Paul Haar

Acclaimed saxophonist Paul Haar has contributed his notable talent to numerous projects in both the jazz and classical genres and is recognized as being one of the most versatile young saxophonists on the scene today. As an active classical musician he has performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe performing in such noted venues as Carnegie Hall, Spivey Hall and the Tanglewood Institute. As a soloist he has commissioned and performed featured works by Jack Cooper, Jessie Krebs, Leslie Hogan, Ben Boone, Randal Snyder and has been a featured artist with wind ensembles from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Tennessee and The University of South Carolina. In addition to his solo performances he has performed with such ensembles as The Tanglewood Music Center Fellowship Orchestra, The Arapahoe Philharmonic, The Austin Symphony, The Asheville Symphony and the Omaha Symphony. In the jazz idiom he has performed with such artists as Dave Brubeck, James Moody, The Manhattan Transfer, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Phil Woods and has backed such personalities as Bob Newhart, The Chiffons, and the Temptations. He has recorded on the Sea Breeze label as a member of the Boulevard Big Band, with saxophonist Eric Marienthal and vocalist Kevin Mahogany and with the Osland Saxophone Quartet. In addition to his solo work, Mr. Haar is active in such groups as The Southwest Horns Jazz-Saxophone ensemble, The Nebraska Jazz Orchestra, and The Haar/Hellmer duo (with pianist Jeff Hellmer), with whom he is planning a featured recording in 2006 (featuring jazz influenced works for saxophone).Actively involved as an educator, he has presented featured clinics and master classes at The 31st and 32nd Annual International Association for Jazz Education Conferences, The 59th Annual Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Tennessee Music Educators Association, Arizona Music Educators Association, Nebraska Music Educators Association, the Tennessee Music Educator's association an the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 3 conference at Drake University. He has contributed articles to such publications as the Tennessee Musician, The Instrumentalist, Jazz Times Magazine, Jazz Times Jazz Education Editions (2003, 2004, 2005) and the Saxophone Journal where he is a featured columnist. A native of Fremont, Nebraska, Dr. Haar received the B.M. and M.M. from The University of Kansas, where he studied with Vincent Gnojek, Dick Wright and Dan Gailey. He received the D.M.A. in Saxophone Performance with an emphasis in Jazz Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. There he studied with renowned saxophonist Harvey Pittel, Jeff Hellmer, and Rich Lawn. Dr. Haar has taught at The University of Kansas, The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Tennessee and is currently the Assistant Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.