Ramsey Castaneda - Saxophonist
Teen Jazz Hosting
By Shannon Kennedy
Name: Ramsey Castaneda
Instrument: Saxophone
Years Playing: since the 6th grade
Why he began playing the saxophone:
I might have actually started playing because
my sister had played cello since I can remember,
but, in 6th grade I started playing tenor sax and
stuck with it (with the exceptions of playing Bari
in 7th grade, and taking up bass clarinet in 9th.) I knew I wanted to be a
saxophonist when I went to a jazz festival, and I saw a student from the high
school that I would be going to perform Delta City Blues. After that, the next
thing that really got me into jazz was Art Blakely album, Moanin'. Lee
Morgan's (one of my favorite trumpet players) intro to his solo was genius and
then the trade between Morgan's and Benny Golson's solo blew me away.
What he is doing with his music right now:
Currently I'm working on getting into the 40's and 50's style of jazz,
getting a greater harmonic sense of the music. I'm starting to transcribe
everything I can. I really love the sound of Bebop and and Hard bop. I'm
also starting to audition for everything I can, and I'm creating a website
to help get my name out there, www.ramZsax.net. Recently I have been
inspired by Alex Han, Lucas Pino, Adam Larson; who's site led me here to
Shannon's, whom I also have a great deal of admiration and respect for.
What he plans on doing with his music in the future:
In the future I want to do anything and everything that has to
do with music. Here is a short list of what I want to do. Music teacher,
college and private, jazz educator, touring with my own combo, music/jazz
history teacher, record producer and label owner.
