Ken Nigro plays Yamaha flutes, saxophones, wind controller and electric basses. He is known throughout New England as a first call saxophonist, woodwind doubler and soloist in both the classical and jazz/pop idioms. Ken is very active performing, adjudicating and presenting clinics throughout the Northeast.
"I've never been disappointed with my Yamaha instruments. I haven't played an alto or soprano sax that I was totally satisfied with until I started playing my Yamaha Customs. My flute and piccolo are incredible. I also love the way that the beginner Yamaha instruments play. There is no better way for a young player to start off."
Biography:
Ken Nigro has taught saxophone, woodwinds, ensemble and improvisation at the college level since 1981. He was at the University of Connecticut for 17 years and at Central Connecticut State University prior to that. For the past few years, he's been teaching closer to home at Naugatuck Valley Community College in Connecticut and spends more time playing, composing and arranging. He also teaches music technology for the Waterbury Public Schools. Ken has written the text "The Complete Saxophone." He performs with symphonies and ensembles; plays shows such as Beatlemania and Chicago; and backs artists such as Aretha Franklin, John Pizzarelli, the Temptations, Manhattan Transfer and Doc Severinson. The Ken Nigro Band is a nonet featuring music from Supersax, original compositions and unique arrangements of jazz styles from the '50s up through the present. Performance highlights include venues such as the Newport Jazz Festival, Friehoffer's Jazz Festival and the White Nights Jazz Festival in Russia. He is featured as a soloist on the New Millennium Jazz Ensemble's CD which also features Harvie Swartz and Bill Mays.
