Saxophonist Eddie Akhmetchine came to the U.S.A. from Russia on a music contract in 1993. In 1994, he received a full scholarship to go to the Clark Terry International Institute of Jazz Studies. During the years at the institute he received numerous awards at the Chicago, Kansas, and St.Louis Jazz Festivals. In the summer of 1996, Eddie played in the Clark Terry Big Band alongside members of Count Basie's band. He moved to Houston in 1999 and continues to play the top jazz musicians in the city, including the Jazz Brunch at Brennan’s every Sunday.
Eddie has performed at such known venues as Cezanne's jazz club, Sambuca jazz cafe, the HobbyCenter, Wortham Theater, GeorgeR.BrownConvention Center, and the FineArtsMuseum. Eddie teaches saxophone at KatyHigh School and TaylorHigh School.
Eddie performs as part of a quartet that includes guitar, bass, and drums. The repertoire includes songs made famous by Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz and other jazz greats.
Here's a few of Eddie's Favorite Songs to Play:
Girl from Ipanema Fly Me to the Moon New York, New York Blue Moon Black Orpheus 'Round Midnight Satin Doll My Funny Valentine Misty Autumn Leaves How High the Moon In a Mellow Tone It Don't Mean a Thing In a Sentimental Mood Green Dolphin Street Lullaby of Birdland Meditation My One and Only Love My Romance Darn that Dream Night and Day One Note Samba Once I Loved Out of Nowhere Shadow of Your Smile Someday My Prince Will Come Stella by Starlight Stompin' at the Savoy Take Five There is No Greater Love When I Fall in Love Wave You are the Sunshine of My Life Georgia Alice in Wonderland Beautiful Love Alone Together Body and Soul The Days of Wine and Roses Don't Blame Me Saint Thomas Secret Love Sunny Side of the Street Tea for Two That's All Unforgettable Watermelon Man Don't Get Around Much Anymore East of the Sun Everything Happens to Me Gone With The Wind I Left My Heart in San Francisco Moonlight in Vermont Over the Rainbow
