Meet Zzyzx

The Zzyzx Quartet, comprising soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone sax, exemplifies the happy development of the instrument in the excellence of their playing, the quality of their repertoire, and their synthesis as a quartet. Watching them is like watching a well-directed string section whose bows move in unison; the members of Zzyzx breathe simultaneously, their voices swelling together or seamlessly trading over an undulating sea of sound.” – Judy Myers, City Arts Magazine NYC

Formed in 2007, the Zzyzx Quartet has presented performances throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as numerous masterclasses and workshops across the continental United States. The quartet has been a featured performer at the World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg, France, the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, and with the South Dakota State and Montclair University Wind Ensembles. Committed to the advancement of saxophone quartet repertoire, Zzyzx has commissioned and premiered new works by composers including Carlos Simon, John Mackey, David Maslanka, Sarah Gibson, Marc Mellits, Mischa Zupko, David Rakowski, John Leszczynski, Elliott Bark, Laura Kramer, Armando Bayolo, and Jonathan Sokol. As a result of this dedication to new music, Zzyzx was invited to serve as adjudicators for the prestigious Barlow Endowment, and was dedicatee of the new work, Awake, Alive, Amok, Ajar, by endowment winner Ben Hjertmann.

Each of its members are award-winning soloists, having received top prizes in prestigious national and international competitions including the Gaudeamus International Competition, Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, William Byrd International Competition, North American Saxophone Alliance Competition, MTNA Young Artist Competition, Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition, and the Carmel Music Society Instrumental Competition.

The quartet has released two full-length albums, “Zzyzx Road” and “Intersections,” which are available on all major streaming platforms. Its members hold prestigious performing and teaching positions within the West Point Academy Concert Band, United States Navy Band, “Pershing’s Own” Army Concert Band, The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music, and Montclair State University.

Zzyzx Quartet is a Yamaha Performing Artist, and a D’Addario Performing Artist.