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Biography

“A major force in the saxophone world,” (American Record Guide) internationally acclaimed saxophonist and recording artist Jonathan Wintringham has been described as “absolutely stunning…nothing short of a virtuoso,” (‘The Sax’ Magazine, Japan) and “a saxophonist of unusual sophistication…changing his color in ways so sensitive that he bordered on alchemist” (Philadelphia Inquirer). “Possessing a confidence and grace that comes from somewhere beyond experience,” (Arizona Daily Star) “he phrases with an artistic awareness well beyond his years; and he tackles the postmodernist content of his program with extreme volume shifts [and] daring color changes” (ARG).  He has given recitals, master classes and residencies throughout the United States, Canada, China, England, Japan, and Mexico.  An advocate of contemporary music, Jonathan has contributed to the addition of over forty new works for saxophone, including collaborations with composers Michael Djupstrom, Marc Mellits, Ted Goldman, Steven Bryant, Greg Wanamaker, Drew Krause, Jonathan Russell, Adam Gorb, Graham Lynch, and many more.

In 2015, Wintringham received the S&R Foundation’s Washington Award for his “dynamism, vision and exceptional creativity.” As a soloist, he has received first place awards in more than twenty competitions, including the 2015 Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Chamber Music Competition, the 2015 Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition, the 2013 Astral Artists National Auditions, the 2013 MTNA National Young Artist Competition, the 2011 Arizona State University Concerto Competition, the 2009 Tucson Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, the 2009 University of Arizona President’s Concerto Competition, and the 2008 Tucson Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition.  As a result of the 2014 Mahler Philharmoniker's International Auditions, Wintringham was selected as the first saxophonist to join the MPhil Artist’s Roster, based in Vienna, Austria. Other awards include the 2014 and 2012 North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Classical Solo Competitions, the 2012 & 2008 MTNA National Chamber Music Competitions, the 2012 & 2008 MTNA National Young Artist Competitions, the 2008 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition and the 2013 William C. Byrd Concerto Competition. Additionally, Wintringham was awarded a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music for demonstrating “outstanding performing abilities”, as well as Eastman’s John Celentano Award for Excellence in Chamber Music.

Wintringham has performed alongside many world-renowned musicians including Timothy McAllister, Masato Kumoi, the Masato Kumoi Saxophone Quartet, and Kazuhiro Takagi, former concertmaster of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.  In 2012, Jonathan was invited to premiere Alex Orfaly’s Divertissement No. 2 as a member of the New World Symphony Orchestra. He has given guest artist recitals and master classes at numerous institutions including the Eastman School of Music, the London College of Music (England), the Xinghai Conservatory (China), Chongqing Normal University (China), the Kunitachi College of Music (Japan), Temple University, Arizona State University, and the University of Arizona, and was the first featured Artist in Residence at the Zennor Music Series in Cornwall, England. Jonathan was the first classical saxophonist to be featured on American Public Media's Performance Today: Young Artists in Residence, and has been interviewed and invited to perform for several other television and radio shows including FOX News, WXXI, KLPX, and KUAT Television.  His debut CD, Walimai, has been broadcast internationally on England’s BBC and Japan’s FMN1, and is available on the Equilibrium (Albany) label.

Wintringham is currently the soprano saxophone chair of the award-winning chamber ensemble, the East End Quartet, whose performances have been described as “deep and powerful, sweet and high, fast and madcap” (SILive). Today, East End is rapidly gaining recognition for its unique approach to programming, which features close collaboration with composers, in-house arrangements, and an eclectic range of their own transcriptions. East End will release its debut album in the 2017, featuring the music of J.S. Bach, Michael Djupstrom, Jun Nagao, Astor Piazzolla, and more. Additionally, Jonathan’s former award-winning chamber ensemble, The Catalina Quartet, can be heard on AUR’s America’s Millennium Tribute to Adolphe Sax, Volume XIV presenting the North American premiere recording of Gavin Bryar’s Alaric I or II. Jonathan further served as a member of several recording and award-winning chamber ensembles including the Presidio Saxophone Quartet, and the saxophone trio, Trikaya.

In addition to his duo with composer and pianist Michael Djupstrom, Wintringham performs regularly as a member of the Bando/Wintringham Duo. Together with renowned saxophonist and Professor of Saxophone at the Kunitachi College of Music, Kuninobu Bando, the Tokyo-based chamber ensemble has received numerous accolades for their international performances since their formation in 2009. The duo’s debut album was released in May 2015 in Tokyo’s Izumi Hall, and features world-premiere recordings of music by Ted Goldman, Randall Cornelison, Ken Thomson, and Izumi Matsumoto, as well as the music of Astor Piazzolla and Marc Mellits. The duo’s latest project paired them with trailblazing composer Jonathan Russell and the Eastman Wind Ensemble for the premiere of Russell’s new double-concerto, Fantasy on Five. Commissioned by the duo, the world-premiere took place in the spring of 2016, during the US-based portion of their CD release tour.

Wintringham holds a Master of Music degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Arizona. His instructors have included Timothy McAllister, Nobuya Sugawa, Chien-Kwan Lin, Masato Kumoi, Kelland Thomas and Asako Inoue.  Furthermore, he has performed in master class settings for Vincent David, Claude Delangle, Masataka Hirano, Hitomi Hara, Lars Mlekusch, John Sampen, Kenneth Tse, and James Umble. He has participated in several of the world’s most prestigious fine arts programs, including the Hamamatsu International Wind Instrument Academy and Festival in 2008 and 2009. As a recipient of the University of Arizona’s Undergraduate Research Grant and the Eastman School of Music's Professional Development Grant, Jonathan has performed significant research involving the role of saxophone in Japan, including a six-month Tokyo based investigation into the inner workings of the collegiate training systems and musical cultures of Japan.

Wintringham is a Conn-Selmer artist, and plays Selmer (Paris) saxophones exclusively. He is also an Astral Performing Artist and an endorsing artist for MusicMedic.com’s RooPads.