Aaron Gratzmiller

Aaron Gratzmiller is a saxophonist, composer, and private instructor based in Boston, MA. His energetic playing and stylistic versatility has helped him become one of the most active performers in New England, sharing the stage with notable artists such as Kurt Elling, Antonio Hart, Robert Villera, and Matt Savage among others. He has been featured on the Nikhil Hogan Show, Boston Voyager Magazine, and has made numerous TV and radio appearances.

Aaron grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, where he began studying the piano at the age of 6. A few years later, he began playing the tenor saxophone in his elementary school band, and quickly developed an interest in Jazz. His early influences on the saxophone included John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Stanley Turrentine, and Cannonball Adderly. He continued taking lessons on both the saxophone and the piano through High School, when he began sitting in at local jazz jam sessions. Pittsburgh’s vibrant jazz scene awarded Aaron the opportunity to learn from greats such as Sean Jones and Roger Humphres, as well as local musicians. During this time Aaron developed a love for the hard bop style of jazz, in which many of the local musicians were well versed.

After high school, he majored in music at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and later Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, graduating from Berklee Summa Cum Laude in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance. At Berklee, Aaron was introduced to music and musicians from across the globe, and was able to learn from esteemed artists and educators such as Dino Govoni, Oscar Stagnaro, Ed Tomassi, Phil Wilson, and too many more to name. The influences and experience Aaron gained while at college fostered a more modern approach to the saxophone, which enabled him to play in many different styles.

Since graduating, Aaron has acquitted himself well in a wide array of musical settings. He has played on several professional recordings in styles ranging from rock to Venezuelan jazz fusion. Aaron currently performs with a several bands around the New England area and on tour. Some of these include The Matt Savage Groove Experiment (jazz Fusion), King of Hearts Band (top 40), as well as his own projects.

Along with trumpeter Wayne Pearcy, Aaron currently co-leads the Pearcy/ Gratzmiller Jazz Quintet, a project that combines traditional hard bop jazz with modern elements. The group has been featured on Brian Kerby’s Emmy nominated show 502 Sessions and 90.5 WHRB among others. The Quintet released it’s debut album Over the Edge in fall 2018, which has received critical acclaim in several online publications including Something Else, Jazz..u, Audible Addixion, and Vinyl Chapters. Aaron played tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones on the album, and composed 6 of it’s 10 songs.