August, 2024  —  Jeff Kashiwa knew he was destined to be a musician following his junior introduction to woodwinds. He credits his father and the public school’s music program for inspiring his interest in music.

He became known as one of the most compelling and diverse young saxophonists in contemporary jazz during his first year with The Rippingtons. Throughout the 1990s, Kashiwa performed hundreds of shows all over the world and appeared on many of the band’s classic recordings.  

In 1999, Kashiwa’s instincts led him to venture out to concentrate on his own music with his band Coastal Access, and in 2004, Kashiwa founded The Sax Pack, a trio of saxophone headliners, featuring himself, Steve Cole and Kim Waters. The group released three CDs together and charmed audiences with their comical camaraderie on stage in tours across the U.S and abroad. 

In 2006, Jeff reunited with The Rippingtons for their 20th Anniversary Tour and continues to record and tour with the group, earning a Grammy nomination in 2009 for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

In addition to touring with The Sax Pack and his own group, Kashiwa has expanded his career to include the realm of music education, teaching various courses through the music program at shoreline community college in Seattle.

Jeff’s 2007 CD release is an on-point description of him as a musician and a person, Play.  He describes his approach “To be free. To engage in joyful activity.” 

His spirited 2012 CD Let It Ride features a who’s who of great musicians in the world of Contemporary Jazz; Russ Freeman, David Benoit, Chuck Loeb and Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra.  Kashiwa’s 11th solo recording titled Sunrise, released in 2021, features his long time band, Coastal Access as well as guest performances by Marc Antoine, Tom Schuman and Phillipe Saisse.

This year, Kashiwa released his latest project, Luminoso.  This collaboration with longtime friend, Jeff Volkman. Skillfully adapts the compositions of Brazilian composer, vocalists, guitarist, Joyce Moreno, for saxophones and flutes.

Jeff is in his 12th year as an Instrumental Ensemble and Music Technology instructor, and Department Chair at Shoreline Community in Seattle, WA. Kashiwa now has 13 CDs released under his own name, continues to record as a guest artist and tour.

Jeff Kashiwa returns to Middle C Jazz for another evening of his signature performance, Saturday September 14.

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