Biography

Saxophonist, composer & teacher John McKenna has toured in the U.S. & Europe with Joe Lovano performing at major jazz festivals.  He has recorded on numerous albums including Larry Goldings Big Stuff  (Warner Bros.) that also featured Bill Stewart, Kurt Rosenwinkle and Idris Muhammad.  John has performed gigs & concerts with bands led by Tootie Heath, Red Rodney and Mullgrew Miller.  He has three recordings under his own name, the most recent is Portraits featuring Bruce Barth, Anthony Santor and Victor Lewis, due out in September on Ear Up Records.   Mr. McKenna created Resonant Structures, sculptural artworks of John’s that combine specific 3D forms & materials with improvisations, compositions and light sources.  A RS band was formed that features Jeff Cashen on guitar & effects, Max Goldman on drums, and John McKenna on saxophone & eurorack modular synthesizers. 

Mr. McKenna graduated the William Paterson University Jazz Studies program in NJ (’89) where he studied with Joe Lovano, Rufus Reid and Dave Samuels.  After graduation he then lived and played professionally in NYC & Brooklyn from 1989-2005.  He currently lives in Barrington, RI.  John teaches at the University of Rhode Island, Umass Dartmouth, Roger Williams University, and CCRI.  He taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshop in CA from 1990-2000.  John writes music, creates artwork, records and performs around New England and beyond.