About

Don Aliquo is a celebrated Nashville-based saxophonist, composer, and professor.

Born into a musical legacy in Pittsburgh, Aliquo was mentored from an early age by his father, noted saxophonist, Don Aliquo, Sr.  Aliquo studied at Berklee College of Music, and Duquesne University and began forging his own path playing alongside Pittsburgh musicians Jeff Watts, Dwayne Dolphin and David Budway. As a member of the Roger Humphries Quintet, he performed with greats including Eddie Harris, George Benson, and Stanley Turrentine. As a young saxophonist, Aliquo also performed as lead alto for the Tommy Dorsey Band, and baritone for the Buddy Rich Band.    

His career includes high-profile recordings and collaborations with icons such as Gary Burton, Rufus Reid, Greg Osby, Jim McNeely, Harold Danko, Roger Humphries, Beegie Adair, and Clay Jenkins. Among his seven solo CDs are “Sun and Shield” with Jim McNeely, Rufus Reid and Obed Calvaire and the “The Innocence of Spring, Live at Hinton Hall”, with longtime collaborator, pianist Michael Jefry Stevens. Aliquo appears as a guest artist on numerous recordings, including recent releases by Desmond Ng, Socrates Garcia Big Band, and Ryan Middagh Orchestra.

As a globally sought-after educator and Professor of Saxophone at Middle Tennessee State University, Aliquo has inspired students and audiences not only at home, but also abroad— with masterclasses and performances at the Wuhan Conservatory in China, the Conservatori Superior de Música in Valencia, Spain, as well as in Medellin, and Pereira, Colombia, as part of the Promising Artists of the 21st Century Jazz Program.

With his latest release, “Growth” (Ear Up Records), he continues to push the boundaries of modern jazz, showcasing eight edgy original compositions performed by two distinct piano-less quartets. “Growth” highlights Aliquo's evolving voice as both a composer and a virtuoso soloist on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet.

Whether composing, recording, teaching, performing in an intimate jazz club, or leading international masterclasses, Don Aliquo is a singular force in American jazz.

Electronic Press Kit

  • “Those whose appetites clamor for daring enterprises that lean toward modernism without eschewing tradition may find that Growth embodies precisely the proper ingredients to appease their hunger.”

    — Jack Bowers of the magazine All About Jazz, wrote of “Growth”

  • “If one album could increase the tenor saxophonist’s reputation as a strong performer, album number eight, Growth, offers plenty of reasons. “Growth” reminds us that it's still possible to have fun listening to challenging and adventurous music.”

    — Mike Shanley of the magazine Jazz Times in his review of “Growth”

  • “Aliquo's extremely supple in the addressing of his axe but always zeroed in on what he's describing, not just re: impressive chops qua chops, and Jenkins is complementary to a very high degree. His full-throated tenor exhibits hints of both Joe Henderson and late period Stan Getz Don Aliquo’s playing has been described as “smooth as silk...with an unfailing feel for breath and phrasing" while extremely supple in the addressing of his axe but always zeroed in on what he's describing.”

    —Larry Hollis of Cadence Magazine

Don Aliquo Set Up