Steven Salcedo (Saxophone)
Saxophonist Steven Salcedo is a Westchester-native and an alum of Lagond Music School (Class of 2006). As a member of LMS’ first all-star band, The Element, he had the opportunity to go on three summer tours across California, Quebec & Ontario, and the Mid-West United States, as well as play many of NYC’s legendary music venues – The Bitter End, CBGB’s, the Knitting Factory, to name a few.
Salcedo later went on to complete a BMus (2010) in Jazz Performance at McGill University (Montreal, Canada). While studying at McGill, he worked his way up into the university’s two top jazz-ensembles, playing baritone saxophone for the Chamber Jazz Ensemble, and first-tenor in the prestigious Jazz 1 Big Band. In 2009, Salcedo and a few of his classmates formed the band, Atomic 5, and would go on to win the 2010 Jazz En Rafale competition. This gave them the opportunity to record their self-titled album, released on Effendi Records (2011). The band was also invited twice to play the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal (2009 & 2011). The 2011 performance was particularly special for Salcedo, who invited his musical-mentor, Charlie Lagond, up to play with the band for a guest-appearance during the set.
After five years in Canada, Salcedo moved back to New York City, where he immersed himself in the music-scene of the Lower-East-Side; playing monthly residencies with fellow faculty members Greg Mayo, Chris Anderson and Paul Maddison in the Greg Mayo Band at Rockwood Music Hall. He joined the Lagond Faculty in the summer of 2011, and currently teaches private lessons, band workshops and the College Prep Program (both summer and school-year).
Steven can currently be seen with the funk/soul band Gedeon Luke & The People. The band tours regularly throughout the United States. In 2014, was featured on BBC’s Later with Jools where they shared the bill with bands such as tUnE-yArDs, Years & Years, Counting Crows, and the legendary Robert Plant. Their music has been featured on ESPN’s Firsst Take, and will be in Creed – the latest installment of the Rocky Franchise (out this Thanksgiving).
Throughout his musical-life, Salcedo has had the privilege of studying with Ed Xiques, Charlie Lagond, Jon Irabagon, Remi Bolduc, Chet Doxas, Phil Dwyer, Seamus Blake, Joe Sullivan, Kevin Dean, to name a few from a list of many incredible musicians and mentors.Steven Salcedo endorses SeaWind Saxophones (Vancouver Island, B.C.). Photo by Manish Gosalia
