Improving Section Playing
Clinic Synopsis:
Join the Airmen of Note saxophone section as they demonstrate and discuss the intricacies of big band saxophone section playing and rehearsing, using classic big band pieces in varying styles. Questions welcomed and encouraged.
The USAF Airmen of Note Saxophone Section
- Biographical Information
Mike Cemprola - Biographical Information
Technical Sgt. Michael Cemprola is the second alto saxophonist with the Airmen of Note, The United States Air Force Band, Washington, D.C. A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his Air Force career began in 2016 when he was assigned to The United States Air Force Band with the Airmen of Note.
Prior to his service with The United States Air Force Band, Cemprola was an adjunct professor at University of the arts from 2007 through 2016 and Camden County College from 2013 through 2016. He has performed with numerous jazz legends and icons of American music, including the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Terell Stafford and the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, The Pennsylvania Ballet, Johnny Mathis, and Aretha Franklin.
Cemprola's Air Force career highlights include Jazz Heritage Series performances with guest artists Peter Erskine and Branford Marsalis in addition to performing at the 2017 Jacksonville Jazz Festival and the 2018 Jazz Education Network Conference in Dallas. He is featured on the Airmen of Note recordings, "Veterans of Jazz," "Global Reach," and "Air Power."
A graduate of the University of the Arts, Cemprola earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Jazz Studies. While in attendance, he studied with Ron Kerber, Chris Farr and Ben Schachter.
Tedd Baker - Biographical Information
Master Sgt. Tedd Baker is a tenor saxophonist with the Airmen of Note, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Baker's career in the Air Force began in 2002.
A graduate of the New England Conservatory, Baker completed a bachelor's degree. He then attended the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, where he earned his master's degree. While at Queens College, he placed first in the 2000 Hilton Head Jazz Society Competition. In 2001 he toured South America, Central America, and Jamaica for the U.S. Department of State Jazz Ambassador Program.
Baker's Air Force career highlights include Operation Desert Greetings, numerous Jazz Heritage Series concerts with leading guest artists, performances at national jazz festivals, and several recorded albums.
Outside the Airmen of Note, Baker has been privileged to work with a wide variety of jazz greats and contemporary artists including Barry Harris, David Sanborn, Slide Hampton, Eddie Daniels, Jason Moran, Sean Jones, and Wycliffe Gordon among others. He has also performed and/or recorded with New York Voices, Bobby Caldwell, Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra under the direction of David Baker, Bohemian Caverns All-Stars, Amina Figarova Sextet, and the Artie Shaw Orchestra. In addition, Baker's recordings "Mugshots," and "Duos Vol. 1" have received rave reviews from JazzTimes, All About Jazz, and The Washington Post.
Grant Langford - Biographical Information
Senior Master Sgt. Grant M. Langford is a saxophonist with the Airmen of Note, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, his career in the Air Force began in 2008.
Before joining the Air Force, he performed with The Count Basie Orchestra, Ray Charles Orchestra, and the Lionel Hampton Orchestra.
A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Langford received a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Performance.
Seth Ebersole - Biographical Information
Technical Sgt. Seth Ebersole is a baritone saxophonist with the Airmen of Note. The ensemble’s newest member, Ebersole’s Air Force career began in 2022.
Ebersole hails from Southeast Pennsylvania. He has performed as a bandleader and sideman at such venues as Cliff Bells, the Detroit Jazz Festival, Michigan Jazz Festival, Lansing Jazz Festival, Flint Jazz Festival, and Merrimans Playhouse. He has appeared and recorded with such artists as Etienne Charles, Terell Stafford, and Justin Lee-Schultz. In April of 2018, Ebersole released his debut record “Sometimes I’m Happy” featuring performances by Rodney Whitaker, Diego Rivera, and Randy Napoleon. The next year, he premiered “In Absentia,” a suite of original music with a tour through the midwest culminating in a live recording session at the Robin Theatre in Lansing. He is currently working on his followup record, “Dear Emily,” recorded in late 2021.
Ebersole served as the Jazz Woodwind Faculty at the Kalamazoo Jazz & Creative Institute and Jazz Artist in Residence at Saginaw Valley State University. He holds a Masters in Jazz Studies from the prestigious Michigan State University College of Music. He was mentored by Dick Oatts of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra as well as the great tenor saxophonists, Diego Rivera and Timothy Warfield Jr.
Kristian Baarsvik - Biographical Information
Master Sgt. Kristian Baarsvik is the lead alto saxophonist with the Airmen of Note, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. A native of Marion, Massachusetts, Sergeant Baarsvik’s Air Force career began in 2011 at The USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL. Sergeant Baarsvik joined the Airmen of Note in 2019, where career highlights include the Jazz Heritage Series performances and recordings, with jazz luminaries Chris Potter, Christian McBride, Randy Brecker, John Fedchock, Diane Schuur, Sean Jones, Ted Nash, and Peter Bernstein. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. While there, Baarsvik studied with Gary Keller, Whit Sidener, Hal Crook, Paul Demarinis, Debra Richtmeyer and Adrianne Honnold.
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