We are all very excited here at Saxquest about the March Local Saxophonist Showcase. Many of us that work here have studied saxophone and doubles with Mike Karpowicz. He is often so busy playing doubling gigs at the Muny and the Fox, that many haven’t had the chance to hear him in a quartet setting playing Jazz. You defintely won’t want to miss this month if you haven’t had a chance to hear Mike play yet. This event is free and open to the public, and will be at the main Saxquest location on Saturday, March 18, from 2pm – 4pm.
Mike Karpowicz is Director of Bands at DeSmet Jesuit High School where he established the school’s first instrumental music program. He teaches Concert Band and four jazz ensembles. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Webster University where he has taught Applied Saxophone, Saxophone Ensemble, Woodwind Methods and Jazz Combo.
He has been active in St. Louis as a free-lance saxophonist/woodwind doubler. He is one of the top call show players in St. Louis. He recently performed with the national touring company of An American in Paris at the Fox Theater. His next performance at the Fox will be with the touring show Motown. This past fall he performed with the St. Louis Repertory Theatre Company’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. He is also an extra at the MUNY performing with one or two productions each summer. Over the years he has performed with every major big band in the St. Louis area as well as the St. Louis Symphony and Symphony Pops. He has also performed with major stage performers recently including Johnny Mathis, Aretha Franklin, Kristin Chenoweth, Idina Menzel and Bernadette Peters.
He has performed with jazz legends Michel LeGrand, Mel Torme, Clark Terry, Louie Bellson and Bobby Shew.
As a performer and educator Mike has been involved with the Webster University Summer Jazz Camp and the International Summer Jazz Academy in Krakow, Poland. He is a proud member of St. Louis Local 2-197 of the American Federation of Musicians.
Upcoming local arists:
April 29 – Ben Reece
May 20 – Hugh Jones
June TBA – Jeff Collins & the Renegade Saxophone Quartet
July TBA – Kendrick Smith