Dubbed a “saxophone steamroller”, this colorful saxophone quintet based in Nashville, TN, features Chris West, Adrian Barnett, Nathan McLeod, Kevin Gatzke and Max Dvorin. The ensemble specializes in original compositions and arrangements, which include various styles, sound experiments, alternative playing techniques, as well as “on the fly arrangements” with interesting group improv moments.  Founded in early 2022, QuinteSax has played several Nashville shows, as well as producing a live stream every other Wednesday.  They’re currently working on a tour of a few colleges and universities in the eastern US in early February of 2024. Read more about each member below!

 

Chris West, an accomplished saxophonist and woodwindist, has been working as a freelance musician, arranger, producer, and internationally touring musician for over 20 years. He holds a BA in Commercial Music Performance and Composition from Belmont University and a MM in Jazz Studies from Middle Tennessee State University. His award-winning compositions and arrangements have been placed in commercials and TV shows, and has arranged, recorded, performed, and toured with an extensive list of artists.

 

Adrian Barnett is an award-winning baritone saxophonist and woodwind specialist who has performed all across the nation at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Lollapalooza. He has a B.S. in Music Education, a B.M. in Music Performance, M.M. in Saxophone and Woodwind Performance, and a D.M.A. in Jazz Studies. He has shared the stage with many notable musicians and continues to be active in both performance and education.

 

Nathan McLeod is a Nashville-based saxophonist whose performance credits include: Martina McBride, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The O’Jays, Jamey Johnson, and many others. He holds a B.A. in music composition as well as a M.A. in jazz and commercial music.  As an accomplished woodwind multi-instrumentalist, Nathan has performed in the pit orchestra for multiple touring broadway musicals.  Nathan is also a recording artist appearing on numerous recordings including 2019’s “Big Band of Brothers: A Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band”.  When home from being on the road with various projects, Nathan writes and records original music, repairs woodwind instruments and even designs and builds his own custom microphones and audio equipment.

 

Kevin Gatzke holds a M.M. in Commercial Music from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee where he studied under Dr. Alex Graham as well as a B.A. in Jazz Studies from the University of Illinois under the guidance Chip McNeil. He is a permanent member of the Nashville based jazz/funk/R&B band Dynamo. Kevin has played with many notable artists such as Daniel Gokey, Anderson East, performing on some of America’s most legendary radio and TV programs, including KEXP in Seattle, World Café Live, and the Late Show with Seth Meyers. Fluent in a wide range of musical styles, his horn arrangements can also be heard in the music of Dynamo, Kylie Rothfield, and Clutch.

 

Max Dvorin is a woodwind doubler who resides in Nashville, TN. His father, a woodwind doubler and jazz musician, introduced Max to music at an early age. Max holds a B.M. in commercial saxophone from Belmont University, and is currently working on his D.M.A. Max is currently a full-time freelance musician and private music instructor in Nashville, TN, teaching saxophone, clarinet and flute.  He has a home studio where he records saxophones, clarinets, and flutes. Max is a frequent performer with big band, musical theater, weddings, jazz festivals, and religious services. Max currently co-leads a monthly big band and monthly funk ensemble with some of the finest musicians in Nashville.