About

Born on January 21st, 1958, in North Vancouver, BC, Canada, alto saxophonist Dylan Cramer started his journey on the saxophone at age 13, after the sudden suicidal death of his father.

Four years later, Cramer’s best friend introduced him to a record by jazz alto saxophonist Sonny Criss. Hearing Sonny’s passionate sound and virtuoso technique instantly changed Cramer’s life, and he made up his mind then and there to find Sonny and study with him.

At just 19 years old, Dylan made the trek from Canada to Los Angeles to meet Sonny. What followed was eight months of incredible joy for Cramer, as he not only studied with Sonny but developed a very close relationship with him. Then, tragically, on November 19th, 1977, Sonny Criss committed suicide.

Unsure of what to do or where to go next, Dylan received a huge break from Dick Grove, who ran a music workshop school in Studio City where Cramer was taking a few classes. With Dick’s help, Cramer was introduced to Phil Sobel, one of L.A.’s finest studio musicians and a teacher of the highest calibre.

Working with Phil was a monumental turning point in Dylan’s life. He spent eight gruelling, insightful years under Sobel’s tutelage and credits Phil with saving his life, both as a man and as an artist.

After his time with Phil, Cramer returned to Canada, where he began his teaching and recording career.

Since then he has recorded six albums, plays regularly with his jazz trio, and teaches the saxophone full time.

In 2019, he introduced himself as a writer with the publication of "Alto Saxophone Mastery.” Since then, he has published three more books: “Chasing My Father,” “Flute Artistry,” and “Cold Spaghetti.” He is currently working on a new recording and a new book.

Artistry

“This young alto saxophonist possesses the fluidity and velvety tone witnessed by the late saxophonists Paul Desmond and Stan Getz.”

— All About Jazz

“Dylan Cramer puts on a clinic on the art of jazz playing.”

— The Vancouver Sun

“You got a big sound, boy - Sonny taught you good.”

— Leroy “The Walker” Vinnegar

Lessons

Dylan offers private lessons on saxophone, flute, clarinet, violin, and all other band instruments.

All ages and levels are welcome.
Music lessons are offered at the Kerrisdale Community Centre in Vancouver. In-home lessons are also available.

For more information, contact Dylan at dcaltosax@gmail.com or 604-318-1157.

Upcoming Gigs

August 25th, 2027 / Brentwood Presbyterian Church / 8:00-9:00pm / Admission by donation / With Michael Creber, piano and Steve Holy, bass / Honouring the memory of Ron Johnston

Links

Ron Rambach is one of the hippest cats I’ve ever known and a tour de force in the jazz industry. Over the past few years we have become very close friends, especially due to his love of Sonny Criss. Check out all the great artists that are a part of his Blue Note family and add to your vinyl collection today at:

musicmattersjazz.com

Sandro Massullo has been my saxophone repairman for the past 38 years. During that time, he has been nothing short of superb and has rescued my horn several times, He is honest, pays attention to detail and never gouges with his pricing. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for an amazing repairman and human being! Check him out at:

https://massullomusic.com

Nagel-Heyer Records has been a supporter of mine for the past 28 years, since they first released “All Night Long.” I am very appreciative of Frank Nagel-Heyer for both believing in me and taking a chance on me. Thanks as well to Sabine Nagel-Heyer for her constant support. Check out the many classic recordings they have produced over the years, and, in particular, their album featuring the music of Sonny Criss!

https://nagelheyer.bandcamp.com/artists

Michael Creber is an outstanding pianist, arranger, composer and person that I have been working with for the past dozen years. His improvisations are astounding, oftentimes leaving me speechless. His accompaniments are always thoughtful and, most importantly, he really listens to what I am doing and tries to compliment my ideas, something few accompanists do. Michael is also an incredibly kind, warm, funny person who deeply cares about people. He has shown nothing but love towards me and my family, always supporting us in our life and times. If you are looking to work with an amazing pianist, in any genre, or are looking for someone to compose a film score or arrange something for you, Michael is your man! I guarantee you will receive the highest standard possible from Michael. He is extraordinary!

https://michaelcreber.com/

Testimonials

“Dylan is the best teacher I’ve ever had, hands down.”

— Charlotte C

“Through it all, the distinctive, passionate sound of Cramer’s alto remains steadfast, irrespective of tempo. Assuming he gets more exposure, his signature sound will become immediately recognizable.”

— All Music Guide

“You have the three things every great player must have: sound, time, and feeling.”

— Russ Garcia

“Dylan Cramer plays with a deliberate joy and capability that reveals both his practice and dedication. There is no fault to be found in Cramer’s beautiful tone and song choices.”

— ALL ABOUT JAZZ

“You are the best music teacher in the whole world. You play the most simple songs and make them sound like they are the most beautiful songs ever!”

— Pippa H

“Cramer shows convincingly that a beautifully developed sound is sometimes worth more than a thousand notes.”

— CADENCE MAGAZINE

“I had a lot of technical and academic instructors after you, but learning how to play from your soul is something I learned from you and is the most valuable lesson of all! Thanks, teach!”

— Alvin Cornista

“As did Criss, Cramer plays the alto using clean, vigorous lines, often of breathtaking technical brilliance.”

— CODA MAGAZINE

“While I was in Whistler for the music festival I was lucky enough enough to have a workshop with you. I really admired how straight forward you were with everyone when you said “If you don’t love the saxophone, then quit!” I thought about that for a long time and decided I just couldn’t imagine my life without the saxophone. At the end of the class when you started playing along to a recording I was taken aback. Your sound was more than words could describe. You have inspired me to become a better saxophonist. Thank you!”

— Emily Green

“Dylan Cramer is a talent worth seeking out, and so much the better if his records lead you to Sonny Criss. The music of teacher and pupil is the perfect antidote to the strident sounds of other young players blindly stumbling after some elusive new thing.”

— JAZZ 52ND STREET

“You are the best of the best, brother!”

— Ron Rambach Music Matters Jazz

“You put the soul back in jazz”

— David Sherr

“You sound more like Sonny than Sonny does!”

— Chuck Niles KLON-FM

“I think you are the only person who loved my father as much as I did - thank you, brother”

— Steven Criss

Books

Cold Spaghetti

Cold Spaghetti is a collection of heartfelt, mysterious and thought-porovoking observations drawn from one man's journey through life.

Along with his passion for writing, Dylan Cramer is a saxophonist and teacher.

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Flute Artistry

This book will reveal the process of flute artistry as seen through the eyes of three men: Henry Lindeman, Phil Sobel, and Dylan Cramer. Their combined effort spans over 100 years, dating back to the 1920s and continuing to the present day.
Topics in this book will include vibrato, sound production, phrasing, articulation, interpretation, improvisation,
nuance, and dynamics, along with the study of the four cornerstones, offered here for the first time to the flute community.

Dylan Cramer has been playing and teaching the flute for five decades. He has recorded six albums and is currently working on his seventh. Along with his playing career he teaches flute, saxophone, clarinet, violin, and piano.

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Chasing My Father

In Chasing My Father, Dylan Cramer revisits his time beside the father he adored and cherished. He also recounts the peace movement of the sixties and his life as a commune child. Despite numerous struggles and heartbreaks in his early years, Cramer soldiered on into adulthood where more tragedy befell him. Taken to the brink several times, Cramer reveals an “inside voice” which guided and inspired him to keep moving forward. His determination to not give up amidst the many challenges he faced is truly inspirational.

Dylan Cramer is a professional saxophonist, recording artist, teacher, and author. He has recorded five albums and is currently working on his sixth. He performs regularly with his jazz trio and teaches the saxophone full time.

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Alto Saxophone Mastery

DYLAN CRAMER has been obsessed with the alto saxophone for over four decades. Cramer took up the alto at age thirteen after the sudden death of his father. Six years later, he traveled from Vancouver, B.C. to Los Angeles to seek out and study with legendary jazz alto saxophonist Sonny Criss. After Sonny’s death, Cramer moved on to study with one of LA’s finest woodwind players and studio musicians, Phil Sobel. Since returning to Vancouver, Cramer has recorded five albums, performs regularly with his jazz quartet, and teaches the saxophone full time.

In ALTO SAXOPHONE MASTERY, Cramer provides an exemplary collection of principles and guidelines set down from a lifetime of playing and teaching. Cramer devotes his advice to the alto saxophonist based on positioning, air delivery, and finger expertise. He then tackles specific topics such as vibrato, nuance, phrasing, interpretation, and improvisation. Many of the book’s chapters are illuminated by anecdotes of his time spent with both Criss and Sobel.

Receiving improper instruction from the outset can be disastrous for the alto saxophonist. As Cramer says, “The alto saxophone is a machine; learn to operate it first, and then and only then, move to the music at hand.” With this book, aspiring saxophonists everywhere will have the benefit of Cramer’s expert guidance and methods in their quest for alto saxophone mastery.

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Recordings

Contact

To connect with Dylan, please email dcaltosax@gmail.com or text 604-318-1157