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Jack Brandfield's Four Spartans

Born and raised in New York City, Jack Brandfield is a jazz saxophonist who is currently majoring in Jazz Studies at Michigan State Universitys College of Music. He cites Stan Getz, Ben Webster, Scott Hamilton, and Harry Allen as his primary influences. Jack is a torchbearer for the great swing tenor-man and interpreters of the American Songbook, and will continue this focus when he moves back to New York City after completing his degree in 2020. As a leader and a sideman Jack has performed with James Chirillo, Harry Allen, Randy Napoleon, Konrad Pazskudzki, Neal Miner, Maucha Adnet, Dudaka Da Fonseca, Paul Keller, Mike Karn, and was most recently featured playing with John Pizzarelli on his radio show, Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli.

Jack fell in love with jazz at an early age. During his time at LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts he studied intimately the music of The Great American Songbook under the mentorship of musician and teacher Kevin Blancq. As a member of Jazz at Lincoln Centers Youth Big Band, Jack studied and worked with saxophonists Ted Nash and Melissa Aldana, and studied privately with saxophonist Dan Block. Jack also formed a relationship with saxophone giant Harry Allen, who is still one of his main mentors and influences.

Jack chose Michigan State Universitys renowned Jazz Studies Program, led my Rodney Whitaker, to study with saxophonist Diego Rivera. He has played in jazz orchestras directed by Entienne Charles and Micheal Dease, and has performed with Randy Napoleon and the Bass King of Michigan, Paul Keller. Jack regularly plays throughout Michigan with his jazz trio.