Since his solo debut at age eighteen with Colombia´s National Symphonic Band, Dr. Javier Andrés Ocampo has emerged as a foremost researcher, creator and promoter of Latin-American music written or adapted for saxophone in different formats and musical genres. Through the Latin America cultural knowledge and the modern saxophone development, he has been dedicated over 30 new works from the most well-known Latin American composers and premiered over 40 new pieces for saxophone.
He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University (USA) where he studied with the renowned saxophonist and international soloist Timothy McAllister, 4 different diplomas from the Bourges Conservatory of Music and Dance (France) and a laureate degree from Cali´s Conservatory Antonio María Valencia (Colombia).
Based on the different schools, genres and styles Dr. Ocampo proposes a holistic way to approach as a saxophone player, the saxophone sonority and its repertoire having rhythm and corporeality as the main element. His versatility has allowed him to make important recordings, tours and concerts in France, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Portugal and Uruguay. Throughout his career he has also been recognized with first prizes and mentions in national and international saxophone and chamber music competitions in France, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru.
As a recordings Artist, Dr. Ocampo has dedicated three recent works to Latin American composers and its music from the 20th and 21st century, Concomitant: Modern Latin American Music for Saxophone (2012), Conciertos Colombianos Vol. 3 Musica Andina Colombiana para Saxofón (2016) and Ocaruz Dúo: Eu Soy Latino (2017) for saxophones and Marimba.
As a soloist he has appeared with Valle del Cauca Symphonic Band, Universidad EAFIT Medellín Symphonic Band, the Youth Villamaria´s Symphonic Band, the Wind Fanfare of Bourges-France, Colombia´s National Symphonic Band of, the Band of Córdoba Symphonic Band - Argentina, San José National Symphonic Band - Costa Rica, Santa Rosa de la Pampa Symphonic - Argentina, Tatui Symphonic Band - Brazil, UNAM University Symphonic Band (Mexico), Pereira Symphonic Band, Antonio María Valencia Youth Orchestra, and Cali´s Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also been nominated several times to the Latin Grammy´s as part of the Cali´s Big Band and once to the Grammy as part of the “Invencible” session with the famous Spanish born singer “El Cigala”.
Dr. Ocampo currently directs the 4V Saxophone Quartet – winners of different awards and prizes in Colombia– he is also part of the CAOVVA Saxophone Quartet, OCARUZ DUO (marimba and saxophone) and the indie group Manteca Blue & The Latin Corner, where he has composed , sung and arranged several songs and works.
Dr. Ocampo is the current Dean and Saxophone Professor at the Antonio María Valencia Conservatory in Cali, he is a member of the Latin American association of saxophonists ALASAX board, the General Director of Cali´s International Saxophone Festival and works as a Latin America Yamaha artist, as well as a Vandoren Artis and BG France.