Kites Over Havana

2017 release. For all that it has done in the world of jazz, blues and rock, it is easy to forget that the saxophone was originally created as a classical instrument. The horn met difficulties as it tried to integrate into the symphonic world, not truly fitting into the brass or woodwind sections. The saxophone did meet a true champion in Marcel Mule, who became the true champion of classical saxophone and also the first saxophone quartet, Quatuor de la Garde Républicaine. The concept of creating saxophone ensembles for chamber music grew steadily thereafter. In 1943, Cuban saxophonist Tito D'Rivera established his own saxophone chamber group called Conjunto Sinfónico de Saxofones, which debuted at the National Conservatory in Havana. Over 70 years later, D'Rivera's son, and world famous woodwind master, Paquito D'Rivera is proud to present the Vitral Saxophone Quartet and their recording, Kites Over Havana. The terrific Vitral Saxophone Quartet is composed of four Cuban master saxophonists who all now live in the United States: Oscar Gongora on soprano, Roman Filiu on alto and soprano, Alejandro Rios on alto and tenor and Raul Cordies on baritone saxophone. The recording also features a handful of impressive guests, including Yosvany Terry on tenor and shekere, Dr. Paul Cohen on C melody saxophone, Dr. Adonis Gonzalez on piano and Paquito D'Rivera, himself, on clarinet and soprano saxophone. The compositions presented on Kites Over Havana are a mixture of