Gunnar Mossblad

Biography

GUNNAR MOSSBLAD is active as a saxophonist, composer/arranger, and educator in both the European classical and American jazz idioms. He earned a B.M. in Jazz Studies and an M.M. in Saxophone Performance from the University of North Texas, and is presently the Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Saxophone at The University of Toledo.

Gunnar performs concerts and clinics throughout the world. He has collaborated and recorded with numerous jazz and classical artists including Jon Hendricks, David Liebman, Jimmy Cobb, Marv Stamm, Mickey Roker, Cecil Payne, Jim Ridl, Chris Hanning, Royce Campbell, John D’earth, Hod O’brien, Mel Tormé, John Coates, Jr., Claude Black, and classical composers Libby Larsen, Gunther Schuller, John Harbison, Avnor Dorman, and many others. He also serves as the musical director and member of the internationally acclaimed David Liebman Big Band as well as the Manhattan Saxophone Ensemble.

When Gunnar is not performing, he is composing music. He has composed music for a wide variety of musical situations, and is published by Houston Publishing, Le Moine Music, and the FJH Music Company. He is also a regular contributor to the Saxophone Journal magazine.

His compositions and playing can be heard on critically acclaimed recordings including The Seasons Reflected (Soul Note 121345-2), with the David Liebman Big Band on the Grammy Nominated recording, Beyond The Line (Omnitone-12204), with the mph trio on Curves (GPC-CD1024), and The Manhattan Saxophone Ensemble on The Dogwalk (GPC-1023). He is the recipient of many grants and honors including a 2007 Pennsylvania Council for the Arts Fellowship award for outstanding artistry, and his most recent release with jazz master Dave Liebman, The Dave Liebman Big Band…As Always (MAMA Records MAA-1039) is receiving outstanding reviews.

Gunnar is a saxophone clinician for the SELMER Company, Elkhart, Indiana.