Saxophonist Sunil Gadgil is best known as a prominent and active soloist, chamber musician, and teacher of the saxophone. He has been lauded as a “virtuosic” and “effortless” soloist, and his chamber music performances with the Bel Cuore Quartet have garnered nominations in recent seasons for “Best Classical Ensemble” and “Best Chamber Music Performance” by the Austin Critics Table. Gadgil frequently appears on stage as a member of the Zenith Quintet, the Bel Cuore Quartet, the Austin Saxophone Ensemble. His most recent project with pianist Carla McElhaney of REVEL Classical Band, Mixtape, revolutionizes the traditional concert presentation by immersing the audience in an uninterrupted flow of music around a chosen theme, creating a new way to experience music, poetry, and energy.
Gadgil’s solo sopranino, soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone playing can be heard on several CD releases on the Naxos, Crystal, and Longhorn Music labels: Over the Rainbow and Bach Again and Next Generation with Harvey Pittel and Tex Sax, Circus Maximus with Jerry Junkin and The University of Texas Wind Ensemble, and Sextour with Harvey Pittel and the Westwood Wind Quintet. Gadgil has commissioned and premiered pieces by some of the world’s foremost composers, including John Mackey, Donald Grantham, Dan Welcher, Steven Bryant, John Mills, Carter Pann, Steven Snowden, Luke Gullickson, Chris Ozley, Michael Mikulka, Christopher Stark, Nick Sibicky, and Erik Steighner.
Gadgil is also the Director of Sax Pro Workshops, which brings the Austin-area student saxophone community together with guest artist master classes and summer workshops designed to broaden and deepen students’ understanding of musicianship and the saxophone. In addition, he serves on the music faculty of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and coaches a studio of over fifty young students spread throughout the Austin area, helping them find joy and reach excellence through music.
Gadgil completed his doctoral and other degrees in music from The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music. When he is not performing, practicing, or teaching, Gadgil enjoys cooking, singing with his wife Kristin, and playing with his dogs Tashi and Maggie.