Bio

Wayne Leechford is a saxophonist and woodwind specialist from Raleigh, North Carolina. He received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he studied with classical tenor saxophonist, James Houlik. Mr. Leechford is adjunct professor of saxophone at North Carolina State University.

Wayne Leechford's performance credits include artists such as New Century Saxophone Quartet, The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Coasters, Clay Aiken, Regis Philbin, Susan Lucci, Lorna Luft, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Harry James Orchestra, and The Cab Calloway Orchestra. Wayne performs in orchestra pits for nationally touring Broadway shows (click here for theater credits) and is the musician contractor for the Durham Performing Arts Center, recently ranked in the top 10 for theater ticket sales in the USA. Locally, he has played with the Raleigh Symphony, Free Spirits Ensemble, Raleigh Civic Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, Tar River Orchestra and Symphonic Band, North Carolina Wind Orchestra, North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra, North Carolina Theatre, Broadway Series South, and Raleigh Little Theatre. He performed for President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1995 (click here for pictures). His appearances have included live television, radio broadcasts, and recording sessions.

Mr. Leechford is a dedicated woodwinds teacher and in addition to teaching at NC State, he owns and operates his own teaching studios in Cary, NC, Leechford Music Teaching Studios. He teaches private lessons and directs a chamber music program for middle and high school students. Also, he is a clinician for local middle and high school wind ensembles, marching bands, and jazz bands. His students consistently receive top awards for their performances.

Wayne Leechford is currently working on a CD of new chamber music that he commissioned for baritone saxophone. He premiered these pieces in recital at NC State in February, 2011. The CD, "Works of Art" is scheduled to be released Jan. 31, 2012. Click here to listen to an interview about this commissioning project on WCPE 89.7, "The Classical Station".