Saxophonist Michael Hester has become one of the Southwest’s most valued musical resources. Primarily a classical player, he is as comfortable in improvisational settings with such groups as the Sonoran Consort and James DeMars’ TOS ensemble as playing in and as a soloist with wind bands and symphony orchestras. A highly respected Yamaha clinician, he travels the U.S. to do workshops with students at many levels. Currently he resides in Tucson, Arizona with his wife, Julia, a flutist and jr. high school band and orchestra teacher. Having served as interim saxophone professor at all three of Arizona’s state universities, Michael now works primarily as a freelance musician and teacher. 

Now 47, the Kalamazoo, Michigan native holds a doctorate from the University of Arizona, a masters from Arizona State University, and a bachelors from Indiana University. He is the author of Saxophone Master Classes and several articles. Michael Hester appears on numerous recordings including Open Rail with the Sonoran Consort, solo discs, Seasons and An American Patchwork, compilation recordings for Delta and AUR labels, a recording of music by Bizet on the ASV label with the Mexico City Philharmonic conducted by Enrique Batiz and two discs with James DeMars and R. Carlos Nakai, Spirit Horses and Native Tapestry. 

–Dan Buckley