Jazz Saxophone
About Me
Natalie Scharf possesses a unique blend of equal parts musician and educator, and has etched out successful careers in both fields, at a relatively young age. One of the busiest working saxophonists in Chicago, Natalie can be heard nearly any night of the week with a varied array of professional ensembles.
Specializing in early jazz, swing, and bebop, she is a regular member of the Chicago Cellar Boys, Paul Asaro and His Rhythm, Mulligan Mosaics Big Band, The Heritage Jazz Orchestra, and the Jazz Union. Natalie has made appearances at numerous jazz festivals across the country, recorded studio work aired on national television, done musical theater pit work, and appears regularly as a musical guest on the long-running TV show Svengoolie. She is also in demand as a composer and arranger.
Pedagogically, Natalie has a degree from Northern Illinois University in Music Education, and taught middle school band for ten years before retiring to be a full-time musician. Before Roosevelt, she was also adjunct at Elgin Community College and has had hundreds of private students of all ages, and abilities.