The Osland Saxophone Quartet is a chamber ensemble based in Lexington, Kentucky. Its members bring together musical experiences from their travels as well as their academic backgrounds.

Miles Osland (soprano) and Lisa Parent-Osland (tenor) head up the saxophone department at the University of Kentucky, Larry Nelson (baritone) is head of the saxophone department at Eastern Kentucky University in nearby Richmond, KY, and Paul Haar (alto) hails from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville where he is professor of Saxophone and jazz studies. All members are Selmer artists and clinicians.

The OSQ has toured the East and West coasts and has performed at invitational concerts for the North American Saxophone Alliance and World Saxophone Congress biennial conferences. This past summer they were Quartet-in-Residence at the famed Boston University Tanglewood Institute and performed at the West Street Theater.

The OSQ is unique in that its repertoire spans both the classical and jazz genres. Dedicated to finding new works written for saxophone (quartet), they performed the world premiere of Walt Weiskopf's 1000 Bars of Blue in 2001 . They also perform works by Bob Mintzer, Walt Weiskopf, a piece written by Heiner Wiberny that has African-American roots, and many other noted classical and jazz composers. All members are dedicated to diversity, leaving no musical stone unturned.

Their debut recording, Kentucky Roastup has been hailed by critics as ".a great example of music to come, and the qualities that it will take to be a part of it: eclecticism, technical prowess and positive energy." JazzTimes magazine states: "This isn't just for saxophonists. Indeed, the versatile Osland Saxophone Quartet provides a savory smorgasbord with something to please just about every taste.in all a superb outing by one of the genre's truly great ensembles."

Miles Osland has distinguished himself as an educator, recording and performing artist, author, arranger and composer. Currently the Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Saxophone at the University of Kentucky, he has appeared throughout Europe, North and South America as a guest conductor, performer and clinician for Selmer Saxophones and Bay Woodwind mouthpieces. His compositions and arrangements, available through Walrus Music, have been recognized and supported by fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kentucky Arts Council, and by numerous other arts foundations. Two of his recordings, Saxercise and My Old Kentucky Home , have been submitted for Grammy nominations by Sea Breeze Jazz Records, one of the most respected labels in jazz. His latest recording for Open Loop Jazz Records, An Old Speckled Hen at Snapes Malting , was inspired by his experiences while performing in England. Mr. Osland's three sets of books are available through Dorn Publications and his scholarly work in saxophone technique and jazz improvisation can be found in a variety of publications including Downbeat , Jazz Educators Journal , Jazz Player Magazine , Saxophone Journal and Windplayer Magazine . Miles holds an M.A. from Eastman School of Music and his major teachers have included: Ramon Ricker, Gary Foster, Charles Bay and Jim Walker.

Paul Haar has performed in a variety of musical settings, specializing in all aspects of saxophone performance and pedagogy. As a classical saxophonist he has performed recitals throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to his work as a soloist he has performed with such orchestras as The Tanglewood Music Center Fellowship Orchestra, The Arapahoe Philharmonic, The Austin Symphony, and The Asheville Symphony. Dedicated to finding new works for saxophone, Mr. Haar has commissioned and premiered works by such composers as Jack Cooper, Greg Kehl Moore, Jessie Krebs, Lessie Hogan, Michael Colgrass, and Ben Boone. Most recently he premiered Leslie Hogan's Sonata for alto saxophone and piano at the 12th World Saxophone Congress in Montreal, and was instrumental in bringing about the wind ensemble version of Ben Boone's Squeeze for alto saxophone and wind ensemble (this version was premiered by Mr. Haar with the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble). In the jazz idiom he has performed with such artists as Dave Brubeck, James Moody, The Manhattan Transfer, Toshiko Akiyoshi and has backed such personalities as Bob Newhart, The Chiffons, and Jerry Lewis. He has recorded on the Sea Breeze label as a member of the Boulevard Big Band, with saxophonist Eric Marienthal and vocalist Kevin Paul Haar Bio Continued Mahogany. In addition to his solo work, Mr. Haar is active in such groups as the Haar/Hellmer duo (with pianist Jeff Hellmer), Shadestreet (with trumpeter Vance Thompson), and The Southwest Horns Jazz-Saxophone ensemble. A native of Fremont, Nebraska, Mr. Haar received the B.M. and M.M. from The University of Kansas, where he studied with Vincent Gnojek, Dick Wright and Dan Gailey. Before taking the position of Assistant professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, he served as a teaching assistant in saxophone and jazz studies at the University of Texas at Austin. There he studied with Harvey Pittel, Jeff Hellmer, and Rich Lawn.

Lisa Parent Osland is the Instructor of Saxophone and Director of Saxophone Ensembles at the University of Kentucky. She received her instrumental training at the University of Massachusetts where she studied with Lynn Klock and went on to become a graduate assistant under Ramon Ricker at Eastman School of Music. While at Eastman, Ms. Osland was credited with receiving the coveted Performer's Certificate and the prestigious Graduate Teaching Award. A busy performer, her credits include appearances with Wynton Marsalis, Doc Severinsen, Ben Vereen, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Springfield Symphony, the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra and many others. Lisa writes CD reviews for the Saxophone Journal .

Larry Nelson is a performer, composer/arranger, and educator. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Eastern Kentucky University and he teaches courses in music history and music technology at the University of Kentucky and directs the University of Kentucky Lab Band. An active performer on both saxophone and bass, Larry is a member of the Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra, the Dimartino-Osland Jazz Orchestra and appears frequently with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also performed with Ray Charles, the Manhattan Transfer, the Temptations, the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Ben Vereen, and many others. Larry has co-authored articles on music technology for the Bluegrass Music News and Jazz Educators Journal , and he presented research papers at the annual convention of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Walrus Music publishes his original compositions and arrangements.