Formed in 1987, The New Hudson Saxophone Quartet possesses a rare combination: a dedication to playing a diversity of American music combined with a beautiful, blending saxophone sound. Their repertoire can range from newly commissioned works by Robert Kyr, David Noon, Elias Tanenbaum and Dexter Morrill, to music by 19th-century American composer Caryl Florio and to classic Hollywood Sax Quartet versions of popular song standards. Deeply involved with education, the four members are on the faculty of Manhattan School of Music,, New York University, Rutgers, William Paterson University and Montclair State University, and regularly are asked to present residencies and master classes as part of their annual touring schedule.

The members of the Quartet all are veteran chamber musicians and accomplished soloists, with credits that include the Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, The Absolute Ensemble, and the Kirov and Juilliard Orchestras, as well as jazz musicians Clark Terry, James Moody, Muhal Richard Abrams and Milt Hinton. They bring their widely varied experiences toward a dedication to beautiful ensemble, a pure sound, and the ability to play in all stylistic genres.

The New Hudson Saxophone Quartet is dedicated to performing and expanding the American repertoire for saxophone quartet. Of the NHSQ Fanfare Magazine writes, “The perfection of the ensemble they have achieved is astonishing. In matters of intonation, phrasing, articulation, and interpretive insight they equal the finest of our currently performing string quartets.”
The Saxophone Journal writes, “The New Hudson Saxophone Quartet in their latest release, The American Muse, delivers to the listener a celebration of A Century of American Music for Saxophone Quartet. The results of these four musicians combining their musical talents are simply breathtaking. Their combined timbres blend beautifully with subtle nuances that thoroughly excite the ear. Their technique is excellent and exhibits a tight and intuitive sense of ensemble. The articulation is clean, clear, and precise. The New Hudson Quartet is a winner, and The American Muse a fascinating CD and a welcome addition to anyone’s collection.”
The NHSQ repertoire ranges from newly commissioned works by Robert Kyr, Robert Sirota, David Noon, Elias Tanenbaum and Dexter Morrill; to classic American works for saxophone quartet by composers such as Elliot Carter, Lukas Foss, and Alec Wilder; to classic Hollywood Sax Quartet versions of popular song standards.
The members of the Quartet all are veteran chamber musicians and accomplished soloists, with credits that include the Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Absolute Ensemble, the Kirov and Juilliard Orchestras, as well as jazz musicians Clark Terry, James Moody, Muhal Richard Abrams, and Milt Hinton. They bring their widely varied experiences toward a dedication to beautiful ensemble, a pure sound, and the ability to play in all stylistic genres.
The NHQ has appeared with the Charleston Symphony, Long Island Philharmonic, and Greenwich (CT) Symphony. In 1997, they collaborated with conductor Lawrence Leighton Smith in the New York premiere of Nicolas Flagello’s Concerto Sinfonico for Saxophone Quartet and Orchestra. In 2006 Naxos released the World Premiere recoding of Flagello’s Concerto Sinfonico performed by the NHSQ and the Rutgers University Orchestra led by Kynan Johns. The NHSQ has also performed the world premiere of the wind ensemble version of Flagello’s Concerto with the University of Houston Wind Ensemble and most recently with the Hanover Wind Symphony and Montclair State University Wind Ensemble. The NHSQ has appeared as soloists with the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra at Merkin Hall performing Calvin Hampton’s Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Chamber Orchestra and have recorded that work slated for release in 2010 on the Helicon label.
The NHQ is active in expanding the saxophone quartet repertoire, and has commissioned and premiered over twenty new works by established and emerging composers including Elias Tannenbaum, Eric Ewazen, David Noon, Dexter Morrill, Robert Kyr, Robert Sirota, Alan Brings, Steve Cohen, David MacDonald, Barbara Jazwinski, Fred Cohen, Ron Mazurek, Steven Rosenhaus, and Harold Oliver.
The members of the NHSQ are committed eductators and serve on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, NYU, William Paterson University, C.U.N.Y. Queens Aaron Copland School of Music, Montclair State University, Rutgers University, and C.W. Post Long Island University. The NHSQ has presented clinics and master classes at schools and universities throughout the country including the Manhattan School of Music, Tulane University, University of Houston, Brooklyn College, and the NHSQ is Ensemble-in-Residence at NYU.
The NHSQ has recorded as soloists with the Manhattan Philharmonia, the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, and Rutgers University Orchestra. They were featured on the widely recognized Arizona University Recordings CD America’s Millennium Tribute to Adolphe Sax. Their first solo CD The American Muse: A Century of American Works for Saxophone Quartet is available on Eclectra Records.

Paul Cohen, Avi Goldrosen, David Demsey, Tim Ruedeman

Contact
New Hudson Saxophone Quartet
Paul Cohen
Paulcohen.saxo@gmail.com
201-287-1872