Wade Howles
"Every saxophonist and educator needs Key Leaves and a Vent Vine in their cases. I can see and feel a huge difference in my C#, G#, and palm keys since I began using them."
Saxophonist, educator, and performing artist Dr. Wade Howles is currently the Director of Bands at Lakeview Community Schools (Columbus, NE) and a freelance jazz and classical saxophonist throughout Nebraska and the surrounding region. He has previously held positions at Doane University as Adjunct Instructor of Saxophone and Instrumental Jazz (2010-2014) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (2009-2013).
Dr. Howles graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He then pursued Master of Music (2010) and Doctor of Musical Arts (2017) degrees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he studied under the guidance of acclaimed saxophonist Dr. Paul Haar. Dr. Howles’ dissertation focuses on the use of jazz elements in Don Freund’s Sky Scrapings for alto saxophone and piano. Howles has also performed and presented scholarly research at regional and biennial conferences of the North American Saxophone Alliance (2011, 2017, 2018) and U.S. Navy Band Saxophone Symposiums (2011, 2012, 2013).
Dr. Howles has performed internationally and regularly performs with groups such as the Omaha and Lincoln Symphonies, Northeast Area Jazz Ensemble, the Room 9 Duo, and Binary. He is also a founding member and current tenor saxophonist of TCBSQ, a new saxophone quartet that uses their blend of resonant tone and virtuosic technique to bring new appreciation to the saxophone. In 2011 Howles won a Downbeat award as a member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Jazz Orchestra and has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Gary Foster, Ray Anderson, Ingrid and Christine Jensen, Matt Wilson, Stefon Harris, Bill Watrous, Matt Penman, Avishai Cohen, Greg Abate, Scott Wendholt, and Clay Jenkins. Howles is also active in commissioning new works and has premiered pieces by David Von Kampen (“Saxophone Quartet” 2010), Christine Jensen (“Treelines” 2011), Kye Ryung Park (“Fantasy for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble” 2011), Kara Baxter (“On This Journey: Suite for Big Band and Five Voices” 2014), and Daniel Baldwin (“Vortex” 2017). He will be debuting a new work by Garrett Hope for alto saxophone and clarinet in October of 2018 as part of the Room 9 Duo.
Dr. Howles currently resides in Columbus, NE with his wife, Janet, son, Jackson, and dogs, Max and Toby. Outside of music he enjoys golfing, competing as a natural bodybuilder, and being overly organized. He can be found on Instagram (@rippedreeds), as well as Twitter (@jwhmusic) Facebook (@jwhmusic).