Javier Arau
Biography
Javier Arau (born September 30, 1975) is an American composer, saxophonist, conductor, theorist, author, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and executive director of New York Jazz Academy, a popular New York City music school, leads the Javier Arau Jazz Orchestra, and is the author of several works on music theory and improvisation. Arau has been featured in The New York Times and DownBeat Magazine and was the cover artist of the July/August 2009 Saxophone Journal. His compositions have received awards from ASCAP, BMI, DownBeat Magazine, and IAJE, and are published by UNC Jazz Press and Dorn Publications. An internationally award-winning saxophonist, Arau is an artist-endorser of Virtuoso Saxophones and has served as an adjudicator for the MTNA National Woodwind Chamber Music Competition finals. Javier's treatise on Augmented Scale Theory was presented at the 2009 International Jazz Composers Forum, and he has taught at New England Conservatory and Lawrence University. Javier studied with composer Bob Brookmeyer, theorist George Russell, and saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi. Arau currently resides in New York City with his wife and two daughters.
GEAR
VIRT1002L Virtuoso Alto Saxophone
VIRT1004B Virtuoso Alto Saxophone
Videos
“The Virtuoso saxophone is a wonder! Its low end is effortless; the altissimo register is seemless. Even the ergonomics are a cut above the rest, requiring no need for my usual palm key risers. The Virtuoso handles really well, producing a remarkably warm tone and impeccably even intonation. This is a serious professional grade saxophone!”