CHRIS Guarnere
Role at ROC Star Academy:
Saxophone Coach
Hometown:
Rochester, New York
Your musical focus/instruments you play:
Saxophone, Vocals, Keyboards.
When did you start pursuing music?
At age 6, I played piano, then switched to tenor sax at age 12.
What is your musical education?
Professional private lessons, high school instruction, and professional private lessons at Eastman School of Music.
What are your musical influences/favorite bands?
Tom Scott, John Klemmer, Ben Webster, Sonny Stitt Jazz Standards, Jazz Fusion, Progressive Rockers YES and Dream Theater are my most favorite Bands
What is your favorite venue or event that you’ve performed?
Frontier Field Opening Day with my band, Me & the Boyz.
What’s the craziest thing that ever happened to you on-stage?
Years back while playing a wedding, my band didn't have stage lights so we turned on the red lights above us, It turned out they were heat lamps for the buffet line. Everyone in the band was sweating pretty bad when we finally found out.
What’s the best piece of musical advice you’ve received in your career thus far?
Listen to your band on stage. Don't overplay. It's not how fast or technical you can be, it's playing with feeling and expression.
What is your favorite part of coaching at ROC Star Academy?
Watching and hearing the progress from the kids as they learn.