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Bennett Wood, saxophone
Bennett Wood is a freelance saxophonist and composer. His 2024 debut album Space in Time was heralded as "perfectly modern and well-felt post bop. Harmonically rich and propelled by a beautiful swing, the compositions, with always very melodic themes (in the great tradition), hit the mark" by CultureJazz (France).
In addition to leading his own group, Wood has performed alongside internationally acclaimed musicians including Jeff Campbell, Chris Cheek, Montez Coleman, Alan Ferber, Andre Hayward, Doug Lawrence, Butch Miles, Bruce Saunders, and Reggie Thomas. He is the saxophonist with the Bob DeBoo Quartet, which includes Adam Maness and Kaleb Kirby (Open Studio) and is the lead tenor saxophonist with the Jazz St. Louis Big Band directed by Victor Goines.
Wood was appointed Director of Jazz Studies at Webster University in 2023. Previous professional teaching appointments include the University of Memphis, Texas State University, Texas Lutheran University and Texas A&M-Kingsville. He has worked as a clinician/adjudicator for Essentially Ellington, Birch Creek Music Camp, and many others.
He earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. He holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.