Orlando Madrid

A native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Orlando Madrid is quickly gaining recognition for his soulful, innovative and unique voice on the alto saxophone. His talents as a gifted saxophonist, composer, and educator have made him an in-demand musician who has performed at jazz clubs, jazz festivals, schools and concert halls all over the country and in Asia.  

Orlando has performed regularly in the Las Cruces, El Paso,  Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rochester and New York City areas with nationally touring artists and local jazz musicians. During his study in New Mexico, he performed with the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra (AJO), Entourage Jazz, popular local Bohemian Folk band Cactus Tractor, Bobby Shew, and Doug Lawrence. He also has had the privilege of sharing the stage with Ingrid Jensen, Marshall Gilkes, Dick Oatts, Jeff Coffin, Tony Lujan, George Stone, Jules Broussard, Eric Alexander, Clay Jenkins, Wynton Marsalis, Ted Nash, Rich Perry,  Jerry Lopez & The Santa Fe Horns, Charles Pillow Big Band, The Temptations, and The Frank SInatra Orchestra. Orlando was selected as Lead Alto for the 2015 Mid-Atlantic Contemporary Collegiate Honor Jazz Orchestra, which performed at Dizzy’s Coca-Cola Club and the Maryland Jazz Festival under the direction of grammy nominated and saxophonist/composer, Ted Nash. 

His first saxophone teacher was Tony Montaño at Picacho Middle School. It was because of Tony that he fell in love with saxophone. He then attended Mayfield High School under the direction of Neil Swapp and Kathleen Dollahon and then pursued a Bachelor’s in Music Education at the University of New Mexico studying with Dr.Eric Lau and Glenn Kostur. Orlando holds a Master’s Degree from the Eastman School of Music where he studied under renown woodwind doubler, jazz saxophonist, and teacher, Charles Pillow. Orlando recently graduated with an Artist Diploma from New York University where he studied with Rich Perry, Dave Liebman and Chris Potter. He also studied composition and arranging with Ed Neumiester and Rich Shemaria.  

Orlando has recorded on 7 albums as to date; “Nakshatras” by composer Lauren Coons, “Lydian Water Songs Part II” Cactus Tractor, “Tales of Imagination” the UNM Wind Ensemble, “Audacity” the UNM Jazz Ensemble Album, “Things Are looking Up” by Entourage Jazz, “Eastman School of Music Departmental Album of 2016” at Eastman School of Music. 

Orlando’s debut album is set to release this March 2024 entitled, “From This Moment Forward” original compositions by Orlando. This album features 4 of some of the finest jazz musicians in New York City and an extraordinary guest, master trumpeter, musician, composer, and Grammy Award-Nominated Mike Rodriguez (trumpet).

Mike Rodriguez, trumpet
Robert Papacica, guitar
Arnie Sainz, piano
Marshal, Herridge, bass
Jonas Esser, drums

Gear

Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone

Vandoren A6 S+

Vandoren Reeds