Steven Banks & Xak Bjerken: Beethoven, Barber & Blues

STELLAR SAXOPHONIST WITH PASSIONATE PIANIST

A charismatic ambassador for the classical saxophone, CMNW Protégé Project Alumnus Steven Banks (Kenari Saxophone Quartet) returns to Portland this season with the dynamic pianist Xak Bjerken for an intimate recital. Winner of the prestigious 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Banks captivates audiences with his balance of refined lyricism and virtuosic flair. Traversing classical, contemporary, and popular repertoire, Banks and Bjerken will perform baritone saxophone works by Beethoven, Barber, Saint-Saëns, and John Musto’s Shadow of the Blues for an utterly unique evening of music.

Program

SAINT-SAËNS Bassoon Sonata in G Major, Op. 168/R. 148
JOHN MUSTO “Shadow of the Blues”
BEETHOVEN 7 Variations on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen,” WoO 46
SAMUEL BARBER Cello Sonata in C Minor, Op. 6
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Steven Banks, saxophone
Xak Bjerken, piano