Saunders was born in Atlanta, Georgia, raised in Birmingham Alabama. He has a BS from UGA and played in the Redcoat Band and Jazz Ensemble for four years. He followed up with his MD degree from MCG, a Residency at MCG in Orthopedic Surgery. He was involved in a local Big Band there as well as rock and roll bands. Next awas a Fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery and Asst. Professor @ UAB playing sax during all of this.
Saunders is an Orthopedic Surgeon by training, a Jazz player since the 4th grade. He's now retired and playing around north Georgia. He plays in several big bands around Atlanta as well as a combo and Dixieland. He is an Asst. Professor in the Biology Department at Kennesaw State University and teaches Anatomy and Physiology.
He's played with: UGA Redcoat Band, UGA Jazz Ensemble, AV Node and the Valves of Houston, Flashback, Augusta Big Band. He's played with “Whisperin’” Bill Anderson, James Brown, Sentimental Journey Orchestra, Atlanta Swing Orchestra ,GPC Jazz Ensemble, Peachtree Jazz Edition, Multiple Churches. He's the Musical Director of the EJS Big Band.
His instrument(s):Saxophones (all) and clarinet
His influences:
UGA Roger Dancz and Steve Dancz ,Scott Slade, Dana Taylor, Tim Burton, Tim Crump, Randy Hunter, Sam Skelton
"I knew I wanted to be a musician when... my mother made me practice piano".
My sound and approach to music: Whatever makes me feel good...musical and melodic.....not too out of the box....really old guy stuff I usually sneak up on it… sounds kinda like garbage cans falling over."
Favorite recording in my discography (and why): Anything by Eric Alexander. His tone is great. Most people like his technique but he does it with great tone all the time!
|
