About An Evening with The Kareem Kandi Band
A native of the Pacific Northwest, saxophonist
Kareem Kandi is a performer, composer, and educator, in high demand for his
talents both on and off the stage.
Kareem is a versatile saxophonist and composer with strong
roots in the traditions of Jazz, Blues, Classical and Funk, and has been
performing throughout the U.S. and abroad for years, gaining attention from
critics and audiences alike. While staying true to musical styles of the
past, he also keeps an eye towards the future by composing original music as
well as new arrangements of timeless songs from the great American songbook.
Since 1996, Kareem has been performing both as a
bandleader and as a sideman to enthusiastic audiences around the world at
concert halls, festivals, and clubs. Over the years Kareem has performed,
toured and recorded with some of the finest musicians in the music industry
including: Pete Christlieb, Patti Labelle, Mark Elf, Ali Jackson, D’vonne
Lewis, Bill Watrous, The Seattle Symphony, Mordy Ferber, Julian Priester,
The Paperboys, The Northwest Repertory Singers, Thomas Marriott, The Tacoma Symphony,
Alex Duncan, Frazey Ford, DJ Hapa, The Polyrhythmics, Bill Ramsay, The Staxx
Brothers, Jay Thomas, The Sabella Consort, Greta Matassa, The Temptations,
Hadley Caliman, The Four Tops, The Harry James Orchestra, Wayne Bergeron,
and many others. Because of his musical diversity, his group, The Kareem Kandi
Band has a sound that is fresh, innovative, and appeals to a wide variety of
audiences.
Growing up in the northwest with its vibrant music scene
allowed Kandi the opportunity to study with, listen to, and perform with world
class jazz artists residing in the area. Artists such as Tracy Knoop, Jay
Thomas, Don Lanphere, Bill Ramsay, and Pete Christlieb had a large impact on
Kareem early in his musical education. After finishing high school Kareem
received a full scholarship to Olympic College in Bremerton WA where he earned
an Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree. While completing his degree from
Olympic College he received another full scholarship to attend Cornish College
of the Arts in Seattle WA. Kareem attended Cornish and continued his
music studies with many renowned jazz artists that served on the faculty at the
time which included: Jovino Santos Neto, Julian Priester, Hadley Caliman, Dave
Peck, Randy Halberstadt, Chuck Deardorf, and Jim Knapp. Kareem completed
his Bachelor’s degree from Cornish in 2002 and since then has been very active
as a performer, composer, and teacher.
As an educator Kareem maintains a busy schedule teaching
at The Tacoma School of the Arts as an artist in residence. He also maintains a
full studio of forty private students, conducts weekly jazz classes at Ted
Brown Music, coaches ensembles for Seattle JazzED, and regularly conducts
masterclasses and workshops at schools around the Pacific Northwest. Along with
his teaching duties he is also the director of The Kareem Kandi World
Orchestra, The Tacoma Jazz Association, and has served on the Tacoma Arts
Commission. Kareem is a performing artist and clinician for Conn-Selmer and
D’addario Woodwinds.