Saxophonist Glenn Kostur performs frequently in the Albuquerque/Santa Fe area. For three years Glenn was saxophonist, composer/arranger, and musical director for jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, with whom he appeared on three recordings: “Big Bop Nouveau,” “Footpath Café,” and “Live From London.”
In 2005 Mr. Kostur released his first CD as a leader. “Trifling” is a saxophone/bass/drums trio recording of original compositions and jazz standards. In 1999, he helped found the contemporary saxophone quartet, Thrascher, recently performing in St. Andrews, Scotland, premiering his composition Suite Scotch at the World Saxophone Congress. Other notable Thrascher performances include the World Saxophone Congress in Montreal and the North American Saxophone Alliance conference in Tucson, Arizona.
Mr. Kostur’s recording credits include the Steve Wiest Jazz Orchestra, the H2 (Dave Hanson/Al Hood) Big Band, Bob Lark’s Alumni Big Band, Frank Mantooth Jazz Orchestra, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Chicago’s Jazz Members Big Band, and the Texas All-Star Jazz Band. Mr. Kostur’s music is available at glennkostur.com and thrascher.com.
As a freelance performer in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago and Albuquerque, Mr. Kostur has worked with jazz artists such as the Woody Herman Orchestra, the Louie Bellson Band, Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine, Al Hirt, Joe Williams, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Bob Mintzer, Slide Hampton, and James Moody; and popular performers including Tony Bennett, Linda Ronstadt, Donna Summer, Olivia Newton-John, Johnny Mathis, Diahann Carroll, Rosemary Clooney, Joel Gray, Harry Connick, Sr., Wayne Newton, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gormé, and The Temptations.
Mr. Kostur has served on the music faculty at the University of New Mexico as the Director of Jazz Studies since 1995, conducting the premiere jazz ensemble. He also teaches jazz improvisation and coaches jazz combos.
As a jazz educator, Mr. Kostur has been a clinician and guest performer at schools throughout the United States, and he recently conducted the All Northwest Jazz Band featuring talented high school students chosen from among six states (AK, ID, OR, MT, WA, WY). He has also conducted high school All-State jazz groups in Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Texas.