Monday, December 19, 2005
A joyful NOISE

Tonight we performed Phil Kline's Unsilent Night in Tucson's First Annual boom box Christmas parade--an event that, judging by this year's enthusiasm, will only get better and more exciting each time. We had a good crowd--filled out by several youngsters and three very fanatical four-legged groupies--and could have been confused for an angry mob walking down the street had it not been for the ethereal sounds emanating from our boom boxes. This evening's festivities began as we gathered outside of Centennial Hall just as another large crowd was loitering outside, waiting for the performance of Oklahoma! to begin inside. Tapes and CDs were distributed, directions were given, and the we pushed PLAY. What a sound. Those waiting for the musical turned around to stare and wonder what the hell we were doing! But it seemed like they were enjoying the music--and perhaps secretly wishing they'd brought their boom box so they could ditch the musical. Their loss, I say. The journey down University Ave was fraught with strange looks here and there but then always a smile as we passed by. On 4th Ave we were invited inside a grocery store to parade around the aisles but denied access to Che's Lounge by the bouncer despite some of the patrons' passionate pleas. It was a very beautiful event and everyone had a great time making a really big noise. Thanks to everybody who came out.

Praised by The New York Times as "an inventive musician . . . fresh and surprising," saxophonist Brian Sacawa has firmly established himself as an important contemporary voice for his instrument. He is active as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician throughout the United States and is the co-founder of the new music duo Non-Zero with percussionist Timothy Feeney.

He has given premieres of over thirty works by both established and emerging composers, including Michael Gordon, Bright Sheng, Andrew Mead, Oliver Schneller, Ken Ueno, Beata Moon, Hillary Zipper, and Scott McAllister, among many others. Named the Baltimore CITYPAPER’s Critic’s Choice for Classical Music in 2002, he is the recipient of awards for solo performance from both national and international competitions.

Sacawa's versatile career has led to appearances with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, Harvard Group for New Music, New Music Brandeis, Bargemusic, and at meetings of the ISU Contemporary Music Festival, World Saxophone Congress, North American Saxophone Alliance, and New England Saxophone Symposium.

Brian holds degrees from the University of Michigan, the Peabody Conservatory, and the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, where he studied with Donald Sinta, Gary Louie, and Lynn Klock. He has recorded for the Equililbrium, Naxos, and BiBimBop recording labels.

See Brian's other blog
Sounds Like Now