Will Holton
Friday, August 23, 2024 - 7:45 pm - 9:15 pm
Frontier House Stage
His God-given talents on the saxophone have led him on a journey from part-time musician to opening act to headlining marquee performer and life-coach for students.
For the past 12 years, Buffalo, NY native Saxophonist Will Holton has showcased local and national talent with his different concert series (Love Cadenza, Night of Stars, Soulful Spring, Christmas to Remember, Generations, and Sax in The City).
With a deep passion for the success of the musician & singer community, Holton's concerts have showcased many of Buffalo's rising stars and have reintroduced some of the legends to a new audience. Together we can close the generational gap!
Wills intention is for these artists to see higher in themselves and surpass their own goals. Some of the performers have turned into influential, powerful mainstays in Buffalo, and others are currently touring the world.
Holton has shared the stage with many greats of the industry, such as Roy Ayers, Jon B., Tim Bowman, and Najee, to name a few…
As a B.M.I. Music Publisher, he has written songs for two different Grammy-Nominated Albums which have had great success debuting at both #1 and #2 on the contemporary jazz billboard charts for Smooth Jazz Pioneer Saxophonist - Najee.
Holton's breakout debut album Always (2009) showcased his chops as a consummate jazz musician and composer.
The 2011 follow-up Love Stories Untold Vol.1 was an eclectic blend of originals and renditions of popular songs in and outside the genre.
A highlight of Holton's career was being featured on the inside cover of industry trade Downbeat Magazine in their January 2015 issue as a saxophone artist of Eastman Music Company.
Holton has a big passion for the youth and continues to volunteer his time, talent, charisma to area students, charities, and organizations.
In 2011 he launched his very own "Reach Out And Lift Up" program, "It's about inspiring the youth to go after their dreams despite obstacles such as peer pressure and bullying."
"Living the Dream" is what he imparts when he talks about "Taking the little successes as they add up to bigger successes."
He's worked in partnership with various organizations through the D.A.R.E. program, National Inner Cities Opportunities Youth Opportunities Inc., and the Young Miss Buffalo Scholarship Program, to name just a few.
As a performer, he's donated his talents for worthy causes such as The March Of Dimes, The American Cancer Society, and Patty Poretti Foundation.
Also, being a survivor of congenital heart defects, Holton (now 40) donates partial monetary profits from his annual Love Cadenza concert series to aid the American Heart Association Buffalo Chapter in research.
"Perseverance, dedication, giving back, and commitment are some of the keys to my success, but I'm truly blessed, and I believe its simply purpose by design."
