Piano and Saxophone Instructor: Joseph Natale
Joe Natale (Saxophone, beginning piano) was born in Syracuse, NY and raised in Yorktown Heights. Joe developed an interest in music at an early age and started playing clarinet in elementary school band. He discovered the saxophone and his passion for jazz, and at 13, he enrolled at Lagond Music School in Elmsford, NY where he had the privilege to study with such luminaries as Charlie Lagond, Jon Irabagon and Kris Allen.
Joe has a undergraduate degree from The Hartt School of Music and a Masters degree from The State University of NY at Purchase. He has had the opportunity to study and play with accomplished musicians such as Ralph Lalama, Rene McLean, Abraham Burton, Jimmy Greene, Doug Munro, Richie Morales, Jon Faddis, Kris Allen, Todd Coolman, Andy LaVerne, John Abercrombie, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Christopher Casey and many more.
More about Joe:
College: The Hartt School and SUNY Purchase
Major: Jazz Studies
My Best Gig: Headlining the Hartford Latin Jazz Festival with renowned Singer/Guitarist/Composer Nino Segarra
Favorite Classical Piece: The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky
Favorite Rock Band: Coheed and Cambria
Favorite Jazz Artist: Charlie Parker
Favorite Singer: Ella Fitzgerald
First piece of music that had a profound effect on me:
Now's the Time by Charlie Parker. It was the first song where I heard someone improvise. I was blown away by the fact that someone was able to just make up music on the spot, and I wanted to try to do it too!
Music teacher who inspired me the most:
Charlie Lagond was the teacher that helped me cultivate my passion for music during middle school and high school. He is the one who instilled my love for performing. He also introduced me the jazz music and how to improvise. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for him.
Favorite quote about music:
“Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity." - Charles Mingus
Joe has a undergraduate degree from The Hartt School of Music and a Masters degree from The State University of NY at Purchase. He has had the opportunity to study and play with accomplished musicians such as Ralph Lalama, Rene McLean, Abraham Burton, Jimmy Greene, Doug Munro, Richie Morales, Jon Faddis, Kris Allen, Todd Coolman, Andy LaVerne, John Abercrombie, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Christopher Casey and many more.
More about Joe:
College: The Hartt School and SUNY Purchase
Major: Jazz Studies
My Best Gig: Headlining the Hartford Latin Jazz Festival with renowned Singer/Guitarist/Composer Nino Segarra
Favorite Classical Piece: The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky
Favorite Rock Band: Coheed and Cambria
Favorite Jazz Artist: Charlie Parker
Favorite Singer: Ella Fitzgerald
First piece of music that had a profound effect on me:
Now's the Time by Charlie Parker. It was the first song where I heard someone improvise. I was blown away by the fact that someone was able to just make up music on the spot, and I wanted to try to do it too!
Music teacher who inspired me the most:
Charlie Lagond was the teacher that helped me cultivate my passion for music during middle school and high school. He is the one who instilled my love for performing. He also introduced me the jazz music and how to improvise. I would not be where I am today if it weren't for him.
Favorite quote about music:
“Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that's easy. What's hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity." - Charles Mingus
