Master Sergeant Michael Reifenberg, a native of Cudahy, Wisconsin, joined the saxophone section of the Jazz Knights in September 2005. In 2003, he received a Bachelor of Music in saxophone performance from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater. Two years later, he completed a Master of Music in jazz studies at Indiana University School of Music, where he was also an associate instructor under renowned jazz pedagogue David Baker. Throughout the years, Master Sgt. Reifenberg's most influential teachers have been Curt Hanrahan, Rob Wilkerson, Tom Walsh, Pat Harbison, and David Baker. Additionally, he has studied improvisation with Ed Peterson, Joel Frahm, Clay Jenkins, and others. Master Sgt. Reifenberg has also performed with several jazz legends, including James Moody, Slide Hampton, Bob Mintzer, David Sanchez, the late Frank Mantooth, Denis DiBlasio, Matt Harris, Steve Houghton, and Jeff Jarvis. He was also a member of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Pops, the Doc Severinsen Big Band, the American Swing Orchestra, the Al Cobine Big Band, the Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra, the Buselli-Wallarab Jazz Orchestra, and a host of other bands in the Milwaukee and Indianapolis areas.
Since joining the band, Master Sgt. Reifenberg has served as Education Outreach NCOIC and has taken on a de facto role as an arranger for various unit ensembles. He has arranged or composed approximately 150 pieces for the unit and takes great pride and pleasure in his work. He recently made the transition to the West Point Band’s Concert Band, where he gets to call upon his past training as a classical saxophonist in addition to utilizing his skills as a commercial musician.
Master Sgt. Reifenberg lives at West Point with his wife Megan and his son Marcus. In his free time, he enjoys having fun with Marcus, exercising, and playing golf.
