Composer. Saxophonist. Educator.
Paul Alexander Lessard
Biography
Paul Alexander Lessard (b. 1994) is a composer, saxophonist, educator, and man with way too many toques. Armed with a sharp musical wit, Dr. Lessard has developed a unique compositional language built on juxtapositions of musical style and absurd over-the-top showmanship, which he uses to create works that are fundamentally human, emphasizing creator-interpreter-listener interactions and the spectacle of live performance. A growing list of performers has dared to attempt Dr. Lessard’s compositions, including the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Canadian Armed Forces Saxophone Quartet, the Arkansas State University Jazz Ensemble, the University of Toronto Wind Ensemble, the new music duo Slair, and a litany of soloists including soprano Midori Marsh, pianist Stephanie Chua, tubist Ian Feenstra, and saxophonist Brendan Catalano.As a saxophonist, Dr. Lessard has performed across North America and Europe in genres ranging from classical and jazz to funk and punk. He has appeared as a soloist alongside concert bands, orchestras, and choirs, and has given numerous solo and chamber recitals, including at North American Saxophone Alliance conferences and the World Saxophone Congresses in Zagreb (2018) and Las Palmas (2023). His efforts to promote new music have led to premieres of several works by composers including Avner Dorman, Piet Swerts, Paul Richards, and Dr. Lessard himself.In addition to his artistic pursuits, Dr. Lessard is an active pedagogue and currently serves on the faculty at Jacksonville State University in Alabama. He has previously taught at Arkansas State University, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Toronto, and he holds degrees from the University of Toronto (D.M.A., Music Composition), the University of Florida (M.M., Music Performance and Composition), and Gettysburg College (B.S., Physics and Music). His primary composition teachers were Gary Kulesha, James Paul Sain, Paul Richards, and Avner Dorman. Dr. Lessard lives with his wife and their “oh-my-God-she’s-so-adorable” dog, Luna.Last updated May 2026
List of Compositions
(Organized Chronologically)
Still Darkness (in progress)
Piano solo, 7'30"
Infinity (2026)
Tenor Saxophone & Vibraphone, 7'
Publication forthcoming from C. Alan Publications
Recording on YouTube
He Came (2025)
Vibraphone solo, 6'
The Cream 'n' Shuffle (2024)
Jazz Ensemble, 7'
See the score here
Beckoning (2023)
Open instrumentation (for solo instrument or duo), 6'
Recording on YouTube
Blowbang (2023)
Alto Saxophone & Multi-Percussion, 9'
Available from C. Alan Publications here
WHAT. ARBITRARY. SILLINESS. (2021)
Wind Ensemble, 10'
Recording on YouTube
See the score here
Talking with Myself (2020)
Tuba solo, 10'
See the score here
funkin' eh (2019)
Piano solo, 5'
Recording on YouTube
See the score here
Death Stick (2019)
Soprano Saxophone solo, 6'
Legende (2019)
String Orchestra, 5'30"
Recording on YouTube
Word Association: Vodka (2019)
Clarinet, Violin, Violoncello, Piano, and Percussion, 5'
Some Items, Fox Preferred, Penultimate Destination (2019)
Saxophone Ensemble (SnSSAAATTTBBBs), 11'
Recording on YouTube
Modern Love: XXX (2018)
Mezzo-soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Violin, and Violoncello, 4'
Recording on YouTube
Overworld (2017)
Saxophone Quartet, 7'
Recording on YouTube
See the score here
Media
Recordings
