George Bouchard
Saxophone
George was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He didn’t have formal training in music during his early school years, although his love of Jazz was evident at a young age.
It wasn’t until his third year of college that George decided to take up the saxophone. Three years later, having completed a degree program at the University of Buffalo with a major in Economics, George joined the Navy and was a musician in the service for the next four years. During this time, he completed the rigorous Berklee School of Music correspondence course in arranging.
After the Navy, George earned a Master’s Degree in Composition from Memphis State University, and wrote a symphonic poem for his thesis. He began his college teaching career immediately upon graduation.
In 2001, George’s book, “Intermediate Jazz Improvisation”, was published. It was heralded as an instant classic in the field. George is honored to be the author of an important and recognized text in his chosen field.
George used the composite of life experiences as source material for a second major creative work, “MELLOW LANE,” his CD of originals, released in 2008. The music addresses life experiences we can all relate to, and in that sense is timeless in it’s message.
In 2012, George produced two additional CDs of instrumental standards. “DON’T RUSH THE DAWN” is a quartet recording with musicians from the Louisville area, and “WITH ALL DUE RESPECT” features a sextet from Long Island, where George lives. One more CD of original material is planned.
George has worked as a educator/clinician, and has played in concerts since 1976, with the Summer Jazz Workshops, run by renowned Jazz educator Jamey Aebersold. Over the years, George has been in the company with, and had a chance to teach with and/or play with, some of the greatest giants in the jazz world, such as Dave Liebman, James Moody, Woody Shaw, and Joe Henderson.
George is Full Professor in Music at Nassau Community College. He lives in Westbury, New York.
