For over thirty years, Lenoir Sax has been breaking the rules and making its presence known in the field of chamber music. They stand between the worlds of the old and the new presenting well-known melodies in a new format for audiences throughout the area.
With performances throughout the Southeastern United States and Europe, Lenoir Sax offers the modern sound of the American saxophone quartet as first defined by the Hollywood Saxophone Quartet. Concerts include music from sources as varied as medieval chant to modern pop with a little bit of everything in between.
The group specializes in chamber jazz. Wikipedia defines chamber jazz:
Chamber jazz is a genre of jazz involving small, acoustic-based ensembles where group interplay is important. It is influenced aesthetically by musical neoclassicism and is often influenced by classical forms of Western music as well as non-Western music or culture. That stated, in many cases the influence is traditional Celtic music, Central European folk music, or Latin American music instead.
Being based in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the quartet embraces its roots and includes the music of various folk tunes, hymns, as well as the cool jazz of the 1950s and world music from all around the globe.
Robert received his musical training in the Lenoir High School Band, a famed, conservatory-based program whose alumni include numerous professional musicians (such as Joseph Robinson, principal oboe of the New York Philharmonic).
Michael received degrees from Brevard College and is a published composer & arranger. He has performed with major artists such as The Temptations, Chris Vadala, Lenny Pickett, Ernie Watts, Barbara McNair, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Hansgen, Tom Constanten, Artemis Pyle, to name a few.
Luke studied Music and Biology at Western Carolina University and has performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. He has also had the opportunity to perform alongside Bob Sheppard. When he is not playing the saxophone, you’ll likely find him outdoors engaging with the natural world through recreation or his work in horticulture.
John is a graduate of Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music and George Peabody Teacher’s School. He balances his professional time between his middle school Band and several regional ensembles on both clarinet and saxophone. His versatility finds him playing anything from concert band settings to backyard parties. His most significant role, however, is as father to his two children, Henry and Mae.
Based in the greater Hickory and Asheville area