The New Jersey Saxophone Ensemble

The New Jersey Saxophone Ensemble

Established in 1985, the New Jersey Saxophone Ensemble draws on an array of cultures and musical forms to create a unique and diversified repertoire. Performances include a lively mix of Classical, Jazz, Folk and World Music that balances musical tradition with refreshing innovation. "This foursome is in the running for perfection, not only because of their technical mastery, but also because of their musical adroitness." (Elaine Stuauss, Classical New Jersey).

The musicians of the quartet - Frederic Davis, soprano; Avi Goldrosen, alto; James Garde, tenor; Paul Larsen, baritone - represent a wide swath of experience in classical, jazz and pop. Individually, they have played such venues as Lincoln Center and Symphony Space in New York City, the Louisville Saxophone Institute, the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands and the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Other credits include performances with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, New York Theatre Ballet, the Shirelles, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell, jazz vocalist Marlene VerPlanck, Brazilian flugelhornist Claudio Roditti, big band leader Rob McConnel and saxophonist George Coleman.

Coming together as the NJSE, they are actively involved in arts education and dedicate much of their time to educational projects, giving master classes, coaching young adults and participating in outreach concerts in the community and schools. Recently the ensemble performed benefit concerts for "The Noonan Syndrome Support Group" and "Parents of Blind Children" Dedicated to a policy of introducing audiences to new works by today's leading composers, including Michael Torke, Paquito D'Rivera and Erland von Koch, as well as inventive arrangements for saxophone quartet of works by Scott Joplin and George Gershwin, NJSE has thus become defined by its own unique repertoire. "It was a delight to the ears and sensibilities to be lulled by the beautiful melodies and perfect pitch playing of this fine ensemble," (lohn Hammel, WNTl radio).


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