The SJO Saxophone Section

Rick Tardif - Lead Alto
SJO TENURE: 31 YEARS.

Biddeford, Maine is the birthplace of our highly valued Lead Alto player. In addition to his authoritative lead playing, Rick "kicks off" every tune during performances, and is also the semi-official Receiver-of-Requests from our audiences.

He attended St. Thomas University in Fredericton, N.B., Canada where he earned his BA in Philosophy. He continued his education at Georgia State University where he earned his Master of Education in Counseling and Psychological Services. From 1965 to 1968, Rick played alto with "The Thomists" dance band at St. Thomas University.

Rick is also one of the original members of the Sentimental Journey Orchestra. He spent his days working for the State of Georgia as an IS Manager, but is now newly and happily retired! He can often be found on the net browsing through technical and music sites.

David R. Olson - Second Alto
SJO TENURE:15 YEARS.

David (the most recent of our "Three Davids") first saw the light of day in Logan, Utah. He graduated from Sky View High School in 1973 and attended Utah State University where he played Lead Alto in the USU Jazz Ensemble. He also found time to graduate from USU with a BS in Mathematics (1975) and an MS in Applied Statistics (1978).

He came to Atlanta in 1984 with a doctorate in Statistics from Texas A&M University and began work with the internationally known Centers for Disease Control. David and his wife Beverly have, according to him, "just five children." In 1985 David discovered, and joined, the Callanwolde Concert Band. Our fearless leader, Henry Mason, was and is Personnel Manager for the CCB also, so... when, in 1990, we found ourselves in need of an Alto Sax player he didn't have to look far! David agreed to join us and has been with the SJO ever since, performing competently and flawlessly on alto sax and clarinet.

Reed Lukat - Lead Tenor
SJO TENURE: 2 YEARS

Reed, our newest member, grew up in South Atlanta where he graduated from Morrow High School. He attended Loyola University in New Orleans and graduated with a degree in Jazz Performance.

He worked as a professional musician in the Atlanta area during High school and also during his four years in New Orleans. He's performed with some of the jazz world's best known players, including Jason Marsallis, Brian Blade, Marvin Stamm, Bob Shepard, Steve Turre, and Charmaine Neville, among others. He's played at the top jazz clubs in New Orleans as well as several performances at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and Festival International.

Reed currently teaches Band and Chorus at A.Z. Kelsey Middle School in Griffin, GA. He's married (Emily) and is an avid music collector with well over 1500 recordings. He's also a dedicated restorer of music from all media. His non-musical interests include building fine finish furniture and other woodworking endeavors, as well as golfing, pool, and cycling.

We know you'll love Reed's playing as much as we do!

David Smiley - Second Tenor
SJO TENURE: 31 YEARS.

The first of our "Three Davids," this recently retired Otolaryngologist (and SJO's unofficial band physician), holds down the Second Tenor chair, and has done so since the second year of our existence. He was born in New York City but has been an Atlantan since before his first birthday.

He received a Biology degree from Emory University and his M. D. from the Medical College of Georgia and even served as an instructor at Emory University's Medical School. He played in Atlanta's O'Keefe Junior High, and Boy's High School bands and in a ten-piece dance combo. In addition to being Secretary of SJO, Inc., he is Past President of the Callanwolde Concert Band in which he plays tenor saxophone.

David is married to a noted gourmet cook, Gloria, and they have six children and 10 grandchildren.

David Lester - Baritone
SJO TENURE: 23 YEARS.

The Baritone Saxophone chair is more than competently covered by this native Atlantan (the second of our "Three David's") and graduate of Therrel High School and the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. He provides a big, fat, rich "bottom" sound to our sax section. He plays all the reeds and subs in other chairs when the need arises.

David also acts as our musical equipment "quartermaster," supplying reeds, mutes, drum equipment or whatever is required. David played in Georgia's "Redcoat Band" and is a former band director in North Georgia and Fulton County. He is a school band and orchestra professional with the music retail store Ken Stanton Music, Marietta. Georgia. He is married and has two sons.