Young jazz saxophonist aims for the stars
By Thomas James
happenings
Published April 6, 2005

Elizabeth Mis will perform at Westlake Porter Public Library April 17 at 2 p.m.

Most Saturday mornings this past summer you would have found 13-year-old Elizabeth Mis performing for tips outside a small coffee shop not far from the Bay Village home she shares with her family. The sweet sounds of her soprano and alto saxophones filled the small shopping plaza where the coffee shop is located. "You play like you're twice your age," was a compliment often tossed her way.

While a lot of kids dream of being in a rock band, Elizabeth has chosen a much different path. She has immersed herself into the world of contemporary jazz. Her dream is to become a solo artist -- a star. And she appears to be one of those people who possess the right amounts of chutzpa, confidence and talent to turn such a dream into reality.

Her music education began in typical fashion when her parents signed her up for clarinet lessons at age 9. Less than two years later, one of those small moments that changes everything occurred. As she sat in her room working on her computer and listening to the radio, a song featuring a soprano saxophone began to play. Elizabeth says she was so taken with "that sound" she instantly went and begged her parents to allow her to drop clarinet and learn soprano saxophone instead.

Suddenly, playing music was more than just lessons on Tuesday. It became her passion. After only a year of experience on soprano sax, she decided to make things more interesting by adding alto sax to her agenda. Within six months she began to perform in public using both instruments.

Elizabeth says her "sound" was achieved by spending hours in her room playing along with recordings by her favorite artist. She became so practiced with those songs that when one of her favorite performers scheduled an appearance in Northeast Ohio, Elizabeth would be there -- and not only to enjoy the concert.

When she learned Christ Botti (who opened for Josh Groban's tour this past winter) would be performing at the Tangier in Akron, Elizabeth insisted her mom get them there early. Of course she wanted to meet Chris, but she also wanted to ask to jam with him and his band during the soundcheck. Chris was receptive to the request, and Elizabeth got her chance to play along with him doing the same songs she diligently practiced alone in her room for all those weeks.

The payoff came when the soundcheck was complete. Chris told Elizabeth's mother he was completely blown away by her talent. He complimented her on the sound she achieved with her soprano sax, "especially at such a young age." And he also praised Elizabeth's confidence onstage.

She's also jammed with Michael Lington, Brian Culbertson, Kim Waters and Grammy nominated saxophonist Dave Koz. Elizabeth still uses the custom-made reeds given to her by Dave. She was so relentless at getting backstage at Dave's shows at the Palace Theatre in Cleveland that he finally gave in and promised Elizabeth after-show passes whenever he's in town. If you haven't figured it out, it was Dave's soprano sax that Elizabeth first heard. And he's still by far her favorite performer and biggest influence.

Although jamming with her musical heroes is fun, a busy schedule of gigs is something she enjoys even more. Elizabeth says she plays almost any gig she's offered, and as a result, last year's busy schedule included performances throughout greater Cleveland at a wide variety of venues -- everything from a car dealership's grand opening in Elyria to Christmas performances at garden centers in Bedford and Strongsville. But some of her gigs, she admits, have been a bit more special.

This past November she provided entertainment at a blood drive in Lorain sponsored by radio station WCLV. Part of that experience was Elizabeth's first broadcast interview. After her performance, show host Mark Sitola paid Elizabeth a compliment by introducing her to his listeners as "soprano and alto saxophonist extraordinaire, Elizabeth Mis." Then, noticing her teeth during his interview of her he asked, "Is it difficult to play such a challenging instrument with braces?" Elizabeth's reply was a matter of fact: "I don't know. I've never played without them." Such are the trials and tribulations of a young musician.

Last October, Elizabeth heard that Crocker Park, the new shopping district in Westlake, would have entertainment at the public grand opening in November. She begged her mother to call their offices to see if there might be a spot for her. Her mother made the call and was politely turned down, but hung up the phone with the distinct impression that the reason for the rejection was Elizabeth's age. They just didn't think a 13-year-old could be good enough to perform at the event.

Her pride piqued, Elizabeth insisted her mother take her to the Crocker Park offices so she could "show them." Darryl Whitehead of Crocker Park management tells the story this way: "This young girl and her mother walk into our office and ask if she can play the sax for us. Three notes into the song and I wondered where in the program we could place her."

Before Elizabeth and her mom left his office, he asked Elizabeth for her autograph, "I'm not waiting 10 years," he said. "It's going to happen." As part of the Crocker Park gig, the audition also earned Elizabeth an appearance on

Fox 8's "Kickin' With Kenny."

Shortly after she discovered that jazz guitarist Peter White would be in Cleveland to give a free concert, she e-mailed and asked if she could perform a few songs with him. She was more than a little surprised, and excited, when he agreed.

On Dec. 26, Elizabeth took the stage with him in front of an audience of around 400 people at Pickwick & Frolic in downtown Cleveland. The veteran performer treated her like an equal and welcomed her to show business. On that day, Elizabeth was right where she wanted to be -- stage center, performing her heart out. And she handled it like a seasoned professional who had done it a thousand times before. Anyone lucky enough to have been in the audience that Sunday afternoon was treated not only to a great show, but to a glimpse of the future as well.

Elizabeth's 2004 performance schedule ended on that high note. But 2005's schedule is already filling with what promises to be more shining moments for the young musician. On May 29, Elizabeth is scheduled to perform the national anthem on her alto saxophone at Jacob's Field before the Cleveland Indians/Oakland Athletics game.

Anyone interested in hearing Elizabeth Mis perform can stop by Westlake Porter Public Library on April 17 at 2 p.m. to hear her in a concert sponsored by Friends of the Westlake Porter Public Library.