The SJO Saxophone Section

Rick Tardif - Lead Alto - President
SJO Member Since 1975

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 Member Since 1990

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 Member Since 2005

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 is currently the band director at Spalding High School. He's married to Emily and father of their little girl, Morgan. Reed 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.

Scott Lampert - Second Tenor
SJO Member Since 2010

Scott Lampert was born in Philadelphia and wisely chose to work his musical chops by playing in all the school musical organizations (band, marching band, orchestra,etc) in junior high and high school, plus the "All Philadelphia Band” in junior and senior high school.

In order to round out his musical career he chose to enhance his curriculum vitae by attending the University of Pennsylvania 1966-1970 (BA in biology). Scott sauntered over to Jefferson Medical College 1970-1974 to obtain his MD. Scott then came to Atlanta in 1974 as an intern for Grady Hospital. The doctor then did his ophthalmology and retina training back in Philly 1976-1980 at Jefferson Medical College, Wills Eye Hospital, and University of Pennsylvania.

To support his musical habit, Scott began a private retina practice in Atlanta in 1980. Scott is a Founding Partner of Georgia Retina (currently a partnership with 9 MD's); a past Clinical Assistant Professor of the faculty of Emory for 20 years.

Once past these minor interruptions of life and career, Scott went back to music with the Callanwolde Concert Band in 1980 and currently holds the position of first-chair sax. SJO’s charter Sax and full time MD, Doctor Dave Smiley made the recommendations for Scott to join Callanwolde at that time.

Our charter member and always wise Doc Smiley made the recommendation for Scott to fill his sax seat of 35 years upon his retirement from the SJO in 2010.

Scott married Judy, whom he met at Crawford Long Hospital and began a family with three children.

David Lester - Baritone
SJO Member Since 1982

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.