Album Release: ALCHEMY

After two years of fundraising, rehearsing, recording, editing, negotiation, and anticipation, I am pleased to share that my debut album, ALCHEMY, is now available! Performed in collaboration with pianist and composer Benjamin Nylander, ALCHEMY presents a curated selection of new music by established and emerging composers alike. This is a significant release for 2022 showcasing world premiere recordings of the best new music for saxophone and piano performed by Duo Aurous.

Tracks include:

1. John Anthony Lennon: Distances Within Me (1979)

2. Marilyn Shrude: Lacrimosa (2006, premiere recording)

3. Mischa Zupko: Simple Song (2019, premiere recording)

4. Benjamin Nylander: Body of Water (2022, world premiere and premiere recording)

5. Viet Cuong: Sanctuary (2020, premiere recording)

Digital downloads are available TODAY through Clarinet & Saxophone Classic Recordings, CDs ship in 1-2 weeks, and streaming closer to November.

Some crucial acknowledgments:

• Thanks to my wife Kenzie Heaney for her unending emotional support, partnership, and audience throughout the realization of this project.

• Thanks to John Sampen, Marilyn Shrude, and Michael Laurello for their continuing advice and keen artistic guidance throughout planning, recording, and production.

• Thanks to Dean Bill Mathis and Bowling Green State University for providing the use of Bryan Recital Hall.

• This recording was funded in part by the MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music at the College of Musical Arts of Bowling Green State University and the BGSU College of Musical Arts Student Professional Development Fund.

• Recording Engineering and Editing: Robbie Dunham.

• Mastering: Willowhayne Records

• Artwork: Hannah Jacoby-Brooks

Click the link and give ALCHEMY a listen, TODAY!

Review: Backun Vocalise TM1 & TM2 Alto Saxophone Mouthpieces

Today, I’m happy to share my review on the brand new Backun Vocalise TM1 & TM2 mouthpieces! Many thanks to Meridian Winds for supplying the review copies.

These mouthpieces were designed in a collaboration with soloist Timothy McAllister, mouthpiece craftsperson Richard Hawkins, and Backun Musical Company. These mouthpieces were made to fit the needs of students and professionals alike and promise high consistency of manufacture. A point of interest is the custom chamber and throat design!

While the TM2 was more to my preference than the TM1, both were well-made and responded easily to air and articulation. Check out my full thoughts below:

D'Addario Venn Generation 2.0 Synthetic Saxophone Reed Review

D'Addario Woodwinds are back at at it again with the latest iteration of the Venn Generation 2.0 Advanced Synthetic Reed for alto saxophone! The latest version of the Venn has amazing improvements and offers the most cane-like experience of a synthetic reed I have experienced so far. Improvements are largely due to removing the 1st generation’s protective film on the table, selecting a new stronger fiber material, and refinements to the resin. I also noticed changes to the cut of the reeds themselves, although this was not noted in the official white paper that I received from D’Addario Woodwinds. Finally, the latest generation of Venn’s are designed to run more true to strength, as opposed to the 1st gen which tended to run very stuff.

The Venn Generation 2.0 to be the most cane-like synthetic reed that I have ever tried. Compared to Légère Signature reeds, I found the Venn had more projection, body, and ring to the sound. On the other hand, the Légère’s are capable of more quiet playing, particularly in the lower register. I also found Légères to be a little more consistent from one reed to the next, although I am sure Venn will continue to improve in this regard. Thankfully, unlike Légères, D’Addario says that the Venn reed can safely be worked on with sandpaper and other reed working methods.

Be sure to check out my video with playing samples, below, and tell me what you hear!