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Meilana McLean Gillard is a young tenor saxophonist and composer residing in Brooklyn, New York. She enjoys creating music that is not held captive by any particular genre or label. Taking full advantage of NYC's vast artistic culture: Most recently, Meilana performed at Minton's Playhouse and Sweet Rhythm, with Charli Persip and Tyshawn Sorey. Meilana recently recorded with Joan Osborne and Greg Osby. Meilana leads her own groups, Quintet Nouveau and Heartland, and co-leads Symmetry with baritone saxophonist Lauren Sevian (Mingus Big Band). Meilana has been a member of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra since 2001. She has performed with artists such as Lou Rawls, Rene Marie, Johny Mathis, Mary Wilson, Debbie Reynolds, Toni Tennile, Benny Rietveld, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and Gary Bartz. Born in London, UK in 1981: She relocated to the village of Ridgeway, Ohio, where she began to study music at age 7 and saxophone at age 11. Through her teens she won several awards as a jazz soloist. She studied for two years at Ohio State University under Beatles saxophonist Gene Walker; at OSU, she developed an obsession for composition and arranging. Meilana moved to New York City in 2003 and began study at the New School University Jazz Program (class of 2005). She has studied privately with Seamus Blake, George Garzone, Tim Price, and Dave Glasser. She abandoned her small-town life to pursue knowledge and play with musicians in the highest echelon. |
