Mr. Chris Mickel, Saxophonist and music educator, currently resides in his hometown of Charleston, West Virginia. He has been playing saxophone for over 25 years, having studied jazz and classical performance. He is a versatile musician and has experience performing in many settings from rock and jazz to chamber music and solo classical repertoire.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from West Virginia State University in 1999, a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from the University of Louisville in 2002, and a Doctor of Musical arts degree in saxophone performance from West Virginia University in 2011.
He has studied saxophone with the following teachers: Michael Ibrahim, Morgantown, WV (2008 – 2011); David Wright, Morgantown, WV (2007 – 2008); John Moore, Louisville, KY (2001 – 2002); Michael Tracy, Louisville, KY (2000 – 2001); Gary Stringer, Charleston, WV (1996 – 1999); and Mel Gillespie, Charleston, WV (1992 – 1996).
His current musical activities include his private saxophone studio and his work with the C2J2 Quartet based in Charleston, WV. He has also recorded two CD’s with the C2J2 Quartet: a self-titled studio recording which is currently available through Kunaki CD distribution and a live recording entitled “Live @ the Glass”.
He currently has new projects in the works in the form of new studio releases with C2J2 and a classical saxophone recording which with pianist Victor Chan.
Some of his notable performances are:
Participation in various concerts with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra; performed as a soloist at the 2009 Region 8 conference of the North American Saxophone Alliance; played the lead tenor saxophone chair in the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra; performed as a soloist at the 2009 Conference for the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States; performed as a soloist at the 2010 National Conference for the North American Saxophone Alliance; performed as featured soloist on faculty recitals and with the Jazz Ensemble at West Virginia State University; performed as featured soloist and accompanist on numerous student recitals and with the West Virginia University Big Band, Little Big Band, Saxophone Quartet, and various other ensembles.
Dr. Mickel has two CDs available through Kunaki Distribution: “C2J2” and “C2J2: Live @ The Glass“. You can contact Him at his web site: www.chrismickel.com where you can learn more about him, listen to recordings, and view live performances.
Chris is an Endorsing Artist for Sax Dakota and plays Tenor Sax Model SDT-XG 606 exclusively.
