GUNNAR MOSSBLAD is well known as a both a jazz and classical saxophonist, as well as a composer and educator. His collaborations with jazz masters such as Dave Liebman, Jon Hendricks, Jimmy Cobb, Randy Brecker, and many others have enriched his unique voice on the saxophone and as a composer. His performing and compositions can be heard on numerous recordings including his award winning Gunnar Mossblad & CrossCurrents (SUMMIT DCD-587), R.S.V.P. (SUMMIT DCD-662), Monk, A NYC Tribute (Jazz ‘n’ Arts JnA6112), The Seasons Reflected (Soul Note 121345-2), and with the Dave Liebman Big Band on the Grammy Nominated recording, Live…As Always (MAMA Records MAA-1039) and Tribute To Wayne Shorter (MAMA 1047), and finally the Manhattan Saxophone Ensemble’s The Dogwalk (GPC-1023). He also serves as the Musical and Education Director and member of the internationally acclaimed David Liebman Big Band as well as the Manhattan Saxophone Ensemble. He has also been fortunate to premiere 20th and 21st century Classical pieces written by award winning composers including Gunther Schuller, Jon Harbison, Libby Larsen, Larry Nelson, and many more, and has performed with the Fort Worth, Dallas, Roanoke, Toledo, and National Symphonies.
He has written numerous compositions and arrangements for a wide variety of ensembles. In addition to the project mentioned above, He has written classical and jazz commissions for a variety of chamber groups, production music for television productions, industrial and indie films, and recently a full symphony orchestra with big band. His compositional style might best be described as a blending of traditional compositional techniques with both contemporary and chromatic harmony. He is published by Houston Publishing, LeMoine Music, FJH Music Company, and Jazz Aebersold. He was a regular contributor to the now defunct Saxophone Journal as well as Jazz Player magazine.
After earning a B.M. in Jazz Studies and an M.M. in Saxophone Performance from the famed University of North Texas, Gunnar has held Professorships at three Universities over the last 35 years. James Madison University, West Chester University, and is currently Professor of Music at the University of Toledo. He is a clinician for the CONN-SELMER Company, Elkhart, Indiana, and endorses the Silverstein Saxophone Ligatures.