About Anjan
Anjan's musical career started when he received his Bachelor of Applied Saxophone from Michigan State University. He then went on to the University of Illinois to obtain his Master of Music degree but left before finishing his coursework upon winning a position in the US Army Field Band. During his five years with the band, Anjan served as the tenor saxophonist and became a notable soloist, performing in over 670 concerts. Additionally, he led numerous clinics and master classes, sharing his expertise across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
After leaving the Army, Anjan worked with such musical luminaries as Phil Woods, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Linda Ronstadt, Seth MacFarlane, Jeff Tyzik, Marvin Hamlisch, Maureen McGovern, Michael Feinstein, Wynonna Judd, Ann Hampton Callaway, Sandy Duncan, Peter Nero, Jack Jones and the Jimmy & Tommy Dorsey orchestras.
He has toured with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on a US tour and he performs regularly with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and toured with the orchestra through Spain, Italy, Slovenia and Austria.
As a founding member of the Capitol Quartet, Anjan and the members of this critically acclaimed saxophone quartet performed regularly with major orchestras throughout the United States, including the Cincinnati Pops, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Grand Rapids symphonies, Rochester & Erie philharmonics, and Long Beach, Springfield and Bay-Atlantic symphonies, among others.
The quartet's three recordings, "American Sketches", "Anything Goes" and “DIG” earned high critical praise, leading American Record Guide to characterize Capitol Quartet as "...an ensemble that plays with luscious color and uninhibited verve."
Recently Anjan collaborated with Conductor Andrew Constantine to bring to life Sir Richard Rodney Bennett’s Concerto for Stan Getz.an Getz
Anjan’s newest project Rhapsody in राग जोग (Raag Jog) was conceived as a way of giving expression to Anjan’s Indian ancestry and personally reconciling, his own musical cultures of western classical & jazz and eastern Hindustani. As a first-generation American born in 1966 in Michigan, Anjan struggled as a child to 'fit in' and be accepted as the person he is, a proud American and a son of his ancestral land - India. In a very real sense, this work represents the true dimensions of who he is as both a person and a musician.
Rhapsody in राग जोग (Raag Jog) is a 22-minute original work by Drew Zaremba that is rhapsodic in form and features the bansuri flute/tenor saxophone, guitar, tabla, bass and orchestral strings. The composition brings together 4 major ideas: improvisation, a fusion of western & eastern music, diversity & inclusion, and a personal journey of cultural acceptance through music.
"I have been so fortunate to benefit from so many rich and diverse musical experiences and hope that this fusion of Indian sounds and melodies with jazz will inspire you to reflect on the particular influences which have shaped your own appreciation for music and serve to motivate you to explore new expressions wherever they might lead. This, in the purest sense, is an artistic endeavor,” states soloist Anjan Shah. "This is a tribute to my father, Girish Shah, who first inspired me to explore and embrace the music of India and I know he would be so delighted by this very special work and the cherished traditions it represents."
Anjan combined his love of music with an MBA from Loyola University of Maryland. He has worked in the marketing department of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and led marketing teams for Music & Arts, a division of Guitar Center and IKEA of North America (no they don’t have a music department). He has been a marketing consultant for the Yamaha Corporation of America, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, North American Saxophone Alliance, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Maryland Music Educators Association, Summit Records and Arizona University Recordings. And numerous music retailers across the country.
Anjan lives in Baltimore, MD with his wife, daughter and 3-legged cat.
