Saxophonist and music educator, Kendall Ramsey, is a seasoned musician who specializes in 21st century classical and jazz music. He is a member of the Resonance Saxophone Orchestra, Asheville Modern Big Band, Asheville Jazz Orchestra, and Vibe Saxophone Quartet. In these ensembles he has played alongside professors from major universities, performed at 2019 NASA Region 6 and the 2018 and 2019 Navy Saxophone Symposium, and placed in competitions for the 2018 state and regional rounds of MTNA.

Kendall actively pursues opportunities to collaborate with composers and performers of 21st century classical music. He has performed almost a dozen world premiere compositions as a soloist and member of the Resonance Saxophone Orchestra and Vibe Saxophone Quartet. Kendall’s passion is working on and cleaning his cars and motorcycles; this trait can be found in his music, being able to take apart and detail every phrase to the highest musical potential.  Ramsey has given the world premiere of several compositions commissioned by and dedicated to him including Michael Young’s Sinfonia for Three Saxophones and Wes Flinn’s Truly God’s Chosen Instrument.

In addition to saxophone, Ramsey is an exceptional woodwind doubler. He utilizes these skills to perform clarinet and flute in jazz ensembles and orchestra pits for musicals . His recent musical performances of reed books include Back to the 80’s: The Musical, Drowsy Chaperone, and Hairspray. When doubling for jazz, he specializes in tribute shows for big bands performing music from the 1920 to 1970. His most recent and favorite performance was the Don Ellis tribute concert, performing Bulgarian Bulge. 

As an educator, Ramsey has taught in middle and high schools in North Carolina as a woodwind specialist, as a camp counselor and staff member for Mars Hill Summer Music Camp, and currently teaches saxophone and music appreciation at the University of Southern Mississippi. Ramsey is a graduate of Mars Hill University where he studied under Dr. Alan Theisen finishing with a Bachelor degree in music education and saxophone performance. He is currently a graduate student at the University of Southern Mississippi under Dr. Lawrence Gwozdz and will graduate with a Master’s degree in May 2020. Kendall is a car enthusiast, he loves to work on his car and motorcycle for shows and races. His dream car is a 1991 BMW 325is and to swap a corvette engine into it for car shows.