A lifetime of music, a legacy of opportunity. Don Sadofsky has devoted over 40 years to sharing the joy of swing as leader of the Revolutionary Swing Orchestra, where his artistry on the alto saxophone and woodwinds has inspired audiences across the Midwest.

Beyond the stage, his passion for music and dedication to mentorship shaped countless students, including Dr. Markeise Russell, who honors his teacher’s influence through the creation of this foundation.

Biography of Mr. Don Sadofsky

Chicago Music Educator & Community Arts Leader

Don Sadofsky is a lifelong resident of Chicago’s Northwest Side and one of the city’s most enduring and beloved music educators. A graduate of Chicago State University (Class of 1971), where he studied saxophone under legendary jazz artist and educator Vernice “Bunky” Green, Mr. Sadofsky began his professional career in the Chicago Park District, where he has dedicated over 50 years to teaching and mentoring musicians of all ages.

In 1976, he founded the Horner Park Jazz Band through the Park District’s jazz instruction program. Originally designed as a summer extension for student musicians, the band quickly grew into a respected big-band ensemble, performing across the city at venues such as the Palmer House Hilton, the State of Illinois Building, and dozens of community festivals, senior centers, hospitals, and public concerts. For nearly five decades, the ensemble has provided thousands of Chicagoans with free access to live jazz and a place to learn and grow through music.

In addition to his leadership with the Horner Park Jazz Band, Mr. Sadofsky directs the Revolutionary Swing Orchestra, an advanced-level ensemble that continues Chicago’s big-band tradition. Many of its members are alumni of the Horner Park Jazz Band, and the group represents a vibrant, multigenerational continuation of Chicago’s swing legacy.

Mr. Sadofsky has taught music at numerous schools across the Archdiocese of Chicago, including but not limited to Queen of Angels, St. Margaret Mary, St. Edward School, and Gordon Tech High School in the 1990s. He is a devoted member of St. Edward Parish, and he and his wife are proud parents of seven children, all of whom attended St. Edward School and Fenwick High School, exemplifying the family’s deep commitment to Catholic education.

Through his decades of work at Horner Park, Sauganash Park, and Portage Park, Mr. Sadofsky has impacted thousands of Chicagoans, not only through teaching, but through public concerts, mentorship, and his unwavering belief in the power of community music. His legacy continues to shape the lives of musicians and educators across the city, and his name is synonymous with access, excellence, and dedication in music education.