New York-based saxophonist and composer Sam Newsome works primarily in the medium of solo saxophone, an approach for which he gained worldwide critical acclaim. Many of the notes and sounds that comprise his compositions and improvisations are derived from his own personal sound palette of extended techniques. Newsome sees himself more along the lines of a visual artist who paints with notes and sounds rather than shapes and colors. “My music, “says Newsome, is a type of improvisatory art music in which jazz functions more as a resource than a musical genre to be interpreted with stylistic specificity. As a performer, Newsome often performs solo saxophone concerts around New York and across the country as well as leading his own trio with bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Reggie Nicholson. He is a frequent collaborator with Andrew Cyrille, Fay Victor, Jean-Michel Pilc, David Liebman, and pianist Ethan Iverson. Newsome is also an associate professor of music at the Brooklyn campus of Long Island University, where he is the music program coordinator, and teaches courses in jazz improvisation, music theory, and directs the University’s jazz ensemble.