Saxtravaganza!

July 21, 2007

What is "Saxtravanaga"? It is the culmination of a week-long workshop featuring an all-saxophone ensemble comprised of 20-plus saxophone players. Friends and students of saxophone instructor Kathleen Maxwell, aka "the saxophone lady", come together each year to put on and perform in the all-sax concert. They held their 8th annual event Saturday evening July 21st at the Hart High Auditorium in Newhall, California.

With Saxtravaganza, Maxwell is attempting to recreate the large saxophone ensembles of yesteryear. Back then, she says, it was common to have saxophone orchestras as large as 100 members strong.

Twenty saxophonists ranging in ability from 13-year-old student to seasoned professional filled the stage. Six of the 7 members of the saxophone family were represented, from tiny sopranino all the way to big, bad, bass saxophone. A few members doubled on alto sax and soprano. However, the most impressive doubler was Cindy, who played the sopranino on a couple of selections, then ran to the back row to play baritone sax for the remaining tunes.

Hart High's auditorium's acoustics were sufficient enough that no amplification was necessary. Unfortunately, they did chose to amplify the group and an annoying ringing feedback emanated from the sound system throughout most of the performance.

Other than that, the performance went well. Director Maxwell had chosen a variety of styles to showcase what an all-saxophone ensemble of this size can do. Selections ranged from ragtime to marches to classical to contemporary. Each piece found different saxophones functioning in different ways. One piece might find the soprano saxes taking on the role of a clarinet. The next song may find the bass playing the role of an upright string bass. Yet another might find the altos impersonating violins.

The group blended well together. The balance was such that even during ensemble parts, each type of saxophone could be discerned. Even the tenors, who were greatly outnumbered by the altos, could be heard.

Ending on a contemporary note, the group played the theme from "The Incredilbles", freshly arranged for them by baritone saxophonist Darrin Smith. Maxwell told the audience that Smith had just delivered the chart to them the Wednesday prior to the concert.

Maxwell plans to bring the ensemble back next year. All sax players, young, old, student, and advanced are urged to try out. Visit the Saxtravaganza website for more details (dates not current but all other information is). See photos of the event here.