saxophone

Saxophonist and composer Daniel Bennett first showed interest in his instrument when his sister brought him to see a high school jazz ensemble when he was nine years old. Now he's an active performer on the New York jazz scene; his ensemble the Daniel Bennett Group was recently voted “Best New Jazz Group” at the New York Hot House Awards.

Listen to Project Fusion, a dynamic young saxophone quartet, when they chatted with Classical Coffeehouse Host Debra Lew Harder and performed LIVE on WRTI. A winner of Astral's 2015 National Auditions, Project Fusion has captured top prizes in prestigious chamber music competitions; the ensemble's concerts have been described as “joyful celebrations.”

Decades ago, jazz on television may have been restricted to the occasional theme song or even an appearance by Ella Fitzgerald on a talk show. But, as WRTI’s Maureen Malloy reports, someone else now joins the big names of the past.

In its 32 year history, the PRISM Quartet has commissioned over 250 new pieces, and in doing so, re-defined the saxophone quartet itself. As the Philadelphia Inquirer's David Patrick Stearns reports, this summer, they're forging unprecedented relationships with ensembles near and far.