The Quatrophonics
"The Quatrophonics" saxophone quartet has performed their eclectic blend of jazz and pop from the dawn of the 20th century to the present day at many events and venues throughout the upstate of South Carolina since 2011, including special events, festivals, museums, bars and restaurants.
You'll hear the influences the great jazz saxophonists of the past and the stylings of many a cappella jazz groups in their sound. The lush harmonies and swinging rhythms of their unique arrangements are sure to please any audience.
"The Quatrophonics" can be reached on Facebook or through the Contact page here. They would love the opportunity to play for your event.
Stan Widener
Soprano / Alto
Stan Widener is a retired engineer and a life-long musician. He plays multiple musical instruments, including saxophones, clarinets (Eb sopranino, Bb soprano, Bb bass), flute, guitar, mandolin, ukelele and bass guitar. He began playing the clarinet in 5th grade band and fell in love with the saxophone and jazz music in high school. As an Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin, Stan continued pursuing music and studied saxophone under Dr. Al Regni, professor of saxophone at UT.
Over his career in engineering Stan has always stayed involved with music, primarily as a worship leader and ensemble musician in churches he has attended. In addition to his part in The Quatrophonics, he currently plays woodwinds with the Greenville Concert Band, the worship ensemble at Fellowship Greenville, Spartanburg Dixieland group “The Windjammers”, and other occasional gigs.
Alto / Tenor
Gary Livingston
Gary Livingston is retired from the General Electric Co. and is a native of Schenectady NY, relocating to Simpsonville, SC in 2011. Musical instruments include soprano, alto, tenor, bari sax, clarinet, and bass clarinet. He is a former member of American Federation of Musicians, local 14 in Albany NY, was a 17 year member of The Joey Thomas Big Band, 14 years with BrassOMania, and performed with other Albany organizations such as Guilderland Town Band, Colonie Town Band, in the Albany NY area.
Over his musical career, he has had the honor to perform with nationally known performers such as The Temptations, James Carter, Jon Fadis, Jegs Wegman. Currently he is a member of Quatrophonics, GreenSpan Big Band, Carolinians Senior Jazz Band, Senior Action Concert Band, Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble, Sounds of Diversity Orchestra and performs occasionally with other local Bands
Dave Johnson
Tenor
Dave Johnson is an Engineer with ATS of Ontario Canada, and is originally from Chattanooga, TN. He started on alto in the 7th grade and quickly developed a love of jazz and harmony. With many mentors along the way, he played lead tenor in both his high school jazz band and at Tennessee Tech University. He enjoys writing some of the quartets' arrangements. Most are influenced by vocal groups like the Real Group, Manhattan Transfer, Take Six and the Singers Unlimited, and by the arrangements of Gene Peurling. Growing up, his biggest contemporary influences were Michael Brecker and David Sanborn, and of course the old masters, Bird and Trane.
In addition to the Quatrophonics, Dave is a member of the Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble, Deep-Dish Dixieland and occasionally the Greenville Jazz Collective big band and Ol' 74 Jazz band.
Jim Litzie
Bari
Jim Litzie currently works as a software developer for Carter Lumber. He began playing saxophone since an early age, and with the exception of a few years in the late seventies, has played continually for over forty-five years. After moving to Greenville in 1996, he joined the Greenville Concert Band, staying with them for about ten years. The move to Greenville was initiated by a career change to software development.
Several years ago, the opportunity to play in the Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble (17 piece big band) as a sub was offered and has since become a full time member playing bari (and sometimes alto) sax. He has found playing jazz in The Quatrophonics and SJE big band extremely rewarding.
