The Glenn Kostur Quartet

TAOS JAZZ BEBOP SOCIETY is a small but mighty cultural force for jazz in New Mexico. Now in it’s ninth year, the Society presents worldclass jazz concerts in Taos year-round. They rely on memberships, donations, sponsorships and grants to present their concerts and fall festival. The Wildflower Playhouse concert is the first in what they hope will become a series of Sunday matinées.

In joyful pursuit of music, Glenn Kostur has virtually “done it all.” This multi-talented multi-instrumentalist and composer/arranger has, for more than 20 years, been a fixture on the New Mexico music scene, lending his saxophone, keyboard and vocal skills to a wide variety of groups including the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra, Chillhouse, Calle 66, Baracutanga, Certified Organic, the Sidewinders, the Pleasure Pilots and others.

In addition to his own recordings, he has appeared on projects including hONEyhoUSe “Raw Honey,” Chris Buckholz “Versatility,” Hillary Smith “No Easy Way,” and Pleasure Pilots “Pilot Project.”

Earlier in his career, Kostur spent three years as saxophonist, composer/ arranger, and musical director for jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, appearing on three recordings: “Big Bop Nouveau,” “Footpath Cafe” and “Live From London.”

Kostur has worked with such jazz luminaries as the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Louie Bellson Band, Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine, Al Hirt, Joe Williams, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Bob Mintzer, Slide Hampton and James Moody.

Kostur is also an educator of high standing. As director of Jazz Studies at the University of New Mexico since 1995, Kostur has conducted the UNM Jazz Bands, taught Improvisation, Composition & Arranging, and coached Jazz Combos. He has also been a clinician and guest performer at schools throughout the United States.

At The Wildflower, Koster will be playing both tenor and baritone saxophones. His quartet features three of New Mexico’s most in-demand side men.