Death & Saxes is a collaboration between two of Santa Cruz's top jazz players. With John Bouwsma on saxophone and Joe Willis backing up on piano, they explore classic jazz, blues and contemporary styles.

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, John Bouwsma started playing the saxophone at age 13. He quickly began playing at local jams and venues around town. After graduating High School. John moved to New Orleans to study music at Loyola University, embracing the local music scene and culture. In 2021, John returned to his hometown and founded Death And Saxes, a jazz quartet that plays many venues all around Santa Cruz. He continues to branch out with new projects, including a cocktail duo with Pianist Joe Willis.

Joe Willis is a keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, producer, arranger, and composer, based in Santa Cruz. He grew up in Santa Monica, studying jazz theory and performance at the Colburn School of Music, and playing jazz, rock and funk in various groups around Los Angeles. He studied music at UC Santa Cruz, and upon returning to LA, he studied Composition for TV & Film at USC. He currently plays, co-writes and produces for an original music rock/soul/funk project Nether Land, featuring female vocalist Rebecca Carlish. After recently returning to Santa Cruz, he's been returning to the live jazz scene, as the keyboardist in Ken Koenig's band with a residency at Stockwell Cellars, as well as pianist in a duo with Saxophonist John Bouwsma.