Glenn Cashman is bi-coastal, dividing his time between Colgate University and Southern California. A visible presence on the SoCal jazz scene, the saxophonist/composer leads a nonet, big band, quartet, and as an organist, fronts a trio. “I’ve Got Your Rhythm” his first CD as a leader, placed him in the company of jazz luminaries Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond and Ben Riley. As tenor saxophonist with Luther Hughes & the Cannonball-Coltrane Project, Cashman performed on/composed for the group’s four highly touted CD projects. LA Pianist Tom Ranier and Glenn collaborated on an intimate duo CD, “Blue In Green” and co-led an engaging sextet project “Bright Idea,” also showcasing Bob McChesney, Bob Sheppard, Luther Hughes and Kendall Kay. From 2005-17, Glenn served as Founding Artistic Director of the Muckenthaler Jazz Festival, a six-event summer series held in Fullerton, CA.
Recent highlights include five trips to Japan to perform and teach, a live CD recording with drummer Paul Kreibich’s “Thank You Elvin” project (2018) at the famous Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach, CA with fellow saxophonists Doug Webb, Jeff Ellwood and bassist Chris Colangelo. In 2015, Glenn recorded as tenor saxophonist for the debut release of Bill Warfield’s NYC based “Hell’s Kitchen Funk Orchestra.”
Glenn Cashman & the Southland Big Band resemble not so much the historic ensembles listed above, but rather a group in which the composer made a point of writing for his individual soloists and giving them space to play; a band such as, say, Duke Ellington’s orchestra. Is there a higher compliment than that comparison?...
- William Ruhlmann, JAZZTIMES
Cashman's Southland Nonet is a world-class ensemble producing the kind of music that no borders will hold. Melodic, catchy, hot and scintillating, Music Without Borders is bound to resonate around the globe.
- Edward Blanco, ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM
Cashman starts his Trane Remembered with a muscular soliloquy that sets the mood for a lovely ballad. Infused with a blues connotation, the piece highlights the tenor saxophonist's Trane influence. Deep, mesmerizing strings of linked phrases flow from the horn with fluid ease.
- Jim Santella, ALL ABOUT JAZZ.COM
Degree
BS, Towson University, 1980; MA, University of Memphis, 1982; DMA, University of Maryland, 1999
Teaching Experience
Director of Jazz Studies at California State University, Fullerton, Director of Jazz Studies at Towson University, & presentations at:
St. Petersburg Conservatory (Russia), Jazz Camp Nagano (Japan), International Association of Jazz Educators Conference (FL), Saddleback College (CA), New York State School Music Association Conference (NY), Elon University (NC), Eastman School of Music (NY), Concordia University (CA), Maryland Music Educators Association
Specialties
Jazz improvisation, jazz ensemble, saxophone, composition/arranging, jazz organ
Interests
Music of Brazil, John Coltrane, Japan
Publications
Selected recordings as leader or co-leader playing saxophone: - “Glenn Cashman’s Southland Nonet – Music Without Borders,” Primrose Lane Music/MuckJazz 2013
- "Glenn Cashman & the Southland Big Band," Primrose Lane Music, 2009
- "Bright Idea," Tom Ranier-Glenn Cashman Sextet, Primrose Lane Music, 2007
- "Blue In Green," Tom Ranier & Glenn Cashman, Primrose Lane Music, 2004
- "I've Got Your Rhythm," Glenn Cashman w/Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, Ben Riley, Indigo Records 2003
Selected recordings as a sideman:
- "Spectacular," Luther Hughes & the Cannonball-Coltrane Project, Primrose Lane Music, 2008
- "Little Misunderstood," Sheryl Bailey, Oasis, 2005
- "Stolen Moments," Gap Mangione Big Band, Gap Mangione, 2003
- "Adios Plaza," Hideaki Tokunaga, Music Sweethearts, 2002 (DVD)
Published Music, Big Band & Nonet
Eleven works written/recorded by Glenn Cashman with his Southland Big Band & Southland Nonet
published by Walrus Music/e-jazzlines, Saratoga Springs, NY
Dissertation
"American Dream for Wind Quintet," University of Maryland, College Park, 1999
Robert Gibson, dissertation adviser
Professional Experience
- 1st solo CD recorded with Kenny Barron, Ray Drummond, Ben Riley
- Performances with Dennis Chambers, Claudio Roditi, Gary Foster, Andy Martin, Les Hooper Big Band, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Ron Eschete, Gene Perla, Carl Saunders, Mike Wofford, Mike Barone Big Band, Steve Huffsteter Big Band, Paul Bollenbeck, Holly Hofmann, Drew Gress and many others
- Performances across the US, in Sweden, Germany, Australia, Russia, Japan
- Numerous directing experiences with all-state jazz ensembles, festival adjudications, and internationally as a clinician
Distinctions
- Music Without Borders (MWB) CD cited by JazzTimes as a top 50 jazz release of 2013 by writer Scott Albin
- International Association of Jazz Educators Journal Blue Chip Award in 1999 & 1996 under "Top Campus" jazz ensemble CDs, Towson University Jazz Ensemble
- Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award in Jazz Composition (1997) and Jazz Performance (1994)
- Contributing Writer/Arranger/Performer for "Music and You" published by Macmillan Co. (1991)
- FIRST PLACE, 5th Annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest Pop category winner for “Baby, I Want You Back” (Lyrics by Deborah Brown)