Michigan native Stratøs is a saxophonist, composer, producer, and photographer whose presence in the Los Angeles scene is rapidly growing. Having embraced the melodies of the Cool School early in his development, Stratøs now leaves behind a unique sonic imprint as a producer. His affinity for analog textures is felt not only in his music, but his photography. By combining the two, he’s created an entire ecosystem brimming with life. Stratøs is a three-time winner of the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award from 2019-2021. Additionally, he was awarded the ASCAP Foundation’s Johnny Mandel Prize as well as being selected as a National Sawdust New Works Commission Contest winner. The latter granted the composer the opportunity to write for the world renowned JACK Quartet.
In 2017, Stratøs began working with Charlie Burg. The saxophonist is featured on several of Burg’s works such as “Intentions,” “Lancaster Nights,” and the artist’s 2022 debut LP Infinitely Tall.
In 2022, he began working with comedian, producer & writer, Jordan Temple. The saxophonist is featured both on Temple’s one-man show “Sweet Lorraine,” and can be seen briefly on the ABC comedy series “Abbott Elementary.”
Stratøs released his first album, Planets, in 2021. The LP is entirely self-produced and features the likes of Alekos Syropoulos (Mac Miller, Anderson .Paak, Vulfpeck), 2019 JUNO award nominee Andrew Rathbun, John Hébert (Fred Hersch, Maria Schneider), and renowned saxophonist/composer/producer David Binney (Louis Cole, Knower, Donny McCaslin,). The album is the amalgamation of the producer’s diverse musical identities. Reaching from the visceral, distorted sounds and grooves of the death metal world to the serene soundscapes akin to Hayao Miyazaki film scores, Planets sought to connect a narrative throughline between these juxtaposing elements.
His second project, Hohenheim Suites, is a full length jazz-chamber album inspired by Hiromu Arakawa’s 2001 graphic novel Full Metal Alchemist. The album was co-produced by Rathbun and features a return from Hébert on upright bass. Joining them is 1997 Great American Jazz Piano Award winner Matthew Fries (Curtis Stigers, Joel Frahm, Terrell Stafford, Steve Wilson), and includes an appearance by the world renowned JACK Quartet. The album was released independently May 6th, 2022.
