Saxophonist Mike Wilson is a freelance musician and educator based in Tallahassee, FL. Currently active throughout the Southeast United States, Mike is the Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Troy University in Troy, AL and maintains a private woodwind studio with students of all ages and backgrounds.

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An advocate for multiple musical disciplines, Mike specializes in both classical and jazz idioms, teaching and performing in a variety of settings.  As a concert saxophonist, Mike has been invited to various NASA (North American Saxophone Alliance) conferences to perform as a soloist and chamber musician. In 2018, Mike was a guest artist at The University of North Florida (Jacksonville, FL) and Drake University (Des Moines, IA) providing masterclasses and performances with Duo Vim, a double saxophone collaboration with saxophonist, Alexia Perez. As a chamber musician Mike has competed heavily throughout his career in saxophone quartets and woodwind quintets, placing in both Iowa and Louisiana MTNA State and Regional Divisions (2014-17), placing first in the NOLA Chamber Fest Graduate Competition with the Magnolia  Saxophone Quartet, (2018) and 3rd place with the LSU Reed Quintet (2019).

 

As a jazz musician, Mike has had the pleasure of performing throughout the United States and Europe with various jazz ensembles and chamber groups. Mike held lead saxophone positions at both Drake University and Louisiana State University's premier jazz ensembles and combos, as well as popular wedding groups in the south Louisiana and the New Orleans area. Mike regularly arranges and composes new music for small groups and big band and was fortunate enough to have LSU premier his arrangement of, "In a Sentimental Mood", by the LSU Jazz Ensemble in the Fall of 2016. Mike is currently the saxophonist for Steelhouse Band in New Orleans, LA. 

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As an educator, Mike is in demand for adjudication and private instruction. Since 2014, Mike has regularly instructed multiple student's of varying skill levels throughout the midwest and southeast. While in Louisiana, Mike was instructor of saxophone, flute, and clarinet at St. Aloysius Catholic School (2016-2019) and Instructor of Saxophone at the Louisiana State University, Stately Oaks Honor Camp (2016-2019). Mike has also worked with many high school band programs providing private lessons, summer camp instruction, and marching band instruction. Many of Mike's student's have been accepted into the All-State, Jazz, and Honor Band Programs. 

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Mike received his M.M. (Master's in Music Performance) from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, under the guidance of Dr. Griffin Campbell and his B.M. (Bachelor's in Music Performance with a Jazz Concentration) from Drake University, Des Moines, IA, under the tutelage of Dr. James Romain.

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Mike performs on Selmer and Tenor Madness Saxophones, with D'Addario Reeds.

 

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