Saxquest is a woodwind pro-shop specializing in both vintage and new professional model saxophones and clarinets. We're a family run business with over 25 years of experience dealing in instruments. Our storefront is located in the charming, increasingly hipster Cherokee-Lemp historic district of St. Louis, Missouri. Saxquest feels right at home on a street teaming with antique shops, great dive-y ethnic restaurants, and a local brew pub.

The shop is owned by Mark and Elke Overton and employs nine. Everyone at Saxquest is a professional musician and we all understand the joys and frustrations involved in trying to find the perfect instrument. We know first-hand what you expect (and don't expect or want) from a music instrument dealer. It is our goal to provide both the professional musician and the advanced student with the best possible value and the most personalized professional service available anywhere. Our combined expertise allows us to make the claim that finding the perfect saxophone or clarinet has never been easier.

The Saxquest full-service repair shop has garnered national attention and can perform complete mechanical restorations and caters specifically to musicians who demand top-professional level work. In addition to local repairs, Saxquest commissions repair work from many of the most discriminating professional players all over the country. Attention is always given toward maintaining the historical integrity of vintage instruments and every customer's horn is given equal care and attention.

Located on the 2nd floor of the shop, the Saxquest Saxophone Museum showcases a huge collection of many of the finest, rarest and most historically significant saxophones in the world as well as a collection of vintage saxophone accessories and other historical saxophone memorabilia. The museum serves as an invaluable learning resource for both our sales and repair staff .The museum is free and open to the public and is a real treasure for the music lover or the eclectic museum goer.

If you're ever in St. Louis, give us a buzz and stop by for a visit. There are several local jazz clubs within minutes, including Jazz St Louis and Powell Symphony Hall and the Sheldon Concert Hall are less than two miles away. We support St. Louis as a thriving cultural center and would be thrilled to share it with you.

Mark Overton

Mark Overton started Saxquest in 2000 with a vision of creating a mecca for saxophone players to find great equipment, share knowledge/learn about their instrument and engage in safe honest transactions with a knowledgeable sales staff in both a brick & mortar retail store and over the Internet. This vision has led to the creation of two ventures, a retail store front-repair shop at www.saxquest.com and a social media website for saxophone players at www.saxophone.org. Mark has been active in the St. Louis jazz scene since 1993 and founded Code Blue, a Jazz Messengers style sextet and the Saxquest 9-piece Jazz Orchestra. Mark has also performed with such jazz groups as Allegro Jazz Ensemble, Original Knights of Swing, Route 66, Heavy Eddie and the Fat Tones, the Meremec and St. Charles County Community College Jazz Ensembles, and the Brian Clark Band. Other saxophone performances have included appearances with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Louis Youth Symphony, Washington University Wind Ensemble, St. Louis Wind Symphony, University City Orchestra and the Metropolitan Saxophone Quartet. Mark recorded "Come Fly with Me" which received a Down Beat five star award with the University of Northern Iowa Jazz Ensemble. He also recorded with Code Blue on "Jazz for What Ails You, the Soulard Sessions". Mark has served as jazz clinician and guest artist for many local and out of state high schools and colleges. Mark received undergraduate degrees from the University of Northern Iowa in 1993 and completed his PhD in Molecular Cell Biology at Washington University in St. Louis in 2000 where he was also director for five years of the Washington University affiliated big band The Hot Docs. Mark has also worked as an official music instrument appraiser for Antique Roadshow/Trash for Treasure events.

Elke Overton

Elke is a classically trained saxophone player and currently serves as vice president of Saxquest. She received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1993 where she studied saxophone performance with Tom Barry. She completed her Master's in Instrumental Wind Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in 1997 where she studied under the direction of Rodney Winther. Prior to Saxquest, Elke was a high school band director and professor of music at St. Charles County Community College (SCCCC) where she taught the saxophone and clarinet studios. She was also the conductor of the SCCCC Orchestra and director of the SCCCC Jazz Ensemble. Elke champions music education and teaches Music Appreciation, Music History, and Instrumental Conducting. She also serves as adjudicator/clinician for local high school and college events and is an active member of several local, national and international music educator's groups. She has performed with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Metropolitan Saxophone Ensemble, and the St. Louis Wind Symphony. Elke has also performed with a variety of local jazz groups including the Meramec College Jazz Lab Band, Sessions Big Band, Original Knights of Swing, Original Nonet Jazz Orchestra, and Heavy Eddie and the Fat Tones. Elke recorded "Come Fly with Me" which received a Down Beat five star award with the University of Northern Iowa Jazz Ensemble.

Jon Huff

Jon Huff joined Saxquest in 2004. We paint the term "Store Manager" with a broad brush at Saxquest as Jon pretty much does everything to keep things moving smoothly in the shop. Managing the inventory, organizing the consignments, processing and managing daily sales and shipments, and always being quick to answer the phone and/or reply to emails are only a few of the many tasks Jon tackles every day. Jon graduated with a BA in Music from the University of Missouri St Louis in 2003 where he studied classical saxophone with Elke Overton, a degree he wasn't sure how to use until Mark asked him aboard shortly thereafter. Jon is mostly an alto player and he's the only saxophonist in the shop with strictly a classical background. Jon gets a rush from helping people find their dream instrument and is extremely good at listening to the customer’s needs and being able to match them up with the instrument best suited for their unique and individual playing personality.

Zac Minor

Zac Minor's journey with Saxquest began over 16 years ago, when he purchased his trusty Selmer Mark VII tenor. In 2008, Zac officially joined the Saxquest team. Having been a previous Saxquest customer, Zac understands the customer’s view and is the ideal rep to help you on your quest for the perfect saxophone. Zac also serves as product specialist and tester, and does an excellent job of diagnosing customer’s needs and coming up with optimal solutions. In 2011, Zac graduated from Webster University in St. Louis with a Bachelor's degree in Music, Jazz Technology and has studied with Paul DeMarinis, Willie Akins, Willem Von Hon Hombracht and Leo Sagiugt. As an active professional musician, Zac has appeared on a number of original music projects including four full length albums with Al Holliday and The East Side Rhythm Band, two with Miss Molly Simms, and has had the opportunity to perform with a variety of outfits such as Little Feat, The Greyhounds, The Grooveliner and more. You can catch him live in a variety of establishments, performing with his primary project Al Holliday and The East Side Rhythm Band.

Austin Cebulske

Austin Cebulske joined Saxquest in 2016, and can be seen in many of the play-test videos on our website and our youtube channel. He completed his Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2012, and then his Master's degree in Jazz Studies from Northern Illinois University, where he also served as a Graduate Assistant. A great musician in all styles from jazz to motown, soul to rock, Austin kept an active schedule with a private studio and many gigs around the St. Louis area. Austin has a great ear for nuance and helps walk-in customers to Saxquest looking for the perfect mouthpiece or saxophone for them. Austin is currently on hiatus from Saxquest, pursuing his Doctorate degree at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Michael Neu

Mike Neu has been with Saxquest since 2019, and has been weaving in and out of the st louis music scene since 2010. Starting with the classic Robbie's House of Jazz jam sessions, he took up lessons with Paul DeMarinis, then moved to Columbia for a bachelor's degree. He graduated from Mizzou in 2016 with a BA in Performance with a Jazz Studies Minor. While at MU Mike studied under Leo Saguiguit and Arthur White as his saxophone professors and mentors. He performed in a wide range of ensembles, large and small, since moving back to Saint Louis, mainly performing with Hazard To Ya Booty and visiting the late night open jams to stay active in the scene. Mike draws his influences from his favorite artists and bands such as Josh Redman, Wayne Shorter, Weather Report, HeadHunters, Jimi Hendrix, and Black Sabbath. The list expands as time goes on, because he keeps his ears open and actively pulls in unfamiliar music from all over the globe.

Jacob Johnson

Jacob Johnson has been at Saxquest for a long time, but if you don't come on a Saturday, you may miss him! His "day job" is as an elementary music teacher in the Pattonville School District, where he manages a classroom of 650+ children each week. Jacob is a dedicated jazz and pit orchestra musician in the vibrant St. Louis music scene. As an accomplished multi- woodwind instrumentalist, he can often be heard around town on a variety of gigs. His experience as a musician in this city provides him with a wealth of insights into various musical styles. You can often spot Jacob in the crowd, eager to share his knowledge about anything from saxophones to flutes, clarinets, oboes, and even bassoons. Let him guide you in finding your next favorite horn!

Ed Buckeridge

Ed Buckeridge came to Saxquest in 2021, having been a former customer. Once a student of our esteemed clarinet repair tech, Audrey Denny, Ed is part of our "Saturday crew," dedicating his weekends and energy to helping you find the perfect instrument. His musical journey has expanded to include the alto sax, which he now proudly calls his main instrument. For those who prefer a more reserved and methodical approach to shopping, Ed is your go-to guide. Feel free to schedule an appointment and request Ed to ensure a tailored and focused shopping experience. On his off days, Ed Buckeridge is a YouTube content creator and a formidable contender in the world of fighting video games. He also finds solace in the pages of a well-drawn graphic novel.

Tanner Caldwell

Meet Tanner Jay Caldwell, a seasoned saxophonist with an impressive 14-year musical journey. Having embarked on his saxophone quest in the sixth grade, Tanner has since become the consummate performer and a mainstay of the St. Louis music scene, playing over 150 shows annually. He performs in bands such as The Red Jackets, The Buttery Biscuit Band, Okay Two Things, and Neon Garden, to all of which he brings the energy and fun (and the auxiliary percussion!). Beyond performing, Tanner is responsible at Saxquest for helping customers play-test horns, and handles much of our social media posts.

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