Alastair has lived in the Russian River area of Northern California for over 38 years. Born in Dundee, Scotland, he came to this country in 1955 at the age of six. It was after serving, from 1967 to 1971, in the United States Air Force that he embarked on his musical career. Starting at Solano Junior College in Fairfield, Ca., Alastair studied with two professors who he still considers his mentors, John Kolarik and David Froehlich. After two years under their tutelage, he received his Associate in Arts degree there in 1973. After a year at San Francisco State University, studying privately with Danny Patiris, Bennet Friedman, Charlie McCarthy, and Jim Dukey, Alastair transferred to Cal State Hayward. At CSUH Alastair spent two years studying with classical Saxophone player William Trimble. After an additional year studying jazz with Jeff Neighbors, Hal Stein, Joe Henderson, and Marv Nelson, a series of masterclasses with William Trimble, and numerous recitals, he went on the road traveling with various show bands, Top 40 bands and even a 6-month stint with Circus Vargas. In 1986 Alastair returned to finish his degree and in 1988 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Cal State Hayward with a concentration in Saxophone Performance.

In Sonoma County, some of the bands Alastair has played with include The Russian River All-Stars, Bob Simmons New Exchange, The Dave Brady Octet, The Gray Cats, True Slack, Grand Slam, Metro, Gator Beat, Jim Boggio and the Fiascos and Jim Boggio and the Sonoma Swamp Dogs. He has played hundreds of casual gigs with various local musicians. Alastair’s main group, The Blue Moon Band is a ten-piece band that plays many styles, including swing, jazz standards, R & B, and top forty. Alastair plays tenor, soprano, and alto sax, also flute, clarinet, and piccolo. Alastair has taught at Stanroy Music Center for over thirty-three years. Contact Alastair for his rates and availability.

 

Alastair’s contact information:
707-228-9645
alastair@saxlessons.com
www.saxlessons.com