Johan Eriksson: Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute
(Swedish saxophonist residing in the United States)
Johan was born in Goteborg, Sweden, where he started playing the saxophone at age nine. While in Sweden, he attended an arts Gymnasium program and was fortunate to study with saxophonists such as: Tommy Wiklund, Magnus Nilsson and the late Lars-Gunnar Pettersson. Johan have spent the last ten years in the U.S completing his bachelor's degrees in Jazz Performance and Classical Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During his undergraduate studies, he taught undergraduate jazz combos at the University, as well as obtaining a research scholarship. While at Greensboro, his primary instructors were Craig Whittaker, Steven Stusek and Steve Haines and John Locke. Johan also performed with Chris Potter, Joe Henson, Brice Winston, Robbie Smith, Fred Wesley, Steve Haines, and the North Carolina Symphony. Johan was featured as a soloist in the Washington DC- Kennedy Center with the UNC-Greensboro Symphony Orchestra.
After completing his bachelor's degrees, Johan moved to Dekalb, Illinois to pursue his master's degree in Jazz Pedagogy from Northern Illinois University. During his master's degree, he studied with Steve Duke, Ron Carter and Joey Sellers. His saxophone quartet was also coached by members of the Vermeer Quartet. Johan worked as a Saxophone Teaching Assistant under Steve Duke. While living in the Chicagoland area, he enjoyed playing with a diverse group of musicians such as Rufus Reid, Hamiett Bluett, Marlene Rosenberg, Fareed Hague, Joey Sellers, Doug Stone, Greg Ward, Dan Nimmer, Steve Turre, "Blue" Lou Marini, the Roosevelt University Wind Ensemble, Bandarika Salsa Band, the Illinois Symphony, the Chicago Chamber Singers, the Northern Illinois Jazz Ensemble I and many others.
After completing his master's degree, Johan spent three years as a
free-lance musician in Chicago while working as a band director in the
Dekalb school district. Many of his private and high school students
obtained scholarships to prestigious music universities and
conservatories around the country.
Johan is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Saxophone Pedagogy/Performance with a secondary emphasis in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado. His primary instructor is Dr. Andrew Dahlke. Besides an active performance schedule, he is working as a Jazz Studies Graduate Assistant. Since moving to Colorado in August of 2007, Johan has played with great musicians such as Brad Goode, Tom Meyer, Art Bouton, Peter Sommer, John Davis, Jim White, Erik Applegate, Dana Landry, Tyler Gilmore, Wil Swindler, Paul Romaine, the 9th and Lincoln Orchestra, UNC LAB I and the Colorado Jazz Orchestra. He was recently a finalist in the prestigious Southard Competition (March 2008) and performed with the Greeley Philharmonic under the supervision of John Corigliano and Glen Cortese. Johan also recently performed at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biannual Saxophone Conference held in Colombia, SC.
For recent and future performances, visit the "Calendar" tab on this website.
Bachelors of Music in Classical Performance, University of
North
Carolina at Greensboro
Bachelors of Music in Jazz Performance, University of North Carolina at
Greensboro
Masters in Jazz Pedagogy, Northern Illinois University
Doctoral Degree
in Saxophone
Pedagogy, University of Northern Colorado (2010)
