Saxophonist, Jody Espina, has done it all. He is a highly regarded and much in-demand jazz saxophonist, clarinetist and flutist with a unique and personal sound.
From 1985 to 2008, New York City was his stomping ground until he relocated to Savannah in the spring of 2008.
He has performed and toured with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Mel Torme, Milton Berle, Patty Page, Eddie Arnold, Louis Bellson, Don Alias, Bob Moses, Dave Douglas,, Lew Solof, Vic Juris, Harvie Swartz, the Charlie Persip Superband, Rachel Z, and the Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble.
He is a frequent conductor of Soundpainting and has given seminars and workshops in Europe and the United States teaching it.
He has performed in recording sessions, jingles, appeared with Broadway pit orchestras, and played in pop, R&B, funk and avant-garde groups. He has done numerous sessions for film, television and CD recordings.
Espina is president of the internationally renowned JodyJazz Saxophone and Clarinet Mouthpieces.
Espina coordinated the Jazz Department at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale, N.Y. He also was adjunct professor of saxophone and clarinet at Concordia College in Bronxville, N.Y.
Espina was professor of saxophone, clarinet and flute in Barcelona, Spain, and the director of the Big Band at the Aula de Musica i Moderna Jazz.
He has been involved with the Grammys In The Schools Program, bringing performing artists to inner city schools and has written and performed “What Is Jazz?” -an entertaining educational concert for children.
In Savannah, Espina is a board member of The Savannah Children’s Choir, and coaches for the jazz band at the Savannah Country Day School and also gives lessons for the Salvation Army.
The show will be held Aug. 23 at 5 p.m. at Four Points by Sheraton Historic Savannah, 520 West Bryan St., at the corner of Bryan and MLK .
The event is free for Coastal Jazz Association members and $10 for non-members. Join and admission is free.
For more information visit www.coastal-jazz.org or call (912) 675-5419.
