Bill Popaca – Saxophone player, writer, arranger, band leader. Although Bill regularly performs many styles of music, including Soul, Funk, Jazz, and Rock & Roll, his deepest roots are in the Blues. Being born and raised in New Jersey and attending college at New York University in the 1960’s provided Bill frequent exposure to some of the greatest musical influences a young musician could hope for. After playing Big Band Jazz and Rock and Roll up and down the east coast throughout college, and later being immersed in a thriving Soul, Funk, and Blues music scene in the Philippines, Bill moved with his rounded musical repertoire to Hawaii. For eight years thereafter, his band Aura played host to one of Hawaii’s hottest night clubs, and occasionally performed with musical greats such as Marvin Gaye, Kool and The Gang, Chester Thompson, members of the Average White Band, Al Jarreau, and Evelyn “Champagne” King. These days, Bill’s saxophone playing is in high demand. He can be seen performing with many groups, including Night Train, Power House, and the Honolulu Symphony Pops Orchestra.
Bill Popaca has owned and played some of the most famous saxophone models made, but now plays exclusively on Empress Saxophones. When asked why, this was his response:
“The Empress has the most robust, full, and clear sound. It gives a mellow, sensual subtone and has an effortless altissimo range. It lets me play out. There’s no need to play “safe.” It blows away all the other horns I have.”
Dr. Alphonso Sanders - Saxophone player, recording artist, and educator. Dr. Sanders is presently the Chair of Fine Arts and Director of the BB King Recording Studio at Mississippi Valley State University. Prior to his position at MVSU he served as the Director of Jazz Studies at Delta State University for three years and later appointed the Executive Director of the Delta Music Institute. During this time he was also the music coordinator for the Mississippi Summer Arts Program of the Bologna Performing Arts Center, Cleveland, MS. For four summers he served as an instructor at the “Mile High” Jazz Camp at the University Of Colorado at Boulder. Dr. Sanders has performed as featured guest artist at many outstanding schools and universities throughout the states.
Dr. Sanders has also performed at many recognized festivals including the North Sea Jazz Festival, Den Hague, Netherlands; the Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland; the Lucerne Blues Festival, Lucerne, Switzerland; the Mobile Jazz Festival; Many of the Delta Blues Festivals and the 1996 Summer Olympic entertainment festivities at Central Park, Atlanta, GA. In 1997 he founded the Joy Spring Jazz Ensemble which still provides music jobs for local musicians. In addition he has performed with such artist as Mulgrew Miller, Rhonda Richmond, Cassandra Wilson, John Birdsong, Paula West, Debra Brown, Bobby Rush, David Lee Durham, Jessie Robinson, Ron Wilkins, Craig Harris, Burgess Gardner, Joe Jennings, Alvin Fielder, London Branch, Vickie Baker, Chris Parker, Little Dave Thompson, Willie King, Ben Payton, Four Tops, “Honey Boy” Edwards, and Carl Allen among others. He placed 2nd in the both 2009 and 2010 International Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN. His recent recording projects are “Mississippi Influences” and “Twice As Nice”. He is the 2010 recipient of the MAC Folk Arts Fellowship
Dr. Sanders' roots are clearly deep in the heart of blues and jazz. To achieve his desired sound, his instrument of choice is the Empress tenor saxophone, unlacquered model.
Bourbon Zeigler - Saxophone player, composer, arranger, producer. Bourbon is an independent recording artist based in New York. He has produced and recorded multiple cds of his original material which demonstrate his uncontainable artistic expression. The tonal demands on his instrument throughout the ranges are high.
Alvaro Cardenas Jr. - Saxophone player, composer, arranger, producer, teacher, and singer. From Cartagena, Colombia, Alvaro has toured the world with various Big Bands, Jazz Orchestras, and Latin Groups. He has been involved with large and small groups, such as the JAZZ ORCHESTRA of the SHANGHAI SYMPHONY and the Brazilian influenced Jazz and Salsa group LATINOID. Currently, Alvaro performs in Shanghai with the JZ ALL STAR BIG BAND, is musical director for the "LATIN SHANGHAI PROJECT" (considered one of the most famous Salsa and Latin Jazz groups in Asia), and is producer and director of the famous Orchestra Colombo-China MANDARINA CHINA BAND (www.myspace.com/mandarinachinaband) .
Regarding his instruments of choice, Alvaro has this to say about his Empress Saxophone:
“The Tenor is absolutely wonderful! I’m so happy for everything about this horn. It is easy to blow, low notes are full and alive, high notes are very easy to play and have good tuning. It has a big sound! …so nice!!!!! I will play on it from now on in all my gigs.”
