Dynamic Musical Evening coming to Centenary!

The New Jersey Saxophone Ensemble, lauded as "in the running for perfection" (E. Strauss, Classical New Jersey), will bring a lively program of classical, jazz, folk and world music to the Centenary Performing Arts Guild, in their concert performance on April 7 at 8 PM.

Established in 1985, the NJ Saxophone Ensemble is acclaimed as one of the most innovative and exciting contemporary music ensembles in the region. Performing from a repertoire of classical saxophone quartet selections from the last five centuries, the evening's concert will include the world premiere of Gershwin's rarely heard work, Lullaby, arranged by Frederick Davis, and Italian composer Roberto Di Marion's Quartetto III. Also on the program will be Pierre Dubois' Quartuor, J.S. Bach's Sarabande from the second English Suite, Paquito D'Rivera's New York Suite, Evertt Gates' Declamation and Dance as well as selections from Purcell's The Fairy Queen and Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.

With a sound that is both warm and transparent, Soprano saxophonist Frederic Davis uses an instrument from the early 1920's with a curved bell, rather than the standard clarinet-shaped contemporary saxophone. The curve, says Davis, results in a dark and mellow sound that takes on a life of its own, and is matched by the other members of the ensemble through the use of mouthpieces of an old design.

Members of this dynamic group have performed with the Julliard Opera Company, The New York City Ballet, Julliard Dance Company, The Charleston Symphony Orchestra, at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Symphony Space, the Chico Mendoza Big Band, and with "Golden Boys" - Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell. Bringing their virtuoso talents to the performance will be Frederic Davis on soprano Saxophone, Avi Goldrosen on alto sax, James Garde on tenor sax and Paul Egan-Larsen on baritone saxophone.

Tickets for the New Jersey Saxophone Ensemble concert are $15 for adults and $12.50 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased through the CPAG Box Office at 908-979-0900, and locally at Baron's Hallmark in the Hackettstown Mall. Web users may also order tickets through our online Tickets/Ordering Form.

NJ Saxophone Ensemble's guest appearance at CPAG will also include a special workshop for local music students, to be held at the Hackettstown High School.

Performances on the Centenary Stage are made possible in part through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, local business sponsors, and Arts Guild Supporting Members.