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Presidio Saxophone Quartet
The Presidio Saxophone Quartet plays with a level of refinement that characterizes the very best chamber ensembles. This seasoned quartet performs with technical fluency, rhythmic exactitude, elegant phrasing, and a broad dynamic palette. The result is an unforgettable musical experience.
Hailing from the beautiful Sonoran Desert surrounding Tucson, Arizona, the Presidio Quartet has delighted international audiences with their wonderful banter and provocative performances since 1998. Their blend, intonation, and musical sensitivity are really world class (Tucson Citizen) and they possess a unified sound characterized by a warm vibrato and large dynamic range (Australian Clarinet and Saxophone Magazine). Presidio formed as the pilot group of the Camerata Career Development Program at the University of Arizona, where each member received advanced degrees in music. Since then, the ensemble has achieved distinction in the concert hall by presenting consistently acclaimed concerts and workshops throughout the United States and Mexico. Presidio has also enjoyed sponsorship from the American Composers Forum and appeared as guest artists at national saxophone and music educator's conventions.
Presidio is comfortable in every genre of music from classical to jazz, to backing the Temptations in a recent Tucson performance. In addition to their insightful interpretations of standard repertoire, they strive to program music by living composers and have premiered works by James DeMars, Kip Haaheim, Drew Krause, Graham Lynch, Andersen Viana and Jay Vosk, among others. To date PSQ has released two CDs. Their self titled debut album The Presidio Saxophone Quartet and recent release Allegro de Concert have both received positive critical acclaim. They have also been featured on two volumes of the AUR recording label's series America's Millennium Tribute to Adolphe Sax performing standard repertoire as well as two premiere recordings of Kip Haaheim's The Clinging Fire and Judith Lang Zaimont's Parallel Play. Most recently, several of Presidio's recordings have been selected for release on QL Music's Living with the Classics to be released in Europe in the Fall of 2008.
Presidio Quartet's over arching goal is simple: to enjoy and perpetuate a distinctive heritage of concert saxophone performance. Lauded for their varied and entertaining programming, Presidio draws from a very unique and imaginative saxophone quartet repertoire. Invariably, a Presidio concert will include dazzling French masterworks, more adventurous contemporary American fare, and numerous fun and familiar works such as a medley from George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess or an organ fugue by J. S. Bach. The music of this remarkable combination of soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones is sure to resonate with audiences of diverse tastes and backgrounds.
"What a tremendous evening! Their blend, intonation, and musical sensitivity are really world class. Hats off to the Presidio Saxophone Quartet."
(Tucson Citizen, AZ)
"They are amazingly musical, refreshingly in tune, swing hard, and have a fabulous sound." (Jeff Haskell, Jazz Studies Director, University of Arizona)
"Presidio brings heaven to earth. A delight for mind, heart, and spirit."
(Sanda Schuldmann, Tucson Jazz Society Ex. Dir.)
"The Presidio Saxophone Quartet play with a sense of purpose that enables them to carry off their repertoire. They wear their hearts on their sleeves, alternating vigorous dance style with folksong simplicity and always with attention to detail....Humorous and lively, they display great discipline of intonation and ensemble."
(Australian Clarinet and Saxophone Magazine)
"A quartet that produces exciting, smooth, and pleasant music which appeals to a wide variety of audiences; professional in every respect. They have appeared on our series twice and have received standing ovations on both occasions."
(Herbert F. Egender, Chairman, Tucson Jazz Society, presenter)
"A gem in the desert. The ensemble offers a little known repertoire that is varied and delightful, and played with professional level artistry. An extraordinary group." (Gregg I. Hanson, Director of Bands, University of Arizona)
"Clarity, energy, and beauty....and just plain fun."
(Robert McConnell, Music Director, Southwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra)
"Four of the most poised and talented young musicians we have heard. At the restaurant after the performance, everyone recognized them and cheered and clapped again!" (Barbara Schofield, Performing Arts Council, San Carlos, Mexico)
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