Sergey Kolesov is one of the leading Russian saxophonists today. Active as a performer and educator all over the world for more than fifteen years (Europe, America, and Asia), Kolesov is the first Russian musician to win the "Grand-prix" at the International Adolphe Sax Competition in Dinant, Belgium, 2006. In 2019, Kolesov was honored to represent Russia at this huge event.
A Yamaha (Japan) and D’Addario (USA) artist, Kolesov studied at Russian Gnesin's Academy of Music with professor Margarita Shaposhnikova. He has won numerous international competitions, including the International Chamber Music Competition "Salieri-Zinetti" in Italy in 2010, and the European Chamber Music Competition in Germany in 2012. He has also won the special prize «Saxiana» at the International Saxophone Competition in Paris. As a performer, he strives to elevate the saxophone to the same standing as the more traditionally viewed classical instruments.
Sergey Kolesov is the saxophone professor at the Saint Petersburg State Conservatory. Previously, he taught at the Lomonosov Moscow State University. His students occupy leading positions in Russian and world saxophone programs. Kolesov hosted several saxophone performance projects in Russia: the International Saxophone Competition “The Voice of Saxophone in the Modern World” (Russian Gnesin’s Academy 2011), the International Saxophone Competitions in 2014, 2015, 2017, as well as master classes with outstanding musicians from around the world. Additionally, he is the author of the Russian national musical educational project Forest Sax school in Slavonic Kremlin. Furthermore, Kolesov serves as a member of juries at the International competitions, the International TV children competition “Nutcracker,” as well as at a number of festivals and competitions in Russia. He regularly takes part in programs of the international charitable foundation “Gift of Life.”
“. . .all doubts regarding possibilities of classical solo saxophone were disproved at once. This first concert of 19th International Julita Festival was really fantastic. Sergey Kolesov took the public by storm from the very start.” -Sven Bertilsson, Katrineholms Kuriren, Sweden
“At a concert of the festival in Verona “Great Music in Places of Arts” two musicians Sergey Kolesov (saxophone) and Elena Grinevich (piano) have demonstrated their outstanding technical and artistic skills, both individually and in ensemble, having totally confirmed their first prize at “Saliery-Zinetty 2010”. -Chiara Zocca, Verona, Italy
“Two great musicians performed in the City Hall of Karlsruhe - Sergey Kolesov (saxophone) and Elena Grinevich (piano), first prize winners of the 4th European Chamber Music Competition, delighting the audience with original works and transcriptions for saxophone and piano from Claude Debussy to Edison Denisov. You have to hear Sergey Kolesov yourself in order to realize the ability of his saxophone to “talk” with the human voice, conveying most precise intonation and emotional nuances.” -Claus-Dieter Hanauer, Karlsruhe, Germany