Saxophonist and Composer, Kirsten Edkins has established herself as an active musician in the Los Angeles scene. She often finds herself on stage with jazz artists, such as the Bernie Dresel Big Band, John Daversa, John Beasley "Monkestra", Bill Holman Big Band, Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Band, Tom Kubis Big Band, among others. In the pop world, Kirsten has backed up Pharrell Williams, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Katharine McPhee, Crystal Lewis, Adam Levine, Carrie Underwood, John Legend and Natalie Cole, etc. She has performed on several seasons of The Voice and American Idol. Kirsten’s debut album "Art and Soul" features her original compositions and was produced by her mentor, Bob Sheppard. Joining with topnotch jazz artists, Larry Goldings, Larry Koonse, and Mark Ferber, the CD features both groovy Scofield/ Lovano-esque originals and straight-ahead styled songs. "Art and Soul" earned a spot in the top 15 albums on Jazz Week Charts and was featured in Downbeat, Jazziz, Japanese Jazz Life Magazine, and allaboutjazz.com. When she is not performing, Kirsten is a very active and passionate teacher and clinician, maintaining a private studio in Southern California, the Pasadena Conservatory of Music and the Bill Green Mentorship, through the Los Angeles Jazz Institute. She is a proud endorser of D’Addario reeds and plays Retro Revival mouthpieces.