By Shannon Neu, Staff Writer

Published on Mar. 17, 2015

Whether he is performing on the saxophone at Tate Street Coffee or creating his own musical compositions, Will England is known for going above and beyond and expressing himself through his captivating sense of creativity and diverse musicianship.

England is a junior in UNCG’s Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program. “It has given me lots and lots of opportunities to perform music and write music,” England said about his experience thus far in the program.

He cited Chad Eby, the jazz program’s saxophone professor, as an important influence on his career in music. England stated that through the program and through Eby’s style of teaching, he has learned that playing music is “about understanding a sound at its core.”

“When you go to use a sound in a solo you play, it’s something you grasp with your ears. It’s not just something your fingers can do. It’s something you actually believe in,” England said.

Matt Adams, England’s private saxophone teacher from sixth through twelfth grade, is another teacher who has been a major influence in England’s life. He taught England everything from scales to solo transposition.

England explained that when he transcribed his first solo, Cannonball Adderly’s solo from “Autumn Leaves,” he realized that he was capable of much more than he had ever imagined.

“Beyond music he was also definitely a role model to me— a person that I would like to be like,” England revealed.

“I feel a stronger connection with people musically,” he continued, “if I feel that kind of human connection with them and look up to them as a really good person.”

England realized he wanted to pursue a musical career when he toured and performed in schools throughout Lima, Peru with the Columbus Jazz Youth Orchestra. He had the opportunity to work with and listen to saxophonist Wessell Anderson during the voyage.

“After that, I started to understand how to play jazz better and I felt more of a personal connection to it,” England explained.

While England has a love for performing, he also has a deep passion for composing music.

“When I write something, that feeling of having it played is like nothing else. It’s like Christmas times a thousand,” he said. “It’s just amazing to hear all of your work and feelings that went into it just reproduced, and some of it is working and some of it’s not working. It’s just a wonderful experience.”

England’s parents introduced him to a wide variety of musical styles from a young age. His understanding and appreciation for many genres of music shines through in his compositions.

When it comes to classical music, especially, Will added, “I feel such a direct emotional connection to classical music that I don’t feel in the same way that I do with other types of music.”

He went on to explain that he hopes to create music that combines the different styles of music that move him. “I definitely hope to be able to bring all of my interests together someday in the music I write,” England asserted. 

An experience England considers to be incredibly influential was a recital he participated in last semester in which members of the jazz program performed pieces composed by students.

“I had felt like I had written something that really was a true expression of feelings and experiences that were very important to me,” he described.

“That feeling of expressing that,” England said, “and sharing it with multiple people listening and with the band was something I’ll never forget. That experience has given me this resolve to pursue my career even more.”

Later this semester, England is giving a recital that will feature some of his favorite music as well as an original composition. Performers in the recital will play in a jazz quartet format.

“I’m really excited about this one because I definitely feel like each and every selection that I’ve chosen for my recital is something I have an emotional connection to,” he shared.

England excitedly described other upcoming projects and performances he is working on, including an arrangement of the piece “Compassion for All,” for a concert performed by Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra, which will honor the late jazz pianist and composer, Mark Flugge.

He is also looking forward to the Miles Davis Jazz Studies Program’s Festival Concert in April, which will feature actress and vocalist Molly Ringwald. The concert will feature some of England’s arrangements.

England has a lengthy list of incredible individuals who have inspired his work, including Tchaikovsy, Sibelius, Vaughn Williams, Liszt, Delius, Debussy, Ravel, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff, Elgar, Strayhorn, Coltrane, Jobim, Scriabin, Howard Shore, Chesnokov and Joni Mitchell.

He also cited Brandon Lee, the jazz program’s trumpet professor, as an inspirational performer.

“I want to compose my own music that expresses things that are important to me. I would love to be able to conduct that music and bring together different influences and styles that I love,” England said about his goals for his musical career. He also hopes to continue performing on the saxophone.

“I feel so fortunate to be a musician and to have found really profound experiences in listening to music and appreciating it,” England reflected.