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Performing
together for twenty years, this ensemble has just returned from their second very
successful tour of China where they performed for huge audiences, and were broadcast
nationally. Known for their rich harmonies and refined sounds, they can be heard
on Voice of America. The Washington Saxophone Quartet has proved to its audiences
what Europeans have known for decades: the saxophone is a versatile instrument,
capable of the widest range of musical ideas. Their performances evoke the refined
sounds of a string quartet, the rich harmonies of an organ prelude, and the excitement
of a jazz sax section. The individual members of the
WSAXQ have toured in Europe and the United States as soloists with orchestras
and military bands, as recitalists in concert halls, and as performers with leading
jazz and show business personalities. WSAXQ records with Americus and Mapleshade
records. WSAXQ members, all with graduate degrees in
music, are Reginald Jackson, Soprano; James Steele, Alto; Rich Kleinfeldt, Tenor;
and Rick Parrell, Baritone. - "The
members of the Washington Saxophone Quartet...serve notice to
- composers
wishing to explore fresh chamber settings, they need look no
- further...the
playing was expert!" - The Washington Post
-
- "The
Washington Saxophone Quartet offered an outstanding
- performance."
- (China) Peoples' Daily
- "The
Washington Saxophone Quartet showed the astonishing range of sounds and moods
of which the saxophone is capable."
- - The
Honorable Andre Adam, the Belgian Ambassador
ABOUT
THE QUARTET The members of the Washington
Saxophone Quartet (WSAXQ), in addition to holding graduate degrees in music, have
diverse musical backgrounds and experiences. Individually, they have toured in
Europe and the United States as soloists with orchestras and military bands, as
recitalists in concert halls, and as performers with leading jazz and show business
personalities:
SOPRANO SAXOPHONE
Reginald Jackson is
professor of saxophone at the University of Maryland. He has appeared as recitalist
and soloist with orchestras, wind ensembles and military bands throughout the
United States and Europe. After winning first prizes in both solo and chamber
music competitions at the Royal Conservatory in Brussels in 1974, he became the
only saxophonist to record a solo album for the Musical Heritage Society label.
Mr. Jackson has been selected eight times to represent the United States in international
saxophone events in England, France, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and
the U.S.
ALTO SAXOPHONE
James Steele combines a successful
professional business career with saxophone performance. He is the founder of
Strategic Performance, a construction management company based in northern Virginia.
A native of Minneapolis, he received his Bachelor of Music Education from the
University of Minnesota. After moving to Washington, D.C., he performed withThe
United States Army Band until 1975. He is active in his church orchestra and solos
regularly. He helps his wife Esther teach music to their seven children. Mr. Steele
holds a Master of Music degree from Catholic University of America and an MBA
from Virginia Tech.
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Rich Kleinfeldt enjoys
a variety of experiences as an international broadcaster, professional musician
and lecturer. He is currently host of two nationally syndicated radio programs:
Indianapolis-on-the-Air, featuring the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Concerts
from the Library of Congress, with chamber music recitals from Washington. On
the Voice of America, Mr. Kleinfeldt is host of The Concert Hall, a weekly classical
music program broadcast worldwide. A graduate of Millikin University in Decatur,
Illinois, and Catholic University in Washington, D.C., Mr. Kleinfeldt performed
until 1983 with The United States Army Band as saxophone soloist and master of
ceremonies.
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Rick Parrell is an active
performer in jazz and classical music, as well as a teacher. He earned his Bachelor
of Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees from George Mason University in Fairfax,
Virginia, and his Master of Music from North Texas State University in Denton.
He taught for one year at North Texas State and came to Washington, D.C. Currently
he is saxophone soloist with The United States Army Band and professor of music
at George Mason University. In addition to his performances with The Army Band
and other area ensembles, Mr. Parrell has appeared with such notable jazz artists
as Lee Konitz, Gary Foster and Rich Matteson. He is a recording artist on the
Maple Shade label.
"Thank
you for all of your assistance on the 53rd Presidential Inaugural. Your efforts
made a real contribution to the success of the Inaugural, and I am grateful to
you." President Bill Clinton
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