Dave Townsend
Saxophone & Clarinet
Dave Townsend is a jazz saxophone and clarinet player based in Rochester, Minnesota, who frequently collaborates within the regional Midwest jazz scene.
John Paulson Big Band
Townsend is a core member of the John Paulson Big Band, a 19-piece ensemble led by Winona-based saxophonist and composer John Paulson.
Instruments: He primarily plays the baritone saxophone and tenor saxophone for the group.
Featured Albums:
He is featured on the 2013 album John Paulson Big Band Project, notably performing a tenor saxophone solo on the track "They Still Have A Pad Downtown".
He played baritone saxophone on the group's 2023 album release, The Refuge Project.
Other Regional Projects
Beyond his work with John Paulson, Townsend is a long-standing member of Swing, Inc., a popular Midwest swing quartet and big band founded in 1999 by trumpeter Jerry Paulson (John Paulson's brother). In this group, Townsend performs on both saxophone and clarinet for events throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the Upper Midwest.