The Amherst Saxophone Quartet prepares for weekend jazz concerts with an Allen Hall recital on WBFO this week.By Bill Raffel, WBFO
Buffalo, NY – The Amherst Saxophone Quartet turns to jazz as part of its 25th anniversary season. Good morning. I'm Bill Raffel with Music Notes.
The ASQ recorded this rag Eubie Dubie 23 years ago. And it's one of two Eubie Blake rags which will close the quartet's next set of concerts, including one in our Allen Hall Auditorium this Thursday (2/20) at 8 p.m.
The opening work is a concerto for saxophone quartet by Philip Glass which the composer arranged for saxophone quartet without orchestra. And Tenor Saxophonist Steve Rosenthal calls it an exercise in endurance.
Yes, the Amherst Saxophone Quartet should sound great on WBFO Thursday (2/20) at 8 p.m. But they'll sound even better if you come see them live in our Allen Hall Auditorium on UB's Main Street Campus. It's free. You can also catch the ASQ Friday (2/21) at 7:30 p.m. in Westminster Presbyterian Church on Delaware near Summer, and a week from tonight (Monday, 2/24) in the Ujima Company's Theatreloft on Elmwood, starting at 8:00 p.m. Thanks to Steve Rosenthal for joining us today.
Also this week, the Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble will feature "A Striking Fusion of World, Jazz, and New Music" Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Tralfamadore Cafe downtown.
Pianist Mark Lungershausen gives a free half-hour recital Friday at 12:30 p.m. in Saint Paul's Cathedral downtown.
The Village Ringers Handbell Ensemble visits the First Baptist Church of Niagara Falls, Sunday (2/23) at 3:00 p.m.
Finally, the Amherst Symphony presents "Bach, Beethoven, Benny, and Beyond" including Bach's Toccata in D Minor, movements from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, a tribute to Benny Goodman, and a Star Wars Medley. That's free Sunday (2/23) at 7 p.m. in the Amherst Middle School on Kings Highway, with the Williamsville North Jazz Ensemble on stage at 6:15 p.m.