Russ Becker
Saxophone, Clarinet, New Horizons Band
A prominent instrumentalist, composer and teacher, Russ has been an active musician on the Connecticut music scene for many years. He has been teaching clarinet and saxophone to students at the Community Music School for four years.
Russ has been a member of the Stamford Symphony, the Hartford Civic Orchestra, Radio Piece 3(progressive jazz/rock), Collectively Speaking (jazz), The Bob Hughes Big Band, The Art Cellar Sax Quartet, as well as countless other ensembles covering a broad spectrum of musical genres. He currently performs regularly as clarinetist with The Village Trio (chamber music), as saxophonist with the eclectic blues group Bop Tweed, The Russ Becker/ Stephen Roane Duo and as leader of the Russ Becker Quartet.
He has released several albums of his own and has recorded often as a sideman and studio musician. A prolific composer, Russ’ music has been featured on WNET, local and regional television and radio, and has been commissioned by theater companies, churches, singers and instrumentalists.
Although a busy musician, Russ considers teaching his most important and rewarding musical endeavor, and loves working with students of all ages and skill levels. Many of his students have gone on to become fine college musicians and teachers. His middle school and high school students are always well represented in area regional and all-state ensembles. He believes in a warm, friendly, personalized and encouraging approach to teaching, and incorporates many aspects of the art of making and understanding music into his instrumental lessons.
