Dr. Joshua Heaney is a concert saxophonist seeking novel expression, storytelling, and human connection through contemporary music. He has commissioned and premiered over 40 works, collaborating with distinguished composers such as Augusta Read Thomas, Marilyn Shrude, Marc Mellits, Michael Schelle, Evan Ziporyn, Viet Cuong, Matthew Kennedy, and many others. Joshua’s music and research have taken him to Italy, Switzerland, and throughout the United States at regional and national engagements, including Atlanta SoundNOW, Bowling Green New Music Festival, Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival, The International Conference on Music and Minimalism, NAfME Eastern Region Conference, North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences, and many others. Described as, “a sparkling and emotionally charged elixir of sound” (Morning Classics with Mary Claire Murphy), Joshua has been featured on various music series and radio programs, such as ArtsX, EAR|EYE, ASCAP New Music Friday, San Francisco Classical Voice’s Week in Music, WABE Atlanta Music Scene, and WGTE Live from FM 91. A musician in demand, Joshua has appeared as a soloist with the Oklahoma City Symphonic Band, Keene State College Concert Band, Heidelberg University Symphonic Band, Atlanta Chamber Collective, Georgia State University Wind Ensemble, among others. He has performed as an orchestral saxophonist with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Lima Symphony, Macon Symphony, Snow Pond Music Festival Orchestra, and Eastern Music Festival Pops.
Dr. Heaney serves as Saxophone Instructor & Recruitment Coordinator at Oklahoma City University’s Wanda L. Bass School of Music and is the founder-director of the Oklahoma Saxophone Ensemble. During the summer, he teaches saxophone at New England Music Camp and the internationally recognized Frederick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute.
“A marvelous performance... extremely sensitive dynamically, with a beautiful sound!”
“Many thanks for your lovely performance of ‘Lacrimosa’ today. You played the piece with great sensitivity and a deep understanding of my musical intentions. A composer could not ask for more.”
“Words fall short to describe the impact of your music.”
“You both sound beautiful. Listening to it made me tear up… Thanks so much—it brought me some much-needed joy to hear Sanctuary played so beautifully.”
“Joshua Heaney and Benjamin Nylander execute Alchemy with the elegant precision, resonance, and introspection necessary to formulate a sparkling and emotionally charged elixir of sound.”
“Saxophone & piano duo finds the right chemistry on Alchemy!”
“Alchemy is an intense experience, and it struck me in a powerful way upon first hearing it…an outstanding release absolutely worth purchasing.”
“Dear Joshua, thank you! LOVED IT SO MUCH! AMAZING! Beyond grateful to you for conducting and to all your musicians [for premiering Rings of Light]!”
OFFICIAL CD ALBUM RELEASE
ALCHEMY - Debut Album This release features contemporary music for saxophone and piano concerned with exploring a fundamentally intertwined relationship. Performed by saxophonist Joshua Heaney and pianist composer Benjamin Nylander, each piece is highly idiomatic for each instrument and makes full use of a wide pallet of techniques, colours, and sounds. The end result is a collection of music that could not be possibly performed on any other combination of instruments. Seeking novel expression, story telling, and human connection through contemporary music.
“Joshua Heaney and Benjamin Nylander execute Alchemy with the elegant precision, resonance, and introspection necessary to formulate a sparkling and emotionally charged elixir of sound.” - Mary Claire Murphy, host of “Morning Classics,” WGTE FM 91
“Saxophone & piano duo finds the right chemistry on Alchemy!” - David Dupont, BG Independent News
“Alchemy is an intense experience, and it struck me in a powerful way upon first hearing it…an outstanding release absolutely worth purchasing.” - Kevin Norton, Saxophone Symposium Journal
Track Listing
John Anthony Lennon: Distances Within Me (1979)
Marilyn Shrude: Lacrimosa (2006, premiere recording)
Mischa Zupko: Simple Song (2019, premiere recording)
Benjamin Nylander: Body of Water (2022, premiere recording)
Viet Cuong: Sanctuary (2020, premiere recording)
