Saxophonist to perform for Ramona Concert Association on Saturday

By Marlene Robershaw

Ramona Concert Association will present distinguished saxophonist Ashu with piano accompaniment at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21.

The concert will be in the Charles R. Nunn Performing Arts Center at the Olive Peirce Middle School at 1521 Hanson Lane. The school’s Community Outreach Brass Ensemble (CORE) will entertaining during a pre-concert starting at 7 p.m.

At age 26, Ashu has established an extraordinary ability to communicate with audiences through his charismatic performance style on the concert saxophone. Critics have raved that he’s “just as much fun to watch as he is to listen to” (Dallas Morning News) and “he is musical passion personified.” (Vision Magazine)

Born and raised in California, he began playing the saxophone at age 10. His recital debut, at age 16, was in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, and his concerto debut with orchestra took place at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

Since then, solo performances have taken him to Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Portugal, West Indies, Australia and New Zealand as well as the United States. He has also been featured on NBC, CBS, and National Public Radio.

Ashu has been the first-place winner of countless national and international competitions, awards and scholarships. He has toured as concerto soloist with symphony orchestras throughout the world and has been presented on numerous prestigious recital series, with recent venues including the Vienna Konzerthaus, New York’s Central Park and La Jolla Music Society Series.

He earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in saxophone performance from Northwestern University and is currently based in the Chicago area.

Doors open for seating at 7 p.m. This is Ramona Concert Association’s third concert of the season. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $15 for adults and $5 for children.

For more information, call 760-789-7474 or 760-788-0434 or check the website at ramonaconcerts.com.