JMU faculty member David Pope presents a solo recital of music for saxophones, Native American flutes, various woodwinds from around the world, and electronics. Included in the program is the premiere of Howl, a collaborative work with JMU faculty composer Eric Guinivan where digital “instruments” were created by recording Pope on tenor saxophone and manipulating those sounds into an accompaniment for improvisation. Pope will also present a new work for solo tenor saxophone dedicated to him by composer Ryan Galik.

David Pope is a celebrated concert and jazz saxophonist, composer and author. DownBeat magazine named him its “Outstanding Collegiate Jazz Instrumentalist” in 1994. Since then, he has performed and given classes around the world, including Russia, Germany, Scotland, Switzerland, and Bangkok, Thailand. He was named Distinguished Teacher of the College of Visual and Performing Arts in 2012.

Widely recognized for his mastery of multiphonics, Pope can be heard on Open Loop Records, Albany Records, Dazzle Recordings, and with Barry Long’s Freedom in the Air. He published over 100 articles in Saxophone Journal and Saxophone Today, and served on the jury of the prestigious $100,000 M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition.

Known for eclectic programming, he effortlessly shifts from classical and jazz to Bowie and beyond. He has a popular YouTube channel, and blogs as “Practice Monster.” Pope endorses R.S. Berkeley “Virtuoso” saxophones.