Anders played all saxophones, with the occasional clarinet, and began his musical journey by taking piano lessons, singing in church choirs, and playing the piano in school bands. Anders graduated in 1991 from Luther College. In 1994, he received his Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Anders was in the middle of the 1990s studying with Frank Morgan, while Frank lived in Milwaukee. “Frank taught me everything about the saxophone, especially the importance of sound.” Another key component to Anders’ post-graduate education was his meetings with multi-instrumentalist and composer Roscoe Mitchell. Roscoe Mitchell has been a part of Anders’ music since 2001. They have recorded and played in many settings, from small ensembles to larger groups. Anders is a member the Transatlantic Art Ensemble, the Roscoe Mitchel Big Band, and a guest with Roscoe’s Note Factory. He has performed with a number of musicians including Evan Parker, Corey Wilkes and Nils Bultmann. Anders has performed with the Cab Calloway Orchestra and Jon Irabagon, as well as The Cab Calloway Orchestra, Greg Abate and Jon Irabagon’s award-winning Tony Castaneda Latin Jazz Sextet. The Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University published Anders’ book on Sonny Red bebop jazz saxophonist in 2007. The book contains transcriptions, a discography and an oral history that includes interviews with: Curtis Fuller and Tommy Flanagan, Frank Foster and Charles McPherson. Anders is currently teaching at Beloit College saxophone, and the Improvisation Ensemble. from http://anderssvanoemusic.com
