Sam Skelton

Kennesaw State University
Director Of Jazz Studies
Senior Lecturer: Applied Saxophone
Director: GSO Jazz & GYSO Jazz

Bio:

A native of Conyers, Georgia, Sam Skelton has been active on the Atlanta music scene for well over three decades. Mr. Skelton graduated summa cum laude from Georgia State University with a degree in Jazz Studies. During his course of study at GSU, Sam was a Montgomery Music Scholar and a two-time fellowship recipient to the Aspen Music Festival. He continued his saxophone studies with Kenneth Radnofsky at Boston University in 1991 focusing on classical saxophone and music education. Other teachers include David and James "Dub" Hudson and Jeff Benedict.

As a woodwind doubler, Skelton is well versed in any genre of music. His grasp of saxophone, clarinet and flute has enabled him to remain very busy in live performance as well as in the studio.

Sam has performed and/or soloed with The London Symphony Orchestra, The Atlanta Symphony, The Atlanta Pops, The Peachtree Pops, The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and The Georgia Symphony Orchestra as well as numerous local high school and civic ensembles. He has had the privilege of performing with Quincy Jones, Tom Scott, Hugh Jackman, Shirley Jones, Col. Bruce Hampton, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Hal Crook, Jim Pugh, Chris Vadala, Mel Torme, Joan Rivers, Bob Newhart, Kenny Rogers, Keiko Matsui, Brian Bromberg, Jeff Lorber, Francine Reed, David Pack, Buddy Greene, John Schneider, Michael Feinstein and Allen Vizzutti just to name a few. World Premiers include James Oliverio’s "Children of A Common Mother", Lee Johnson’s "Ora Pro Mi: Concerto for Winds Soloist" (clarinet, flute and soprano saxophone) and "Seaside Symphony" (clarinet and soprano saxophone soloist). Sam also played the premier recording of "Ora Pro Mi" and "Seaside Symphony" with the London Symphony Orchestra. New musical debuts include: The Prom, Harmony, Bull Durham, Tuck Everlasting, Becoming Nancy and Maybe Happy Ending

As a sideman on over 300 recordings, Sam remains very active in the studio and can be heard on recordings by such artists as: Elton John, December Radio, Jennifer Holliday, Babbie Mason, Howard Tate, Matchbox 20, Train, Edwin McCain, The Gap Band and The Ohio Players. Television and radio jingles include The Georgia Lottery, The Fox Theater Documentary, Glen Beck, The Weather Channel, The Travel Channel, Ford, The Cartoon Network, CNN, Nature’s Own, Popeye’s, Papa John’s and Turner South. Television appearances include In the Heat of the Night, Savannah and Sinbad’s Summer Jam II on HBO. GRAMMY nods include Howard Tate's "Rediscovered" for Best Contemporary Blues Album and Ted Howe's "Pinnacle" for Best Instrumental Solo (alto clarinet, yes, alto clarinet)

Sam is currently Director of Jazz Studies and Senior Lecturer in Saxophone at Kennesaw State University. He is also Artistic Director of GSO Jazz and GYSO Jazz. Sam served as Professor of Saxophone at Georgia State University from 1991 to 2004 and was Jazz Ensemble Director at Georgia Tech from 2002-2004 and Artist-in-Residence at The University of Georgia Jazz Department. He served as Visiting Professor of Saxophone at Furman University 2001-02. Professional associations include: The Jazz Educators Network, Georgia Music Educators Association, Georgia Association of Jazz Educators, National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (voting member) and the American Federation of Musicians. For his contributions to the city’s cultural life, Atlanta Public Broadcasting named him a “Lexus Leader in the Arts” in 2003. Sam is proud to be a Conn-Selmer and D’Addario Artist.

Discography

Sam Skelton: Christmas Sax
Sam Skelton Quintet: Live In The Studio
Elton John: Goin' Home, A Tribute to Fats Domino
Matchbox 20: Mad Season
Edwin McCain: Messenger
Train: For Me, It's You
The Ohio Players: Ol' School
The Gap Band: Live and Well
Howard Tate: Rediscovered
Babbie Mason: Timeless
Babbie Mason: No Better Place
Francine Reed: I Got a Right!...To Some of My Best
Decemberadio: Satisfied
Decemberadio: Decemberadio

Jennifer Holliday: Goodness and Mercy

Trey Wright: Songs From Oak Avenue

Trey Wright: Begin Again
Randy Hoexter: Radiant

Randy Hoexter Group: Fromage
Lee Johnson/London Symphony: Seaside Symphony/Ora Pro Mi
Lee Johnson: Sand Floor Cathedral
Lee Johnson: The Colors Of A Soul/Seasons
Tyrone Jackson: Another Voyage

Tyrone Jackson: From the Mind Of
Gordon Vernick: The Strangest Thing

Gordon Vernick: Destination
J Mood: A Midnight Clear

J Mood: No Small Thing

Madoca: Illusion of Love

James Patrick Morgan: James Patrick Morgan

Geoff McBride: Journey to the Soul

Brian Hudson: Next Level

Shirley Erena Murray: Life is Changed, Not Ended

John Angotti: Testify

EC3/Niki Haris: Time and Rhyme

EC3/Sol: Upfront

EC3/MiChelle: Love Dance

EC3/Kymberli: I’ve Been Here All the Time
Adam Nitti: Evidence
Adam Nitti: Balance
Adam Nitti: Liquid Blue

Rhythm Jets: Velocity

Rhythm Jets: A Rhythm Jets Christmas
Pete Droge: Find a Door 
Joe Gransden: I'll Be Home for Christmas

Joe Gransden: It’s a Beautiful Thing, Live at Café 290

Joe Gransden: Go Getta

Joe Gransden: The Christmas Song

Tempest Little Big Band: Round Midnight
Mind & Soul: Life 
Trammell Starks: The Music of Norah Jones
Lee Venters: Vermillion Sands
Lisa McClendon: Soul Music
Aquarium Rescue Unit: The Calling
Various Artists: White Christmas
Various Artists Merry Little Christmas: Cocktail Carols
Various Artists: Simplicity Series Vol: 4,5,7,8,10 & 12
Various Artists: The Music of Peter Gabriel
Various Artists: Bass Talk, Vol. 6
Various Artists: Music of Las Vegas
Various Artists: Simplicity Praise, Vol. 4: Saxophone
Various Artists: Obsession: Music for Romance
Various Artists: Passion, Vol. 2
Various Artists: Simplicity: Christmas Saxophone
Various Artists: Romance & Roses, Vol. 2 (Box)
Evening Star Orchestra: Sting, The Ultimate Tribute
Voice of Atlanta: Are You Listening
Taliesin Orchestra: Thread of Time, The Music of Enya
Taliesin Orchestra: Rock Rhapsody
Mark Cook: Promise Highway
Mark Cook: Blue Voodoo
The JTG Implosion: All the People Some of the Time 
Bill Hart: Watch the Sky

Bill Hart: This is Why
Cooper Tisdale: Up from Down
Jon Nickell: Don't Say I Didn't Tell You
Billy Gewin: Hodges Shan't Be Shot
The Rat Pack: Rat Pack Christmas
Lounge Noir: Best of the Rat Pack
Jack Logan: Buzz Me In
The Tamesis Orchestra: This Christmas
Bob Messano: Dominion Roads
Tom Grose: Unannounced & Uninvited
American Film Orchestra: Lost World & Other Movie Hits
TM Mass Youth Choir: He's Been Good
Spectrum: Tribute to Sting
Spectrum: Sexual Healing
Spectrum: Music of Linda Ronstadt
Belloluna: Pleasant Music for Nice People
Grady Cousins: Test Market #1
Carol Albert: Tides of Change

Carol Albert: Fly Away, Butterfly
Mechanical Butterfly: Volume 2
Dick's Hat Band: Got The Whole Town Talkin'
Jake Hess: Leanin'
Rebecca Windham: To A Warmer Heart
North Highland Assy of God: Night of Joy
John Marsh: 13
Dan Random: Just As Real
Jez Graham: Restrooms Vol 1, 2 & 3
Kip Dockery: I Got Rhythm
Beverly: En La Esquina
Mark Brague: Overwhelm Me
Taj Artis: Take The Time
Paul Sforza: Lifelines
Craig Bromley: Dream Out Loud
Loving Mad: Life In The Fire
Several Dudes: Duderonomy
Don Discenza: Free
Sean Ramuno: Second Chance
Scooter Lee: High Test Love

Scooter Lee: I’m Gonna Love You Forever
Eric Bennett: Scratching The Surface
Huston Singletary: Wanderlust
Lance Palmer: Bring Back Your Glory
Charles Billingsley: Between The Now And Then
Church Of The Apostles: Apostles Praise Vol: 1,2 &3
Church Of The Apostles: Christmas Eve At Apostles
Andrew Fazackerley: The True Spirit Of Christmas
Marty Beech: Summer Wind
Tom Woods: Just In Time
Chateau Debris: Venus Has Seen Us
Anthony Papamichael: UnExpect It
Anthony Papamichael: Mass Appeal

Anthony Papamichael: Awaken
Shawn Cushen: Half A World Away
Henry Parilla: Widespread Hispanic
Stephanie Pritchett: Amazing Love, Amazing Grace
Legacy Of Faith: All That I Am
Mark Caughlin: Right Now
The Neons: Personality
Jeff Wood: Jeff Wood Project
Steve Cunningham: Dubious Tones
Steve Cunningham: Slide
Jack Turner: Island Man
Tony Winston: Mondo Swing
Joe Campisi: Premonition

Sam Skelton Plays
Selmer Paris
INSTRUMENT NAME/MODEL
Selmer Saxophone
Events
No events scheduled at this time.
Links / Favorite Places

http://arts.kennesaw.edu/music/academics/jazz.php

www.samskeltonmusic.com

www.atlantaprowinds.com

Contact Information

E-mail Address:

sskelton@kennesaw.edu