Soprano Saxophonist Michael Keepe is Instructor of Saxophone and Music Industry at Pima Community College in Tucson, and has performed in Canada, Mexico, Australia, and throughout the United States. He is an active member in local and national teachers associations and is Past President of the Tucson Music Teachers Association. Mike has served as clinician, adjudicator, and band director for the Tucson Unified School District and the Arizona Music Educators Association, and has been an independent instructor of saxophone for over 25 years. In addition to performing and touring with PSQ, Mike performs regularly with the The Rodriguez & Keepe Duo, Tucson Symphony, the Arizona Opera, and has performed and recorded as a soloist with the University of Arizona Wind Ensemble. In the commercial and jazz genres he has worked as a studio side man and has backed artists such as Michael Feinstein, Bernadette Peters, Steve Lippia and the Temptations. Mike is also owner of MLKEEPE Publications, a music publishing company dedicated to the creation, preservation and promotion of the finest saxophone repertoire.
Mr. Keepe received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education and Saxophone Performance at the University of Arizona. He is a Performing Artist and Clinician for the Selmer Company, and can be heard on the Albany, AUR, Coseismic and Nostalgie recording labels. Mike lives in Tucson, Arizona with his lovely wife, and two beautiful daughters. For more information visit mikekeepe.com.
Alto saxophonist Derek Granger is Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Band Director at Flowing Wells High School in Tucson, AZ. A native of Las Vegas, NV he began saxophone studies with Mark McArthur, a founding member of PSQ. He has since held principle positions in the Las Vegas Youth Orchestra and Youth Wind Orchestra, the Transylvania Symphonic Band at the Brevard Music Center, and the University of Arizona Wind Ensemble. His many awards include winner of the Tucson Symphony Young Artist Competition, winner the University of Arizona's Presidents Concerto Competition, and first place awards with the University of Arizona's Catalina Saxophone Quartet at the Music Teacher's National Conference Collegiate Chamber Music Competition. Mr. Granger has given performances in Canada, Mexico, France, China as well as the United States. He received his Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance from the University of Arizona and can be heard on the AUR recording label.
Tenor Saxophonist Kelland Thomas is Associate Professor of Saxophone at the University of Arizona and is active as a performing artist in both jazz and classical genres internationally. He has performed as a soloist and with orchestras throughout the U.S. and in Canada, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, China, Japan, and Mexico. In addition to performing with the Presidio Quartet, he has performed with the PRISM Quartet, Resounding Winds, and the Michigan Saxophone Quartet with Donald Sinta. As a jazz musician, he performs regularly with vintage jazz ensemble the Original Wildcat Jass Band and Sylvan Street, a Fusion Jazz band. He has also performed with such jazz greats as Jimmy Cobb, Rufus Reid, Jimmy Heath, Reggie Workman, and Diane Schuur. Kelland Thomas holds the degree of Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan. For more information visit kellandthomas.com.
Baritone Saxophonist Ryan McCormick has performed throughout the United States and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician. He has a devoted interest in new saxophone works and has premiered pieces by both established and up and coming composers. In addition to performing with the Presidio Saxophone Quartet, Ryan has a thriving private instruction studio in Tucson, is an adjunct faculty member at Pima Community College, and is instructor of Saxophone at the Arizona Academy of Music and Dance. Mr. McCormick holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Saxophone Performance from the University of Arizona.
