Kyle Madsen is an up and coming saxophonist, wind player, composer, and leader in the ever growing and developing Chicago music scene. Specializing in saxophone, flute and clarinet, Kyle studies at Chicago College of Performing Arts with Jim Gailloreto, and performs around the city for various bands, functions and events. His major influnces include giants such as Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, and Joe Henderson, as well as more contemporary artists like Michael Brecker, Seamus Blake, and Chris Potter.
Born in New York and raised in Las Vegas, Kyle was raised in a highly musical family and was exposed to a variety of different genres and global styles at a young age by his father, who was a stage manger for Rock bands around the world.
At age 14, Kyle was accepted into the Las Vegas Academy for International Studies and Visual, Performing Arts as a Jazz Major. In 4 years as a Jazz major on saxophone, Kyle performed with artists such as Randy Brecker, Nat Reeves, Leon Ndugu Chancellor, Laura Taylor, Mike Crotty, Anita Brown, Dave Pietro, and Mike Tamaro. He has also had the opportunity to perform in prestigious festivals such as the Reno, Lionel Hampton, Monterey Next Generation, and the 101st Monterey Jazz Festival. In that time Kyle was accepted into both the CCSD Honor Jazz Band and NMEA All State Jazz Band twice (08-09).
At CCPA, Kyle has performed twice (10,11) at the Elmhurst College Jazz festival, winning an Outstanding Solo award in 2011. He as also had the opportunity to perform with artists such as Tom Garling, Paul Wertico, Rob Parton, Victor Garcia, Steve Eisen, Butch Miles, and Jeff Berlin.
Since moving to Chicago in 2009, Kyle has performed with groups in town such as BMR 4, Chicago Afrobeat Project, Genome, Fifth World, Afro Zep, Mr. Blotto, Sam Sinclair Trio, IndigoSun, The Electric Boogaloo, Raoul Duke, and All Chocolate. He has performed at Venues such as Andy’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, The Kinetic Playground, The Tonic Room, Ace Bar, SPACE and many other venues. Kyle has also subbed and performed in the hit Off Broadway musical The Original Grease on Flute, clarinet and saxophone. He also leads his own Trio in venues around town and performs extensively in multiple genres.