James Romeo - Director of Music:
James Romeo is a full Professor of Music at San Diego Mesa College where he directs the award-winning concert Jaxx Ensemble and the Mesa College Pep Band. His other duties include classes in jazz History and World Music, plus he instructs all saxophone majors. Before coming to Mesa College, Professor Romeo was Assistant Director of bands and Professor of Saxophone at California State University, Fullerton and the University of Akron, Ohio.Currently he is a saxophonist with the San Diego Symphony. He has also played with the Cleveland Winds, New York City Ballet, and the New York Chamber Orchestra. He has appeared as a participant and soloist in three World Saxophone Symposiums and numerous national and regional events.
He has numerous compositions written for him to perform on the saxophone, including the latest premiere, 'Harry Semantix' by Igor Korneitchouk, which he performed at Lincoln Center with the New York Chamber Orchestra in March 2000.
He has played with or under Arthur Fiedler, Robert Shew, Frederick Fennel, Bob Hope, Louis Bellson, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Bobby Shaw, Bill Watrus, Gary Foster, The Temptations, the Four Tops, and many other high profile musicians and entertainers.