Dennis Winslett

Dennis Winslett began his study of the saxophone at the age of 9, in the historic jazz town of Kansas City. His full intense sound and high energy style of improvisation quickly earned him a reputation as a exciting young player to watch on the kansas City Jazz circuit. Winslett spent time sharpening his classical saxophone, clarinet and flute skills at The University of Kansas City Missouri Conservatory before leaving to perform with many Jazz notables including the John Pizzarelli Malachi Thompson’s Africa Brass, Bob Brookmeyer, the 911 Mambo Orchestra and Orbert Davis. While touring abroad Winslett became concerned at the lack of music education opportunities for young people. This prompted him to move to Chicago and earn a degree in K-12 music education at, Vandercook College of Music. While in Chicago he was soon discovered by legendary saxophonist and AACM co-founder, Fred Anderson, which then led to his long standing Sunday night engagement at Anderson's Velvet Lounge. He shows extreme musical diversity from performing with AACM giants Fred Anderson and Jim Baker to recording with Ramsey Lewis's, Urban Knights, contemporary jazz group. Winslett has performed on over 40 recordings including seven solo projects. On his latest solo recording, Soul Journey, Winslett steps outside of his traditional Kansas City be-bop roots and takes us on a soul journey to his own musical voice combining smooth melodies over rich rhythmical palettes. Winslett is currently working on a new solo project entitled, Organic Organism, which fuses rich jazz harmonies and improvisation with contemporary gospel and R & B rhythms. Aside from his music career Winslett has remained active in music education throughout the Chicago community. A dedicated jazz historian and clinician Winslett has taught Jazz history and served as anartist in residence at the Chicago Jazz Institute. He has also been an accomplished non-profit art administrator holding positions as director of The Urban Gateways Musical Instrument Bank which works to provide recycle used instruments and funding for music lessons to underserved school students. He has also been Director of Recruitment and Outreach of The Sherwood Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Program Director at The National Jazz museum in Chicago and currently holds the position of Education Specialist at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City.