Welcome
I've been making some wonderful music with Tamara McCoy around the state. I hope you can make a concert soon or get us scheduled for your area. Please get your tickets now.
Student saxophonists: I'll be teaching a free group saxophone lesson periodically so please come to this concert at UAA and email me if you'd like to be a part of the group!
Beyond the Rainbow: Five Saxophones, Piano & Voice
From Mozart to jazz to Star Wars, join saxophonist Rick Zelinsky and pianist and vocalist Dr. Tamara McCoy for an evening of music that crosses genres and celebrates the expressive possibilities of the saxophone.
Rick will perform on five different saxophones, joined by Tamara at the piano and in song. The program features Mozart’s beautiful Oboe Concerto, reimagined for soprano saxophone; Ibert’s dazzling Concertino da Camera; Milhaud’s lively Scaramouche; and Schumann’s lyrical Fantasiestücke on baritone saxophone. You’ll also hear jazz favorites and the playful “Cantina Band” from Star Wars!
Saturday, November 14, 2026
7:30 p.m.
UAA Recital Hall
Tickets: $20 adults | $10 students
Come discover the many voices of the saxophone—and share a memorable evening of music with us!
This concert is sponsored in part by the Atwood Foundation and the Alaska State Council on the Arts.
And more projects are being worked on. Thank you for your support and especially to the Atwood Foundation and the Alaska State Council on the Arts.
Alaska Electronic Orchestra-new music for our community
“One of Rick’s latest creations is the Alaska Electronic Orchestra. The results are intriguing…jazz meets fusion meets house meets Brian Eno. It is an innovation well worth supporting. I for one am very interested in seeing where this takes him, … and us.” —Robert Sewell, radio host of “Take Five” a long-running weekly jazz show on Public Radio, Juneau, Alaska on KRNN.org
“Rick Zelinsky’s Alaska Electronic Orchestra series has been a vibrant and engaging addition to the Alaskan arts community. The collaboration with different artists lends to a fresh stream of fascinating musical compositions and performances, and parents have been thrilled that Rick invites their students to participate in the opening segments of the concerts.”
—Karl Pasch, Principal Clarinetist with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and owner of The Music Man
“I had the pleasure twice of going to Alaska electronic Orchestra concerts. Every time it was with a different lineup, except Rick Zeinsky on saxophones. It was always a very involving, great sounding show, with unexpected sonic gems, great improvisations, and very good lighting! You don’t want to miss it! I hope to see more of these shows this coming season.”
-Peter Ratner, owner and chief sound engineer of Peter Ratner Recording
“Performing with the Alaska Electronic Orchestra gave me a great opportunity to experience and perform in a new style of electronic vibe. It gave me enough of a taste that I would like to continue with it and make more great music. It was one of my best experiences of my life performing and collaborating with the Alaska Electronic Orchestra.”
-Lena Lukina, violist with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and solo artist
“I had the privilege of being the house sound and recording sound engineer for all but the final concert in the series. Because of my role, I was able to hear the evolution in complexity and accessibility of his original music as it was performed over time in solo presentation and in duets with viola, guitar, trumpet and reed flute. His use of electronic backing tracks mixed with natural sounds became more essential, and were refined to his compositions. To my knowledge, there is no one else exploring this as a compositional and improvisational jazz medium in Alaska.
Another essential part of each concert was what I came to consider “the opening act.” Rick invited his students to bring their instruments to each performance. He would invite the students to unpack their horns (trumpets, various size saxophones, and trombones are the instruments I remember), and he would lead them through an improvisational exercise with an electronic backing track accompanying them. It was fascinating to watch and hear the students begin cautiously, and then become more musically bold in their playing under his guidance.”
-Lucy Peckham, Owner & Head Sound Engineer at Both Ears Live Sound
“I have been an avid fan of Rick Zelinsky’s live jazz performances for many years. Rick and his bandmates are always utterly polished, professional, and musically exciting. Rick’s Alaska Electronic Orchestra concerts are particularly unique, creative and engaging; a great new offering in the local live music scene.”
David Hagen
Conductor
Alaska Chamber Singers
“Rick Zelinsky explores new sonic landscapes through the AEO series. It is especially gratifying to see him involve school age musicians to participate with him in the creative craft and concert experience.”
Mark Wolbers, DMA
UAA Emeritus Professor of Music
Conductor, Anchorage Community Concert Band
