SCSO Jazz Orchestra
Andrew Cleaver.
Jazz Director. Saxophonist. Educator.
A lifetime of performance, service, teaching, and making music move.
Years Performing
37
A career as a professional soloist — still going.
Years in the Air Force
21
From Langley to the Pentagon.
Countries Performed In
20
For presidents, prime ministers, and the Queen Mother.
A Career in Motion
From military bands to the Space Coast jazz scene.
Saxophonist Andrew Cleaver has enjoyed a distinguished 37-year career as a professional soloist. His musical journey began as a young U.S. Air Force Band saxophonist after graduating from Florida Southern College in Lakeland.
After retiring from the military with 21 years of service plus 16 years working for the U.S. Treasury, Andrew became known locally for his proficiency in educating and inspiring young Melbourne-area saxophonists through his private lesson studio and work with Brevard County schools.
01
The Stage
A lifetime of playing at the highest level.
Andrew has performed with Karrin Allyson, Paquito D’Rivera, Butch Miles, Louise Mandrell, The Ronettes, Kevin Eubanks, The Beverly Sisters, and saxophone master instructor Eugene Rousseau.
02
The Mission
Teaching is part of the music.
He works with students throughout Brevard, helping young musicians build confidence, technique, and a deeper connection to the instrument.
03
The Community
Building the next sound.
Andrew leads the SCSO Jazz Orchestra, performs with SCSO ensembles, and operates Brevard Winds and Brass for schools, students, and professionals.
The Story Behind the Sound
A career built on service, curiosity, and musicianship.
Andrew played saxophone on the Grammy Award-winning album PDQ Bach: Music for an Awful Lot of Winds and Percussion, which won Best Comedy Album in 1992. His military performance tours took him through 20 countries and included performances for England’s Queen Mother, Prime Minister John Major, Presidents Ford, Bush, Clinton, and Obama, as well as senators and international dignitaries.
After enlisting in the Air Force in 1988, Andrew joined the U.S. Air Force Band at Langley Air Force Base, transferred to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band as principal alto saxophonist, and served as lead for the Air Force’s Glenn Miller Band sax section. He also served as Drum Major for the Ceremonial Band.
He later transferred to the Air Force Band in Illinois, served in public affairs at the Pentagon, and performed as a saxophonist, announcer, and public affairs specialist in Washington, D.C. During his tenure, Andrew was assigned to the Air Force’s premier jazz ensemble, The Airmen of Note.
Today, he leads the SCSO Jazz Orchestra, performs with your orchestra’s ensembles, teaches young musicians, operates Brevard Winds and Brass, and remains active with the SCSO Sax Quartet and Melbourne’s Space Coast Big Band.
