Joe Longardner ：Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana USA, Joe first picked up the saxophone at age 9 and by age 12, had already taken a strong liking to Jazz. He became a regular at the local jam sessions and by age 15 was playing a few local shows a month with various big bands and combos. He was even awarded First Tenor Saxophone in the Indiana All State Jazz Band during high school. Joe decided to attend Butler University and The University of South Florida to continue his musical education and eventually graduated with a Bachelors of Music and Jazz, and a Master of Music in Jazz Performance respectively. During his undergraduate degree, Joe was named one of Indiana's outstanding college Jazz musician by the Indiana Jazz Foundation. He also taught Jazz Band and Combo at Avon High School, part time, for one year during his time at Butler. During his masters degree, he taught three undergraduate music classes each semester which ranged from Jazz Theory, Jazz Improvisation, Small Group Combos, Big Band. Joe also lived in Madrid, Spain where he studied composition at the Escuela de Música Creativa and became an active member of the Madrid music scene. During this time, Joe also worked regularly for Carnival Cruise Lines. First in the show bands, and later as Musical Director. Since 2013 Joe has lived in Guangzhou, China. He became a freelance musician and worked and performed in many settings all around China and Asia. He was even able to be a Jazz instructor at the XingHai Conservatory of Music. Currently, Joe is an endorsed artist for the Korean Saxophone company, Kim's Korea Saxophone. For Kim's Joe travels giving saxophone demonstration sessions, teaches master classes and gives performances. Joe is also a member of the group Dragon Jazz. He is based out of Guangzhou, China and there he teaches, plays local shows and enjoys the climate. Joe has been a featured and guest performer for many local and international Jazz Festivals, been a guest soloist on many albums, guest directed big bands and composes music for a band under his own name. Joe's solo project and Dragon Jazz regularly tours with JZ Club and other venues to many locations throughout China and Asia. He is an annual performer at a few European Jazz festivals and other music festivals in Asia. In addition to being a performer and a teacher, Joe has many side projects. He works as a consultant to instrument manufactures, composes music for various setting, and is currently working with Spanish designer Josepet Bass to create their own line of woodwind accessories including saxophone mouthpieces, ligatures, clarinet barrels and eventually saxophone necks. Limited number of prodcuts are already for sale, and currently prototyping many more. Stay tuned.