Bob Shaut began Sax Life in 1986 as a vehicle to compose and arrange music for a saxophone quartet with rhythm section.  A series of jazz concerts in schools led to a residency at J.D.'s Backyard, a club in Poughkeepsie, for over two years.  Adding vocalists Betty MacDonald and later Sandy Lomax paved the way for the band to perform at events throughout the Hudson Valley. 

 

In the late nineties, Sax Life became strictly a saxophone quartet featuring the talents of saxophonists  Ron Finck, Ed Summerlin, Ed Xiques, along with Bob,  performing regularly at the Rosendale Cafe.  After the deaths of Finck and Summerlin,  Bob decided to disband the group.

 

Bob retired from his teaching position in 2010 and immediately reunited Sax Life.  Former members Ed Xiques and bassist Charlie Kniceley were joined by saxophonists Jim Perry and Dan Shaut and drummer Jeff "Siege" Siegel.  In 2013, Sax Life released its first CD, "The Saxophone and the Drum," comprised of all Bob Shaut original compositions.  The group returned to the Rosendale Cafe and standing room only performances.  Recently Sax Life has set up residency at the ArtBar in Kingston, doing a Mid-Town jazz series.  

 

A unique aspect of recent Sax Life performances is the thematic concepts designed for each perfomance.  Because of the success of these concepts, Sax Life would like to add more venues for audiences to experience them. 

 

See below or click here for our thematic programs: