Described as an “insightful musician with a beautiful sound” (Karlos Rodriguez, Catalyst Quartet), David Cortez is currently a graduate student in Saxophone Performance at San Jose State University, where he also received the 2022 Most Oustanding Performer Award in his undergraduate studies under Dr. Michael Hernandez. He has been a music educator for over 5 years and enjoys working with students of all levels.

 

Recently, he has appeared as a soloist with the Redwood Symphony, ECHO Chamber Orchestra, Resound Ensemble, Disrupt Ensemble, Santa Cruz Symphony, Peninsula Cantare, and the San Jose State University Wind Ensemble.

 

Cortez has been invited to fellowships and festivals of national acclaim, including Chamber Music Silicon Valley’s Emerging Artist Fellowship, Quinteto Latino’s Seminario Conference, Ensemble Evolution 2023, the Rascher Saxophone Academy, and the Yarn/Wire Institute. David was a Grand Prize Winner in the International Frances Walton Competition and the Beverly Hills National Auditions. He was also a national finalist at the MTNA Chamber Music Competition and an invited live competitor to the prestigious Naumburg Saxophone Competition.

 

As an active chamber musician, David has appeared in music series across the West Coast. Featured highlights include Music by the Sea(San Diego, CA), Music in the Mansion (Beverly Hills, CA), 405 Shrader (San Francisco, CA), Bainbridge Island Museum Series (WA), the Seattle Public Library (WA), Bridge Street Theather (Catskill, NY), the San Jose Museum of Art (CA), the Mexican Heritage Center (San Jose, CA), and more.

 

Cortez performs with the critically acclaimed MANA Quartet and plays on saxophones fit to the acoustic specifications of its inventor, Adolphe Sax. He can be heard on Classical KING FM and NPR’s Live Sessions.