Biography
Brian Rodesch currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Simpson College where he directs the jazz ensemble, oversees the saxophone studio, and teaches courses in music education. As a performer, he is an active as a soloist, chamber musician, and improviser. As a founding member of the Headwaters Saxophone Quartet and the Nexus Duo he is committed to creating and performing new works for saxophone. As a jazz musician, he performs regularly with the Des Moines Big Band and has appeared alongside jazz luminaries including Phil Woods, Dick Oatts, Nnenna Freelon, Dave Pietro, and Michael Philip Mossman.
Rodesch is a Conn-Selmer and Dahlke Mouthpiece performing artist. He performs exclusively on Selmer Paris saxophones and the Virtuoso Series RS alto saxophone mouthpiece.
Expertise
- Saxophone performance
- Chamber music
- Jazz Pedagogy & Improvisation
- Jazz History
Credentials
- D.A. in Saxophone Performance & Jazz Pedagogy, University of Northern Colorado, 2016
- M.M. in Saxophone Performance, East Carolina University, 2009
- B.M. in Education, University of Minnesota, 2005
Publications
- “Developing a Rhythmic Vocabulary: Exercises derived from the West African influence on Jazz,” D.A. Dissertation, University of Northern Colorado, 2016.