Dr. Rhett Bender, soprano, is a Professor of Music and Region 1 Director of the North American Saxophone Alliance. In summers he directs the Ashland Chamber Music Workshop. Bender frequently visits the Sichuan Conservatory in Chengdu, China as a guest artist. His book American Saxophone Quartet Music is available through Lambert publications. Rhett Bender is a Yamaha Performing Artist.
Gabi Richmond, alto, is a real estate consultant for Keller Williams® Realty Southern Oregon. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Master’s in Music History from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. As a saxophonist, Gabi has won several competitions, most recently a downbeat award as a member of the jazz orchestra at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. During her graduate studies in music, she travelled Europe and Asia to collect and present her findings in the field of popular music studies, with an emphasis in jazz and gender studies.
Dr. Vicki Purslow, tenor, is an Associate Professor of Music and published arranger of literature for saxophone and clarinet ensembles of all sizes and ability levels. Her arrangements, most of which are published by Watchdog Music Publishers, have enjoyed international debuts in the United States; Paris, France; and Shanghai, China.
Steve Davidson, baritone, has a Bachelor’s in Saxophone Performance from the University of Oregon and a Master’s in Saxophone Performance Pedagogy from Arizona State University. He has performed with jazz greats Peter Erskine, John Faddis, T.S. Monk, Mel Martin, and Frank Vignola. Davidson teaches Jazz Performance at Southern Oregon University and performs regularly with his band The Steve Davidson Group.