After a life of travel and discovery on three continents, Grammy nominated saxophonist Tim Armacost brings his unique life experience to improvised music that is as adventurous as it is soulful. Armacost has established himself as one of the most distinct saxophone voices on the New York scene today.
Armacost’s music is known for its balance of lyrical invention, harmonic sophistication and exciting interplay among top-tier band mates. His improvisations are brimming with ideas, but organized into a naturally flowing narrative. His unusual life story, which includes extended residencies in Japan, India, the Philippines, Holland and New York, informs his wide-ranging musical explorations.
Touring regularly around the world both as a sideman and a leader, Armacost has worked with a phenomenal number of jazz greats, including Al Foster, Jimmy Cobb, Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Billy Hart, Victor Lewis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Peter Erskine, Ray Drummond, Roy Hargrove, Don Friedman and Randy Brecker.
Armacost is not only known for his heat-of-the-moment playing. He also brings his storytelling skill to compositions for groups ranging from trios to big bands. He is a recipient of the prestigious Doris Duke/CMA “New Works” award. Four of his compositions were arranged by Michael Abene and Jim McNeely and recorded by Holland’s acclaimed Metropole Orchestra. Wynton Marsalis commissioned Armacost’s original composition and arrangement, “The Repose in All Things,” which is featured on the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s recording, Jazz and Art II.
Armacost has recorded 16 critically acclaimed albums as a leader, performed on more than 60 as a sideman, and has recorded over 100 original songs and arrangements. Armacost is a widely respected educator. He is a faculty member at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, and has been a guest conductor and soloist at the Juilliard School, Temple University, Indiana University Bloomington, UNC, NC State, and countless others. He was a regular faculty member the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop.
Armacost co-leads the New York Standards Quartet, the Brooklyn Big Band and In Trio, and is currently celebrating new music for two projects: a chord-less quintet featuring Tom Harrell, Gary Smulyan, John Patitucci and Al Foster, and a tenor and vibes frontline quintet with Joe Locke, Jim Ridl, Kenny Davis and Rudy Royston. Armacost is a D’Addario Recording Artist, playing D’Addario reeds exclusively.
