Active in the flourishing New England jazz scene for more than 20 years, Richard Gardzina is a native of Manchester, New Hampshire, who has also had the pleasure of performing in the Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco areas, with such artists as Red Garland, David "Fathead" Newman, James Clay, Frank Rosalino, Mark Johnson, Rebecca Parris, and Little Feat. For his two CDs - "Play This" and "Imaginings" - Gardzina composed all but one piece and wrote the arrangements.His latest CD, "Where Words Do Not Go" features 5 originals and 4 standards including the enchanting Tennessee Waltz. The recording was captured one Sunday afternoon/evening mostly in 1 take. "A pretty organic album". He is featured on tenor and soprano saxophones and alto flute. A master of improvisation, Gardzina brings his experience with a variety of styles and groups to his performances and compositions. Gardzina earned his B.A. in Music at North Texas State University and an M.A. in Music Composition at the University of New Hampshire. In addition to performing, Gardzina also teaches saxophone, flute, improvisation, composition, arranging, and recording at New England College, College for Life Long Learning, and the Concord Community Music School all in New Hampshire. Richard composes music for dance and video companies, and serves as music director for Moving & Learning, a company specializing in movement education for children. Praise for Imaginings: "[Imaginings] is a clear and focused album with dramatic arrangements. Really nice." -Tiger Okoshi "I really enjoyed [Imaginings], especially Richard's version of Harlem Nocturne. It stands out because he does not perform this standard of the 'blues' tenor man as a histrionic tour de force. Richard plays this song in a beautiful low key that reminds you it is a very beautiful song and doesn't need any extra drama. As Dr. John says, it is 'commerciable' and has great radio air play potential." -Fred Tackett of Little Feat "A truly beautiful and inspiring album with something for everyone. Imaginings feeds the mind, the heart, and the soul with memorable compositions that play with each emotion as though they, too, were instruments. Imaginings is an honest representation of contemporary jazz at its best." -Rick Considine, Professor, Berklee College of Music "Your music is like a cloud vapor coming into existence from vapors taking shape, changing form, then disappearing. It is subtle." -Michael Lemire, music critic, fan