Monterey Sax

Monterey Sax is a saxophone quartet performing in the Monterey area. It was
formed in 1991 from members of the Monterey Community Band at the time. Two of those members are still present in this group. The group plays a wide variety of music from Renaissance, Baroque, Impressionistic, Rags, Dizieland, to Swing, Jazz and popular styles. Recently they performed at the Monterey Jazz Bash where they have been invited to return next March to perform there again.

Members

Paul Contos – Soprano and Alto Sax

International performer, music educator, conductor, and mentor, Paul has toured the globe. With over thirty years in jazz performance, education, and faculty positions at UC Santa Cruz, CA State University Monterey Bay, and Monterey Peninsula College and the Monterey Jazz Festival. He continues as Director of the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars Orchestra and Lecturer in Saxophone at Univ. of California Santa Cruz.

Gary Stotz – Alto Sax

Gary has taught private lessons for over fifty years in woodwinds, brasses. He had taught music in schools for 25 years, from elementary school through high school. He taught twenty years at Pacific Grove Middle School. Besides teaching Gary also repairs woodwinds and brasses for local professional musicians and schools. He performs on flute, alto sax and trumpet.

Ben Herod – Tenor Sax

Saxophonist Ben Herod is a mainstay of the Monterey music scene. Multi talented on all the saxophones-Sop thru Bass and clarinet. His sound has been described as lyrical and smooth, inventive and emotive. Ben has played with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Williams, Buddy Miles, Peter Erskine and his playing can be found on multiple albums from local and not so local recording artists.

Don Irving – Baritone Sax

Don also is an original member of the Monterey Sax. Don is the Leader of the BBBBB (Bye, Bye, Blues Boy Band), a New Orleans Style Traditional Jazz Band, that has performed all over Central California. He is Music Director for the Monterey Hot Jazz Society which meets once a month, on the second Sunday, at the Pacific Grove Masonic Lodge. Don performs in many other bands on all the various saxophones, clarinet, and string bass.