Steeped in Pittsburgh’s rich jazz tradition, saxophonist and recording artist Don Aliquo is an active performer and jazz educator. As a recording artist he is involved in many projects including:
• Jazz Folk - His latest solo CD, (2006) featuring Rufus Reid, Dana Landry, Jim White and Clay Jenkins. The disc has received positive media attention and extensive national and international airplay
• Affinity Trio- A collaborative effort featuring Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck, Dave Matthews band) as special guest the disc features Don on clarinets and saxophones
• Trading Post (Artists Recording Collective - 2008)- featuring the Southern Excursion Quartet (pianist Michael Jefry Stevens, drummer Tom Giampietro, and bassist Jonathan Wires)
• Pittsburgh Reunion- featuring Roger Humphries, drums, Dwayne Dolphin, bass and David Budway, piano) Release winter of 2011
• 5th Solos Cd featuring Jim McNeely, Rufus Reid and Obed Calvaire was recently recorded in June 2010. Stay tuned for the release date!
Following in the footsteps of his father, a well-respected jazz artist himself, Don spent his formative years performing with many of the region’s greats including Joe Harris, Danny Conn Johnny Costa, David Budway, and Jeff Watts. His musical development continued at the Berklee College of Music, where he played in the International Dues Band directed by Phil Wilson. George Garzone, Joe Viola, Ed Tomasi and John La Porta were instrumental in his artistic growth at Berklee. Don’s early professional career included brief tours as lead alto with the Tommy Dorsey Band and as a baritone saxophonist with the legendary drummer Buddy Rich.
Additionally, he spent several years performing with ex- Horace Silver drummer, Roger Humphries while continuing his studies at Duquesne University where he studied with Dr. John Wilson.
In 1999, Don moved to the Nashville area to accept a faculty position at Middle Tennessee State University where he is currently Director of Jazz Studies. Don has performed in concerts and/or recordings with Gary Burton, Greg Osby, Rufus Reid, Pete Christlieb, Scott Robinson, Jeff Coffin and Marvin Stamm. Don is an in-demand clinician, presenting concerts and clinics throughout the United States. Aliquo is honored to represent Vandoren (reeds and mouthpieces) and P.Mauriat (saxophones) as an artist/clinician.
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