NEW “BIRDS OF PARADISE” RECORDING
This new recording from Tonsehen Records features my new sax concerto Birds of Paradise. This terrific performance by the Arkansa Tech University Symphonic Wind Ensemble with Nathan Mensink, soloist, and Dr. Daniel Belongia, conducting is available now on all streaming platforms. Visit Tonsehen Records for many great recordings at: www.tonsehen.com
Here’s the 1st movement of 3 on YouTube:
“… a marvelously colorful and evocative work, and a terrific addition to the repertoire for the saxophone. The work creates a powerful. emotional impact on players and listeners, as was witnessed in the 2025 Calgary premiere. The saxophone theme of the second movement, “Caged Birds,” is among the most winsome and fetching I have ever performed, while the virtuoso passages in the first and third movements, “Rare Birds” and “Free Birds,” are fluid, natural, and wild.
~ Jeremy Brown, Professor of Music, Saxophone Soloist, The University of Calgary
“As a soloist, I found it challenging and it gave me things to work on that I had not encountered before — it pushed me and I was glad for that. We found many details with some truly unique sounds. Bits of Trane and Chick, even a bit of Bird. I enjoyed the range of emotions given to the soloist: at various times it whispers, sings, screams, floats, soars, or dives, but it always emotes …”
~ Dr. William Hochkeppel, Retired Director of Bands/Professor of Saxophone, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
“… a significant, profound, and beautiful new work that combines elements of virtuosic sax technique with nuanced and intimately quiet moments. The music evokes vivid intrigue, excitement, joy, and sadness in this essay celebrating the late 20th century jazz masters while simultaneously noting the challenges and difficulties that were a part of their lives.”
~ Dr. Daniel Belongia, Director of Bands, Arkansas Tech University