Ken Nigro is a well known woodwind performer and educator.  He has performed and lectured at state and national music festivals and conferences.  Ken has played or recorded with artists such as: Joe Beck, the Tonight Show Orchestra under Doc Severinsen, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Manhattan Transfer, Ernie Watts, Chris Botti, Harvey Swartz, Bill Mays, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and John Pizzarelli. He has performed at venues including the White Nights Jazz Festival in Russia, the JVC Jazz Festival in Saratoga, Freihoffer’s Hartford Jazz Festival and the Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C.  Ken Nigro also performs with various symphonies & ensembles, and plays shows such as “Classical Mystery Tour” (Beatles tribute with full orchestra), the musical “Chicago” and Disney’s “Newsies” tour (2014).  Ken has authored the textbook “The Complete Saxophone” and he is very active as a clinician and festival conductor.  He has premiered three original compositions: “Big Schlepps” (for jazz quintet), “Song #10” (for EWI & alto sax with jazz trio), and “Wednesday Night at the Red Door” (for jazz nonet).  Ken is a past recipient of the Saxophone Service Performance Award.  He has been an adjunct professor at the college level for over 25 years (Central Conn. State University, University of Connecticut, NVCC and currently at Southern Connecticut State University).  Prior to that he was a graduate assistant teaching saxophone at the University of Miami in Florida. Ken is currently an adjunct woodwind lecturer at the Taft School; a visiting artist for the Waterbury Arts Magnet School; and teaches a jazz improvisation program at Cheshire High School.

Ken is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays the YSS-875B soprano sax (with a gold plated neck), a YAS-875B alto sax (with gold and sterling necks), a YTS-82ZB tenor sax with a gold neck, a YPC-62 piccolo, a YFL-561H flute (with Type A & K headjoints), YCL-CSV Bb & A clarinets and a BB-2000 electric bass.

He uses AMT Wi5C wireless and AMT LS clip on microphones.

The Ken Nigro Band performs at clubs, wedding receptions, festivals, dances and corporate events.  Ken also specializes in wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours as a solo act or as a duo.  His other groups range from trio to 9 pieces.  He plays rock, jazz, classical and popular music.

For more information or to hire Ken or any of his groups: