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BIOGRAPHY

A Washington, D.C. native, Geoffrey Deibel has emerged as a leading, innovative voice for the teaching and performance of the saxophone and contemporary music. He maintains a multi-faceted career as performer, teacher, and researcher. His most recent recordings include Iannis Xenakis’ Dmaathen with percussionist Ji Hye Jung, and his debut solo recording, “Ex Uno Plures.” He can also be heard on the Wet Ink Ensemble’s latest recording, “Missing Scenes.” He has performed with the Athens Saxophone Quartet, and with the International Contemporary Ensemble at the Park Avenue Armory (NYC) in the full North American Premiere of Louis Andriessen’s De Materie, and has given recitals throughout the U.S. and in Europe. Geoff has been an invited guest lecturer at Die Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Stuttgart, at University College Cork, Ireland, and many Universities in the US. He has appeared at the Internationale Ferienkurse für Neue Musik, Darmstadt, the International Iannis Xenakis Festival in Athens, Greece, and World Saxophone Congresses in the UK, Europe, and Thailand. 

Geoff has commissioned new works by both established and emerging composers, including Drew Baker, Caleb BurhansViet Cuong, Nathan DavisClaudio Gabriele, Martin Iddon, Robert Lemay, Marc Mellits, Joseph MichaelsForrest PierceDavid RakowskiDavid Reminick, Jesse Ronneau, and Eric Wubbels. He has also premiered the music of Louis Andriessen, Georges Aperghis, Jason Eckardt, Hiroyki Itoh, Pierre JodlowskiMarc MellitsElliott SharpJagoda SzmytkaMari TakanoHans Thomalla, and Amy Williams

Geoff is a member of the critically acclaimed h2 quartet, first prize winners at the Fischoff Competition and NASA Quartet Competitions, finalists at the Concert Artists Guild Competition, and recipients of multiple Aaron Copland Fund Grants. The American Record Guide has hailed h2 as a group of "artistic commitment...boasting superb blend, solid technique, [and] tight rhythm." h2 has seven recordings available, and maintains a non-profit organization to promote the creation of new works for the saxophone quartet. Geoff is also a seasoned orchestral performer, and serves as principal saxophonist with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. He previously served in the same capacity with the Wichita Symphony, and has also performed with the New World Symphony and Grant Park Symphony.  

As a jazz musician, Geoff has performed with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra and the Truth in Jazz Orchestra, and has performed locally on the Fisch Haus Jazz Series. He has also had the opportunity to perform alongside Ruben Alvarez, Ron Blake, Allison Miller, James Moody, and Matt Wilson. For four years, he served as the President of the Board of Directors for the Wichita Jazz Festival.

Geoff holds degrees in history and music from Northwestern University, and a doctoral degree from Michigan State University. His principal teachers have included Joseph LulloffFrederick HemkeLeo Saguiguit, and Reginald Jackson. Geoff has held teaching positions at the University of Florida and Wichita State University, where he was the recipient of the 2015 College of Fine Arts Award for Scholarly and Creative Activity, and the 2016 WSU Faculty Award for Excellence in Creative Activity. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Saxophone at Florida State University. He also serves on the faculty of the Cortona Sessions for New Music, and the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop. Geoff is a Yamaha, Vandoren, and LefreQue performing artist, and performs on Yamaha Saxophones, and Vandoren reeds, ligatures, and mouthpieces exclusively.

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News


News


News & Updates

7.6.23 A lot has happened already this summer! My recording of Iannis Xenakis’ Dmaathen with the amazing Ji Hye Jung is now out on YouTube! I’m also very excited to be on Wet Ink Ensemble’s latest recording, Missing Scenes. This release is titled after Kate Soper’s work which is featured on the album, along with music by Sam Pluta and Alex Mincek. I am also overjoyed to have finally given the premiere of Martin Iddon’s Sarx Nomos with Rachel Calloway and Alexandra Porter this summer in Cortona. Having finished up with teaching at the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop and Cortona Sessions for New Music in June and July, I’m looking forward to going to Bangkok for the Asia Pacific Saxophone Academy in about a week. For now, it’s time to relax before gearing up for a new year of teaching.

4.27.23 It’s been an incredibly busy year — many student successes to be proud of, as another year of teaching and performances in the books ends on a satisfying note. I received the news that I will be tenured and promoted to Associate Professor of Saxophone at Florida State University. Additionally, I’ve added my summer activities to my “Engagements” area, along with some upcoming fall and winter performances. It’s going to be a busy upcoming couple of months! One more thing to look forward to: my recording of Iannis Xenakis’ Dmaathen with the great Ji Hye Jung will be released very soon; I’ll post it when it’s completed! See you all on the road!

9.20.22 Another recent recording to share: I collaborated with beat maker and sound artist Van Orhari (Atlanta, GA) last year in an improvisation that was recorded and then processed by Van into a new song on his debut album, “Retrogress Transmissions.” You can check out his album on his Bandcamp page. Additionally, I’ve recently added some of my dates for performances for this fall. I look forward to seeing everyone in the concert (or lecture) hall!

5.11.22 My solo album “Ex Uno Plures” is now out on Blue Griffin Recordings!! The recording features music by Steve Reich, Klas Torstensson, Drew Baker, Alex Mincek, David Reminick, Luciano Berio, and Joseph Michaels. This project has been a long time in getting finished, but I’m overjoyed with the final product and especially excited to share music written by some of my closest musical friends. Click the album cover above to purchase.

4.18.22 Coming to the end of a busy school year, and I’m happy to share some performances from this past year: see my Recordings page to hear the video the world premiere of Kate Soper’s “Missing Scenes” from a Wet Ink Ensemble premieres concert in NYC from this past December. Such a great piece! Some summer activities coming up, with Cortona Sessions happening at Florida State this summer, and the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop in Oklahoma, as well as a few other concerts. Lastly, composer Robert Lemay has written a new solo bass saxophone piece for me, which I hope to premiere in the early fall! More info soon!

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Engagements


Engagements


Engagements


h2 quartet

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Material


Material


Saxophone Equipment

Alto

Yamaha EXII Alto Saxophone
Vandoren AL3 Mouthpiece
Vandoren AP3 Mouthpiece
Vandoren A9M Mouthpiece
Vandoren M/O Ligature
Vandoren 3.5 Traditional/V21 Reed

 

Baritone

Yamaha Custom Baritone Saxophone
Vandoren B35 Mouthpiece
Vandoren B7 Mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Ligature
Vandoren 3/3.5 Traditional Reed

Soprano

Yamaha EXG Soprano Saxophone
Vandoren S15 Mouthpiece
Vandoren S27 Mouthpiece
Vandoren SL4 Mouthpiece
Vandoren SL5 Mouthpiece
Vandoren M/O Ligature
Vandoren 3 Traditional Reed

Tenor

Yamaha EX Tenor Saxophone
Vandoren T20 Mouthpiece
Vandoren T25 Mouthpiece
Vandoren T8 Mouthpiece
Vandoren T95 Mouthpiece
Vandoren M/O Ligature
Vandoren 3 Traditional/Java Green Reed