Stephen Gladney

Apogee Merit Scholar

New Orleans, Louisiana

Stephen Gladney is shown at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) In 2008, Gladney was selected as the Foundation's first American Apogee Merit Scholar © Apogee Foundation ®

Born in New Orleans, Stephen Gladney has studied the saxophone with Alonzo Bowens, Clyde Kerr Jr. and Jonathan Bloom; also working with Edward “Kidd” Jordan, Kent Jordan, Alvin Batiste, Jimmy Heath, Donald Harrison, Germaine Bazzle and a host of other musicians.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Stephen evacuated to South Carolina, escaping with only his alto saxophone. He returned to New Orleans a year later to again attend NOCCA, studying with Herman Lebeaux, Michael Pellera, Chris Severin, and the late Alvin Batiste.

Stephen’s scope of performing experience ranges from the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to Snug Harbor, and the Ashe Drum Circle to Terence Blanchard, and he is currently a member of The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz's NOCCA Jazz Septet as well as his band The Black Notes.

In 2008, following the launch of Apogee's programs in New Orleans, Stephen Gladney became the first American to be named an Apogee Merit Scholar.