Indianapolis-based saxophonist, Amanda Gardier, is emerging as a bandleader with her debut album, “Empathy.” The album features a spectrum of original music by Gardier, whose compositions are influenced by the music of Miguel Zenon, the Bad Plus, Walter Smith III, and Bjork. “Empathy” shines a spotlight on a new creative voice within the Indianapolis jazz scene, “you won’t overlook [the] skills for the talents of alto saxophone player Amanda Gardier” (David Lindquist, Indianapolis Star).

Amanda Gardier – saxophone
Charlie Ballantine – guitar
Jesse Wittman – bass
Carrington Clinton – drums
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Bio
Jazz saxophonist, woodwind specialist, and music educator Amanda Gardier is based out of Indianapolis, IN, where she performs regularly as a bandleader, a session musician, pit musician, and sideman. Amanda is a frequent performer at notable venues including The Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis), Andy’s Jazz Club (Chicago), Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre (Carmel), and the Chatterbox (Indianapolis). She has performed at a variety of festivals including the Indianapolis Jazz Festival, Bloomington Jazz Festival, Penrod Art Festival, Fountain Square Music Festival, and more. Amanda performed for the Walt Disney Company as a member of the 2012 Disneyland All-American College Band. She has also performed for Holland-America Cruise Lines, Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Cardinal Stage Company, and Wood & Rodin Music Production. Throughout her career, Amanda has performed with Ingrid Jensen, Dave Stryker, Leni Stern, Wayne Wallace, Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Jamie Baum, Tom Garling, Rosa Avila, Sal Lozano, and the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra.