from USA
Dr. Christopher J. Kocher is associate professor of saxophone and jazz studies at the University of South Dakota. An active performer and educator, he has an extensive background in both classical and jazz saxophone. As a classical saxophonist, he has performed with the South Dakota Symphony, Sioux City Symphony, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, and others. He is a member of the Kocher Duo with his wife, flutist Stephanie Kocher. He also performs with the Sempre Saxophone Quartet, which recently recorded a CD on Centaur Records. Kocher has premiered new works at the World Saxophone Congress and other North American Saxophone Alliance events. As a jazz performer, he regularly plays with his own quartet, the South Dakota Jazz Orchestra, the USD Faculty Jazz Quintet, and others. He has also played with Frank Mantooth, Steve Wiest, Denis DiBlasio, Al Jarreau, the Temptations, the Les Brown Orchestra, and the Jimmy Dorsey Big Band. Kocher completed his doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado and also holds degrees from Wichita State University and Washburn University. He has studied the saxophone and jazz with top performers and educators such as Roger Greenberg, Eugene Rousseau, Jean Lansing, Ken Ticknor, Gene Aitken, Chuck Tumlinson, and Tom Fowler. |
