Anatoly Vapirov

b. 24 November 1947, Berdyansk, Ukraine. Vapirov studied clarinet at the Leningrad Conservatory and later became a professor of saxophone, pursuing parallel careers as an academic, classical saxophonist (with the Leningrad State Symphony Orchestra and the Kirov Opera and Ballet Theatre) and, increasingly, as a virtuoso jazz performer. Initially working with the jazz rock Music-Hall Orchestra in the late 60s, Vapirov rapidly broadened his repertoire to include all styles of jazz, from big band swing to the borders of free-form and contemporary composition. By the early 80s he h...