E.J. Hughes and Friends Classic Quartet

E.J. Hughes is a professional saxophonist and woodwind instructor with over 35 years of performing and teaching experience. He was awarded a tuition scholarship to Valdosta State University, where he attended from 1989 to 1993, earning a degree in saxophone and clarinet performance with a primary focus on classical music and repertoire. E.J. later earned a Master’s Degree in Jazz Pedagogy from Georgia State University in 2003 after living in New York City and Orlando. During this time, he studied privately with several notable artists, gathering valuable insights into jazz saxophone sound, technique, and harmony while teaching, and performing.

Starting professional level gigs at 18, the now 53-year-old saxophonist has performed a variety of gigs spanning four decades. His career highlights include playing with The Temptations at 19,  the Sam Rivers RivBea Orchestra in his late 20s, Grammy winner: Speech (Arrested Development) in his 30s and Jennifer Holiday (Dream Girls) in his 40s. Additionally, he has performed with numerous professional bands while residing in New York, Orlando, Atlanta, and Singapore.

E.J. has joined local and international artists on stage for Esplanade’s Jazz in July in Singapore the past three years and was the first guest artist clinician for D’Jazz in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2024. He also recorded a swing-era clarinet solo for Miss Lou Peixin and Daniel Chia for the Singapore Mediacorp’s production of The Last Bout. He has performed at notable Singapore venues including Maduro, Blujaz, Cool Cats, Simply Jazz, DBS Foundation Outdoor Theater at Esplanade and Level 55 at MBS.

E.J. Hughes is a JodyJazz ™ saxophone mouthpieces artist and an artist endorser with Saxophone maker P. Mauriat ™

He has two recorded albums available on all major digital platforms.