John Nastos - ProfilesArchive

About Me

John Nastos was born in Portland, Oregon where he lived and went to school for eighteen years. While at Grant High School, he studied with local jazz luminaries Warren Rand, Gary Harris, and Thara Memory, among others.
During his senior year of high school, John enrolled as a part time student at Portland State University where he took classes under the direction of bandleader/arranger Charles Gray, drummer/composer Alan Jones, and woodwind-virtuoso/bandleader Rob Scheps. Also during that year, John frequently sat in with legendary Portland drummer Mel Brown and his septet at Jimmy Mak's on Tuesday nights. This provided an incredible opportunity for learning and growth while playing live music next to some of Portland's greatest jazz musicians. By the end of the year, John was subbing for Warren Rand on occasional evenings.
Besides the Mel Brown Septet, John has shared the stage with or recorded alongside the following Portland jazz musicians: Gordon Lee's Big Band, Rob Scheps, Tim Jensen, Gary Harris, Derek Sims, Kevin Deitz, Jeff Homan, Ezra Weiss, Dan Schulte, Drew Shoals, and more.
Currently, John is in New York City pursuing a bachelors degree in jazz performance at the Manhattan School of Music. There, he studies with Bob Mintzer, Dick Oatts, and Michael Abene.
Instruments: alto, tenor, soprano saxes; clarinet; flute; EWI

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/29/2006
Band Website: johnnastos.com
Band Members: The Electric Quartet (E4):
John Nastos - saxophones, EWI, electronics
Clay Giberson - keyboards
Damian Erskine - electric bass
Drew Shoals - drums

The John Nastos Acoustic Band:
John Nastos - saxophones
Drew Shoals, Randy Rolofson or Mitch Wilson - drums
Chris Mosley, Dan Duval or Ryan Dolliver - guitar
Eric Gruber - acoustic bass

Influences: Joshua Redman, John Ellis, Bob Mintzer, Michael Brecker, Bill Frisell, Bela Fleck, Dick Oatts, Warren Rand, Renato Carranto, Alan Jones, etc.
Type of Label: None

My Blog

JazzPDX.org

I've recently started a new project called JazzPDX.org - a new website geared towards jazz in Portland and the surrounding areas. The site aims to bring easily-accessible and accurate information abo...
Posted by John Nastos on Sun, 01 Jul 2007 11:36:00 PST

In Portland during March

I'll be back in Portland from March 2-18th.Gigs: March 6th - Subbing for Renato Caranto in the Mel Brown Septet at Jimmy Mak's March 15th - My acoustic band at the Red and Black, featuring...
Posted by John Nastos on Fri, 02 Feb 2007 10:30:00 PST

YouTube Videos - Saxophone players

Especially good modern saxophone stuff:Brecker - Solo NaimaJoshua Redman - Birthday SongKenny Garrett w/Miles - Human NatureBrecker - Delta City BluesMaceo - There Was a Time...
Posted by John Nastos on Fri, 02 Feb 2007 10:27:00 PST

Listening to...

Recent listening:I've been trying to listen to as much Brecker as I can get my hands on. It was huge loss to the musical world when he passed away.Michael Brecker (mainly from these recordings:)...
Posted by John Nastos on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 10:24:00 PST

New Website!

Every year or so, I change up the look of my website and add some new content.This time, I've changed the look, added an E4 page, and added some sound clips that have never been heard before. Ke...
Posted by John Nastos on Sat, 06 Jan 2007 01:02:00 PST

Thank You!

Thank you to all those that came out to see E4's show at Jimmy Mak's on December 29th.It was fun - especially to play for a sold out crowd!Look for audio clips from the show posted in the coming days/...
Posted by John Nastos on Sat, 30 Dec 2006 03:10:00 PST

Jimmy Mak's

See what Jimmy Mak's has to say about E4 here:http://www.jimmymaks.com/news.html
Posted by John Nastos on Fri, 08 Dec 2006 09:48:00 PST

Winter 06/07 Gigs

So far:December 19th - Flying back from New York just in time to sub for Warren Rand at Jimmy Mak's in the Mel Brown Septet.Decmeber 29th - E4 at Jimmy Mak's! John Nastos, Clay Giberson, Drew Sh...
Posted by John Nastos on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 10:21:00 PST

Upcoming events, new pictures

From August 6th-12th I'll be in Monmouth, Oregon working at the Mel Brown Jazz Workshop. When I return, I'll have a chance to sub for tenor-giant Renato Caranto in the Mel Brown B3 Organ Quartet...
Posted by John Nastos on Wed, 02 Aug 2006 12:46:00 PST

Subbing for Renato Caranto

On Tuesday, August 1st, I'll be subbing for Renato Caranto at Jimmy Mak's. This will be my first chance to play tenor with the band, since usually I'm subbing for Warren Rand on alto.Come check it ou...
Posted by John Nastos on Thu, 27 Jul 2006 03:30:00 PST