featuring Roger Admiral & The Edmonton Saxophone Quartet
Prepare for an experience that defies tradition! Local pianist Roger Admiral joins forces with the Edmonton Saxophone Quartet for an evening that sits at the thrilling intersection of funk, jazz, and classical mastery.
Experience a bold new quintet by Alberta composer Howard Bashaw, specifically composed to showcase the rich, resonant power of the lower-range saxophones – including the rare, floor-shaking growl of the bass saxophone. To balance the avant-garde, Roger Admiral will serenade you with the timeless, syncopated soul of George Gershwin’s solo piano classics while the Edmonton Saxophone Quartet will play works by Emma O’Halloran and Guillermo Lago.
About The Edmonton Saxophone Quartet
The Edmonton Saxophone Quartet has been performing throughout North America for more than twenty-five years, striking a balance championing new works with creative interpretations of more traditional music. Their immediate musicality and warm stage presence have enticed and excited ears in expected (and some unexpected) places, and they have taken a prominent place in Edmonton’s cultural fabric. ESQ has commissioned and premiered a number of new works for saxophone quartet from Canadian and international composers, and they enjoy frequent support from provincial and national government arts organizations. ESQ’s current membership is Allison Balcetis [University of Alberta], Kendra Heslip [Edmonton Public Schools], Charles Stolte [The King’s University], and Emily Schultz [Parkland School District].
About Roger Admiral
Canadian pianist Roger Admiral performs music from the 17th to the 21st century. Performances include Steven Takasugi’s Piano Concerto with Südwestrundfunk Sinfonieorchester for Donaueschinger Musiktage, György Ligeti’s Piano Concerto with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Matthew Ricketts’ Meloscuro with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the piano works of Iannis Xenakis for Vancouver New Music, and collaborations on recitals for Curto-Circuito de Música Contemporânea Brazil, Festival of Contemporary Polish Music (Wrocław), New Music Concerts (Toronto), Lincoln Center’s Great Performers series, Carnegie / Weill Hall, and Talea Ensemble Time:Spans (New York City) . He plays with the Edmonton quartet UltraViolet and with Aventa Ensemble in Victoria, BC. For 20 years Roger led the contemporary chamber music class at University of Alberta. He lives in Camrose, AB.
This show is part of the Special Presentations and show sponsored by Rose City Fibre Fest.
