Saxophonist, recording artist, and composer Amanda Gardier has been described as “a uniquely talented jazz composer and soloist” (Nuvo). With influences stemming from Miguel Zenon, The Bad Plus, Walter Smith III, and Bjork, Gardier is an alto saxophonist who juxtaposes the calmness of lush harmonies and cyclical melodies with the intensity of complex rhythms and fiery improvisation. Her first release with Green Mind Records, Empathy, was “a debut with a lot of something for everyone” (All About Jazz). Comprised of an eclectic collection of original music, Empathy revealed Gardier’s refined compositional sense and lyrical tone. With her second release, Flyover Country, Gardier “claims a space among rising saxophonists” (Downbeat) through the display of bold compositions and flexible improvisation.

 

Amanda has performed at notable venues and music festivals across North America, including The Jazz Kitchen (Indianapolis), Andy's Jazz Club (Chicago), Cliff Bell's (Detroit), The Jazz Estate (Milwaukee), Kerrytown Concert House (Ann Arbor), Palladium (Carmel), Indianapolis Jazz Festival, Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, Elkhart Jazz Festival, Fountain Square Music Festival, and more. She has also performed for the Walt Disney Company, 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, Wes "Warmdaddy" Anderson, Jamie Baum, Sal Lozano, and has been a featured performer on all four releases by the Charlie Ballantine Group--Life is Brief: The Music of Bob Dylan (2018), Where is My Mind? (2017), Providence (2016), and Green (2015). Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University. Amanda is the Instructor of Jazz Saxophone at Ball State University in Muncie, IN.