First Name

James

College/University:

Berklee College of Music

I am here for:

Gigs, Job Inquiries, Educational Purposes, Meet Players, Networking

Whom I want to meet:

All that are about the music 110%

Employment Status

Employed

Occupation:

Director of Jazz and the Director of the Richmond Jazz Academy

Employer:

Lee Davis High School

About Me:

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH FOR JAMES “SAXSMO” GATES

James “Saxsmo” Gates is one of Richmond’s premier musicians. As a saxophonist, Saxsmo has a flaming passion that is evident in every note played. Undeniable passion along with his bell-like tone quality ignites a fire that is sure to light the hearts and souls of all true jazz enthusiasts.

Saxsmo is a Richmond native and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1978. He attended Virginia State University and later transferred under a full scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee in 1984. Gates has traveled extensively in the United States and abroad performing with such notable artists as Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Walter Davis, Jr., Walter Bishop, Jr., The Temptations, Dianne Reeves, Jimmy Cobb, Hod O’Brien, Larry Willis, Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye and most recently, Guitarist Larry Carlton-presently with Bob James 4 Play and The Main Ingredients.

Saxsmo credits the forefathers and Masters of Jazz for his musical foundation and passes it along every chance he gets by serving as a teacher and instructor of jazz. He was the founder of Jazz Studies at The Governor’s School for Government and International Studies, Richmond, VA in 1993, and served as its Director until May 2001. Under his direction, the jazz band known as “The Jazz Messengers” participated in numerous festivals and won many awards. The festivals included: Toronto, Chantilly and Berklee College of Music. The Jazz Messengers also toured London, England in January 2000.

Gates also serves as Adjunct Professor at the University of Richmond teaching Woodwinds and Jazz Improvisation. Presently Gates is the Director for the Richmond Jazz Academy, Jazz Clinician/Instructor at Deep Run High School, Lee Davis High School, Varina High School, John Rolfe Middle School. He has also taught at J. Sargent Reynolds Community College as well as, private instruction and Jazz Improvisation.

Saxsmo has received many awards and accolades for his musicianship in the local newspapers and journals. In the community, Gates is a member of Saint Paul’s’ Baptist Church. He is a member of The Board of Directors for the Richmond Jazz Society, Maggie L. Walker Foundation and The Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, Petersburg, VA. Saxsmo is also Vice President of the newly formed Jazz Composers Alliance, Inc., an organization dedicated to providing a forum for composers showcasing their original works. Gates himself is also considered to be a prolific and inspiring composer and arranger. Have composed and arranged music for 125 piece String Jazz Concert for the State of VA! He performs much Nationally as well as locally playing many of his own original compositions and cunning arrangements in the various jazz venues of Richmond such as The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, The Second Street Festival, Dogwood Dell Jazz Series, fine restaurants, nightclubs and other events.

Musical Background & Experience:

This exciting and passion-filled musician is on the move and definitely has a message to spread through his expressive and explosive performances. Saxsmo released his first CD in August 1993 entitled “Yes I Can” and has release his newest CD “C’Mon Over To My House”which has been picked up by “Smooth Jazz”in Richmond, VA and in San Diego, CA. This CD is very special to him. He is greatly inspired as the words of his late mother “finish what you start and always keep moving forward” echoes in his heart and mind forever. This CD also includes many of his best friends who are considered to be top musicians in the Virginia area as well as abroad. The fun thing about this CD is that this is the first time all of these dynamic musicians have come together on any recording spreading good news around the world. Saxsmo’s Brand New Exciting Recording called “It’s Time” on the 804jazz Label featuring the great Fred Wesley has not only made the Smoothjazz.com Top 50 Indie Charts #45 and is steady moving towards the top 10 on the Smoothjazz.com Charts but was also Nominated for this year 2009 Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year # 43! I have two of the best producers around the world Hannon D. Lane and Bill McGee!

Website:

http://www.saxsmo.com

Why I love jazz:

It has helped me become the Man I am today!

Music:

Jazz, R & B, Pop, Fusion Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Classical, Country, Funk, Hip-Hop, All Music That Is Pleasant To My Ear Is Cool!

Books:

1. Maximize Your Edge navigating life's challenges
by Pastor Lance Watson
2. T. D. Jakes HE-MOTIONS Even Strong Men Struggle
3. T. D. Jakes Mama Made the Difference
Life Lessons My Mother Taught Me
4. The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Edited by Clayborne Carson
5. Strength to Love by Martin Luther King, Jr.
6. Love & Respect
The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately
Needs.
7. The Autobiography of Miles Davis

Television:

1. All Bill Cosby Shows

Movies:

1. Men Of Honor (Inspired By A true Story)
2. The Ten Commandments (Paramount Picture)
3. The Passion Of The Christ By Mel Gibson
4. Amistad By Steven Spielberg
5. Taps (Gregory Hines & sammy Davis, Jr.)
6. Celebrating Bird (The Triumph of Charlie Parker)
7. Round Midnight'
8. Silvester Stallone "Over The Top"
9. Silvester Stallone "Rambo" The Fight Continues
10. The Dirty Dozen
11. The Express "The Ernie Davis Story"
12. The Brian Piccolo Story
13. Eddie Murphy & Martin Lawrence "LIFE"
14. Denzel Washington Spike Lee Joint MALCOLM X
15. Denzel Washington "John Q."
16. Denzel Washington Gene Hackman "Crimson Tide"
17. Denzel Washington "Remember The TITANS"
18. The Jackie Robinson Story Starring Jackie Robinson
19. Denzel Washington "The Hurricane"
20. Denzel Washington Ethan Hawke "Training Day"
21. The Great Debaters "Denzel Washington Forest Whitaker
22. Invincibles "Inspired By The True Story" by Mark
Wahlberg
23. James Caan Kathy Bates "Misery"
24. "Conviction" The Incredible True Story Of Carl Upchurch
25. Jamie Foxx "Redemption"
26. Jamie Foxx "Ray"
27. Tome Hanks "Saving Private Ryan"
28. Four Brothers "Action, Emotion, Passion & A Great Story"
29. Samuel L. Jackson Bernie Mac "SOUL MEN"
30. ROOTS
31. Demi Moore "G.I. Jane"
32. Morgan Freeman "Driving Miss Daisy"
33. "Get On The Bus"
34. Morgan Freeman "Lean On Me"
35. Sean Connery Catherine Zeta-Jones "Entrapment"
36. Jet Li DMX "Cradle 2 The Grave"
37. Tome Cruise Cuba Gooding, Jr. "Jerry MaGuire"
38. Matrix Reloaded
39. The Congo