Bio

The birth of The Saxyderms can be traced to humble beginnings in Tufts University's Cohen Auditorium.

In the spring of 2006 co-founders Tom and Jordan hatched an idea during a Tufts Wind Ensemble rehearsal. Why not start a modest saxophone quartet to play at campus events?

During the upcoming summer Tom went to work posting advertisements and contacting Tufts saxophonists to fill out the last two spots in the quartet. The response, however, was overwhelming. So many young musicians at Tufts and neighboring colleges, as well as recent graduates living in the Boston area, were hungry for a musical outlet.

With so many interested saxophonists, Tom and Jordan scrapped the quartet idea and reconceived their dream as a large and flexible ensemble.

The Tufts University Wind Ensemble sponsored the fledgling group and by its inaugural concert in November 2006 the Tufts University Saxophone Ensemble had grown to eight members.

As the ensemble grew in membership and professionalism it was able to sustain itself as an independent organization. It soon broke free from its affiliation with Tufts and adopted "The Saxyderms" as its official name.

In 20 years of operation, The Saxyderms have played all over New England - at art fairs, nursing homes, elementary schools, colleges, fundraisers, holiday parties, and a great number of public parks.