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OTTIS GANCEDA
Mexican Saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator. With a Master´s Degree in Jazz
Performance by the “Aaron Copland School of Music” of the “City University of New York”.
Began his musical studies in 1990 at the Municipal School of Music “Enrique Patrón de Rueda” in his
hometown Mazatlan, Sinaloa. In 1994 he started a degree in classical saxophone at the National School of
Music in Mexico City. In 2004 years he graduated from the Bachelor in Jazz from the “Escuela Superior de
Música” of the “Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes” where he received the prize to the best student given by the
“Fernando Barranco” foundation and the scholarship awarded by the “Secretaría de Educación Pública” for
academic excellence and achievement. He also attended a course in Jazz Studies at the “American School of
Modern Music” in Paris, France, and several courses from the Berklee College of Music. In 2008 completed a
Master´s Degree in Jazz Performance at the “Aaron Copland School of Music” from the City University of New
York “, where he had the opportunity to study with masters such as Michael Mossman, Antonio Hart and David
Berkman. And took private lessons and master classes with jazz masters such as Antonio Hart, Miguel Zenon,
Eric Alexander, Jeff Clayton, Wayne Escoffery, Michael Karn, Ralph Bowen, David Sanchez, Chris Potter, Jerry
Bergonzi, John Scofield, among others.
In 2003 he received the scholarship “Jóvenes Creadores” and in 2007 the scholarship “Creadores con
Trayectoria” in composition awarded by FOECA. It was entitled to scholarships at the University of Texas and
Berklee College of Music in Boston.
He has played and recorded with the most select of the national and international jazz artists such as: in
México Agustin Bernal, Rey David Alexandre, Alex Kautz, Iraida Noriega, Jorge “Luri” Molina, Israel Cupich,
Mark Aanderud, etc. And internationally with artists such as Antonio Hart, Michael Mossman, Jason Marshall,
David Berkman, Jeb Patton, Ivan Renta, Quincy Davis, Bobby McFerrin, Robert Rodriguez, Ricky Rodriguez,
David Binney, Wayne Bergeron, Ed Calle and Arturo Sandoval, among others.
He has appeared in major national and international forums such as “Palacio de Bellas Artes” in Mexico City,
the Art Festival 02, “Centro Nacional de las Artes”, “Encuentro Internacional de Saxofones”, “Festival Cultural
de Mazatlan”, Art Life Jazz Fest, Jazz Series “Rufino Tamayo” Museum, “Festival Cultural Universitario
Sinaloa”, “Sala Carlos Chavez” at CCU, “Humedales festival de Jazz en Tabasco”, Franz Mayer Museum,
“Sala Ollin Yoliztli”, Zinco Jazz Club, 7 Lézards in Paris France, Fat Cat, Cleopatra’s Needle, Big Apple Jazz,
Smalls, Sweet Rhythm, American Legion in Harlem and Mintons Jazz Club in New York City, among many
others.
In the academic field he has taught students of all ages in places like “Brooklyn Charter School” and
Undergraduate level in “Aaron Copland School of Music” in the Queens College of the City University of New
York both in New York City. In Mexico City he has taught in “Academia de Musica Fermatta”, apart from a long
career giving private lessons, clinics and master classes. Currently together with some of the most important
jazz musicians in the country he has created the “LaFaro Jazz Institute” in Mexico City.
Recently he has been participating with Arturo Sandoval in several festivals as the “3er Encuentro
Internacional de Trompeta Rafael Mendez 2010”, “Festival Internacional de Campeche 2011” and “Muestra
Internacional de Jazz 2011” in Mexico City.
At the moment he is presenting his latest recording, co-led with guitarist Alberto Medina, entitled “Back Home”,
in Festivals and Concerts around the country. At the same time he is part of a lot of different projects with
renowned musicians.
For music, videos, pictures and more please visit his website www.ottisganceda.com