Reed

Reed plays saxophone for the Birds of Wisdom, and his melodies are unmistakably smoky. His mom loved Chet Baker, and Reed was drawn early to that cool jazz sound.

One day, while waiting for a friend in the school band, he picked up a saxophone and could barely put it down.

He tried singing, too, but was never satisfied with his voice, so he put his heart and soul into saying what he wanted to say through the sax instead.

Growing up, Reed helped support his mom, two sisters and brother by performing magic at music clubs around town. The musicians and regulars encouraged him and helped hone his playing. One even gave him a tuxedo for an early music-and-magic gala. It became his signature style.

Whenever he gets the chance, Reed plays “My Funny Valentine” in honor of his mom—and Chet.

Because beneath the tuxedo, the smoky sax and all those magic tricks, Reed is a hopeless romantic.

Word of Wisdom

“You don’t have to use your voice to say what’s in your heart.”