplets at the same workbench. That is to say that in terms of tone, technique and improvisation, they more closely resemble Tweedledee and Tweedledum than, say, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims and Hank Mobley. If ...
read moreRyan Cohan: Originations
![Read "Originations" reviewed by Paul Rauch](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/aa798cde08b98b2221ec16b04120a4cc.jpg)
by Paul Rauch
There is a risk in creating art that reflects in essence, one's own personal journey. What that journey reveals within the context of one life may not carry the same value to a collective audience. In the case of Chicago based composer/pianist Ryan Cohan, his explorative delve into his own bi-cultural roots as presented on his new release, Originations (Origin, 2020), would not resonate with listeners if the music itself was not thrilling. Music provides unity like no other communicative ...
read moreJohn Wojciechowski: Focus
![Read "Focus" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/Focus_Front_Cover.jpg)
by Dan Bilawsky
Every now and then you encounter a musician who has it together in so many ways, yet has largely managed to avoid national recognition. Saxophonist John Wojciechowski is one such player. While those with strong enough memories might recall that the Michigan-bred Wojciechowski took third place--behind Jon Gordon and Jimmy Greene--at the 1996 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, those same people may come up empty on this figure after that. But that's not because there's nothing ...
read moreSaxophonist/Composer John Wojciechowski's "Focus" Due For Sept. 18 Release By Origin Records
![Saxophonist/Composer John Wojciechowski's "Focus" Due For Sept. 18 Release By Origin Records](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/Focus_Front_Cover.jpg)
Source:
Terri Hinte Publicity
Tenor, alto, and soprano saxophonist John Wojciechowski has been a mainstay of jny: Chicago's world-class jazz scene since his arrival from jny: Detroit in 2002, forging close alliances with first-call musicians such as pianist Ryan Cohan, bassist Dennis Carroll, and drummer Dana Hall. Those players happen to be the members of his tightly-knit working quartet, who appear on his outstanding new CD Focus. Origin Records will release the disc, Wojciechowski’s first for the label, on September 18. Boasting seven strong ...
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Photos
Music
Fishin' Again
From: Fishin' Again: A Tribute to...By John Wojciechowski
Imaginary Lines
From: OriginationsBy John Wojciechowski