Contributed Article/Courtesy Gila Valley Arts Council
SAFFORD – The Gila Valley Arts Council is proud to present Encore Saxophone Quartet, March 4, starting at 7 p.m. at the David M. Player Center for the Arts. Gila Valley Arts Council offers its concerts to make them family-friendly by discounting tickets for children and students to $5, even in Premier seats that adults pay $20 for. Tickets are currently on sale at Richards Music, 928-428-2442, online at www.gvac.org, or at the door. Adult ticket prices are only $15 or $20. All tickets are reserved seating.
When was the last time you heard a saxophone quartet play live, in concert? Maybe you’ve never heard one. Saxophone quartets are amazing to hear in person. Their sonorous harmonies can reverberate deep into your soul and stir up such pleasant feelings as you’ve never experienced in your life. Encore Saxophone Quartet is one of the best. They will be playing a really cool selection of pieces, with a bit of jazz and just a couple of classical compositions for the diehards. A few of the pieces you’ll hear at their concert include these gems:
Arrivée la Reine de Sabbat G. F. Handel (1685-1759)
Far Away Takatsugu Muramatsu (b.1978)
Suite Hellenique Pedro Iturralde (1929-2020)
Balcony Scene (from “West Side Story”) Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)
Gershwin Medley George Gershwin (1898-1937)
Foggy Day – Summertime – Bess, You Is My Woman
An American in Paris – S’ Wonderful – I Got Rhythm
My Funny Valentine Richard Rodgers (1902-1979)
Take the “A” Train, Billy Strayhorn (1915-1967
Michelangelo 70 Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
Folks Dances (from Pieces for Saxes) André Waignein (1942-2015)
Pamplona Ed Calle (b.1959)
The award-winning Encore Saxophone Quartet is among Los Angeles’ premier performing ensembles. Formed in 1984 by internationally renowned saxophonist Douglas Masek, the Quartet’s extensive repertoire spans original compositions and arrangements that bridge styles from Classical to Modern Jazz. The Quartet’s unique blend of innovative, diverse programming and an informational narrative transports listeners on a musical journey that showcases the many colorful possibilities of the saxophone’s sound spectrum in a quartet setting.
Individually, the members of the Quartet are distinguished soloists and chamber music artists who perform nationally and internationally. Furthermore, they are dedicated educators who lead inspiring and educational outreach programs, coach chamber music, and mentor the next generation of emerging artists.
The internationally renowned saxophonist Douglas Masek (Soprano Saxophone), whose performances emphasize versatility across a wide range of musical styles, from classical and contemporary to jazz, has consistently garnered critical acclaim. With extensive concert touring in the United States, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and South America, he has also performed as a featured soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, among others. Douglas has also shared the stage with John Legend, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Kristen Chenoweth, Christina Aguilera, and Audra McDonald, among others. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music, a MM degree in Woodwinds from The Ohio State University and a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Southern California. Dr. Masek is also a Vandoren Elite Artist and a Conn-Selmer Artist, performing and lecturing internationally at schools, colleges, and universities. Additionally, he has performed on motion picture soundtracks for Sony, Warner, Paramount, Universal, Disney, and 20th Century, as well as on television and radio broadcasts.
Kenneth R. Foerch (Alto Saxophone) is a Los Angeles-based free-lance studio musician, performer, and instructor. He received a B.M. from Michigan State University, an M.M. from the Eastman School of Music, and a D.M.A. from the University of Southern California. Performing as an on-call saxophonist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, he has also performed with some of today’s leading jazz artists, including Shelly Berg, Carmen Bradford, and Bill Watrous. Other performing accomplishments include appearing at the Ninth World Saxophone Congress in Japan and as principal saxophonist of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band for eight years. Appointed Director of Jazz Studies at Vanguard University, his other teaching areas include woodwind studies, Director of the Concert Band, advanced conducting, and beginning music theory.
David Brennan (Tenor Saxophone) is widely sought after as both a performer and educator in the greater Los Angeles area. Studio credits include the films “A Bright Shining Lie,” “Pumpkin,” “Road Trip,” “Don’t Say A Word,” “Shrek the Halls,” and “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.” He has performed for President Bill Clinton and worked as a consultant for the hit ABC show “Grey’s Anatomy.” His ensemble experiences include performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Long Beach Opera, and Santa Barbara Symphony, among others. Dr. Brennan received his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is currently a member of the music faculty at UCLA and is an endorsed Performing Artist with the Conn-Selmer Company and RICO Reeds.
Damon Zick (Baritone Saxophone) is a woodwind performer, composer, and educator. Born and raised in Seattle, Damon headed to the East Coast in 1993 to study saxophone, clarinet, composition, and jazz at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He later earned an M.M. in Jazz Winds from the California Institute of the Arts. He regularly performs with world/jazz group Quarteto Nuevo, the Industrial Jazz Group, and John Tesh. In addition, he has shared the stage with jazz artists such as Bob Mintzer, Vinny Golia, Joe Henderson, and Joe LaBarbera. As a founding member of the Los Angeles Jazz Collective, he has also been a featured artist at the Reno Jazz Festival, Bakersfield Jazz Festival, and UW Eau Claire Jazz Festival. As a classical musician, Damon has performed with the Los Angeles Opera, Santa Barbara Symphony, and on the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella Series, among others. He is on the faculty at California State University, Fullerton.
We graciously thank our GVAC Members who join as supporting members every year. This school residency and public performance project was made possible by funding received from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Creative West, and the National Endowment for the Arts. GVAC is also grateful for the support from the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, Freeport-McMoRan Corporation, and the Arizona Community Foundation of the Gila Valley. This is the last concert presented by GVAC until the next school year begins in 2026-2027, which already promises to be another fantastic series of very high-quality performing artists. If anyone is interested in becoming a supporting member of GVAC, call 928-322-4321 for more information.
