Journeys – ensemble

Biography

Important progress has recently been made in developing saxophones that can be played with only one hand. Today’s session will explore these developments featuring instrument modifications executed in the United States and in Europe. This presentation brings together the largest group one one-handed saxophones and saxophonists the world has ever seen in one place.
The musicians in this presentation range from amateurs to active professionals. What they share is the fact that they have each faced life-changing adversity, and have returned to the saxophone thanks to recent work in saxophone adaptations.

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Dr. David Nabb is Professor of Music at the University of Nebraska Kearney. He has performed throughout the United States, Asia, Europe, and in the Middle East.
Since surviving a stroke 2000, David has worked with Jeff Stelling to develop a “toggle-key” saxophone mechanism that can be played with the one hand only. In July 2013, the toggle-key they developed was selected to receive the OHMI-Ars Electronica Award in the “playable” category. In 2011 Nabb and Stelling received awards for their work with musical instrument adaptations at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Stefan Tiefenbacher was born in October 1975. Stefan began to study saxophone seriously at the age of 12. After graduating from Realschule, Stefan began preparing for a career in architectural drafting. At the same time he earned spending money by playing saxophone in various bands. As his musical work continued, Stephan was able to finance his formal studies with his saxophone playing. In the fall of 1999, after gaining the Abitur (college admission’s diploma) he earned admission to study architectural engineering.
Three days after receiving his Abitur, Stefan Tiefenbacher was involved in of a serious motorcycle accident resulting in the complete loss of his left arm, a partial amputation of his left leg, as well as traumatic brain injury.
Stefan has returned to a life with the saxophone via a Selmer Mark VI tenor adapted for one-handed saxophone by Martin Foag of Munich, Germany. [http://www.musik-foag.de]

Joe Kay was first introduced to the alto saxophone in the fourth grade. In the sixth grade, he began receiving private lessons from Michael Hester. In 2004, on the night before his 18th birthday, Joe suffered a debilitating stroke. After his stroke, he was unable to play the saxophone. However, in 2011, Joe contacted David Nabb and Jeff Stelling. Stelling built an original left-handed alto saxophone for Joe. Joe received the saxophone in January 2014. Joe completed a Masters in Social Work from Arizona State University in 2014, and has a Bachelors from Standford.

Mike McNamara began playing saxophone at the age of 10. He began private lessons and playing in school bands throughout middle and high school. Mike was the featured saxophone player in the jazz band and wind ensemble under the direction of Marc Kaplan. Michael McNamara undertook music studies at Providence College in Rhode Island and earned a BA in Music Education with a K–12 certification in music. Studying under Dr. Chris Kelton and Dr. Jennifer Bill, Michael was awarded the Rev. Leo W. Canon Award in 2008.
On graduation weekend Mike was diagnosed with meduloblastoma, a brain tumor typically found in children. After surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, Mike has diligently fought his way back to health and music. Mike returned to playing saxophone in 2014 with a one-handed saxophone built by Stelling Brass & Winds in 2014.