SeasonsRecordings
Seasons
(October 2001) is the most recent solo release by Michael Hester. This carefully chosen program represents a cross section of classical styles and time periods, featuring music by composers from Bach and Handel to William Grant Still and Enrique Granados.
Program includes: Intermezzo from Goyescas by E. Granados (Teal), Sonata no. 6 by G.F. Handel (Mule), Caprice en forme de valse P. Bonneau, Croquembouches by C. Delvincourt, Chanson et passepied by J. Rueff, Allemande from Cello Suite no. 1 by J. S. Bach (Kynaston), Romance by William Grant Still, Waltz Suite (Laverne, Lanette and Nadine) by H. Benne Henton (ed. Hester), Prelude, cadence et finale by A. Desenclos.
--As heard on NPR's All Things Considered
"Hester's latest solo disc is typical of his output - eclectic, engaging, spirited and thoroughly delightful...With pianist Marie Sierra, who accompanies much of the disc, he captures both the dark, burlesque wit and Spanish undercurrents of Granados' "Intermezzo" from "Goyescas" along with the irrepressible spirit and sunlit simplicity of Handel's Sonata No. 6. He handles the slippery, virtuosic lines of Paul Bonneau's unaccompanied "Caprice en forme de valse" with the zippy wit of the Marx Brothers, while lending tender lyricism and sentimentality to Still's "Romance for Alto Saxophone and Piano." But the serious work that closes the CD, Alfred Desenclos' "Prelude, cadence et finale" is the showpiece that captures both Hester and Sierra at their best, tightly and flawlessly executing a complex 11 minute score with a sense of urgent excitement. In short, the disc is a beautifully balanced recital played with virtuosity, enthusiasm and stylistic aplomb. In other words, a typical Hester program."
Dan Buckley, Tucson Citizen
"Absolutely first rate in every respect, Michael Hester's latest solo CD should be a 'must hear' for any serious saxophone student or teacher. Delightful music, representing a cross section of classical styles and time periods, that are performed to perfection featuring Hestor's warm tone and sensitive musicianship. Don't Miss This One! "
Walking Frog Records
"Michael Hester's recent CD release, Seasons, is a compilation of music Hester has enjoyed performing throughout his career as a saxophonist....Hester's passion for the music and his talents as an artist is the key to the CD's unity and ultimately to its success. It is a CD that draws you in and keeps you interested because the performers succeed in communicating the essence of the music, regardless of the composer's style and or time period of the music. Just simply sit back and enjoy!"
Frank Bongiorno, Saxophone Journal
*Listen to selections from Seasons and purchase on-line at CD Baby.com
Also available through Smooth Stone Productions, Inc., Walking Frog Records, Van Cott Information services, Inc., Dorn Publications, Inc. and Tap Music. (MJ-96514)
An American Patchwork
Michael Hester's first solo CD (1998) met with praise from critics within and beyond the classical saxophone community. Including original works by noted American composers, An American Patchwork is an important addition to the ongoing tradition of recorded music for the saxophone. This CD was released in September of 1998 and features Shu Gath Manna for alto saxophone and DX7 synthesizer and Saxsounds III (Diminishing Returns) for two alto saxophones and digital delay by Steven Galante, The Seventh Healing Song of John Joseph (Blue) for alto saxophone and tape by James DeMars, Diversions for alto saxophone and marimba by William Penn, The Alex Set for solo saxophone by Daniel Asia and Meditation for alto saxophone and piano by Walter Kaufmann.
"Employng
minimalism, electronic and classical experimentalism and improvisational
freedom, among other contemporary compositional techniques, this
collection of expressive and adventurous pieces for saxophone
dares to push the instrument beyond its popular and comfortable
role in the jazz idiom. With a wider harmonic and melodic
vision for the voice of this distinctive instrument, Michael Hester
pushes the context forward in both tonally-centered and atonal
explorations. If you're a fan, or better yet, a performer of the
saxophone, this album is definitely a must. With razor-sharp technique
and intonation, the flawless performance of these imaginative
tracks allows the listener to engage fully. These works are worthy
of belonging in the standard contemporary repertoire."
CD Baby
"If you've been around Tucson long enough and are a fan of the saxophone, chances are you've sat entranced at some point or another listening to the fluid tones of Michael Hester....his latest solo release, An American Patchwork...is great listening all around, played with impeccable fluency and stylistic versatility."
Dan Buckley, Tucson Citizen
"Michael Hester contributes substantially to recorded music for his instrument....The compositions exploit the saxophone's wide-ranging technical possibilities and tonal colors. They also bring out the best in a virtuoso musician....Hester's horn conquers...a killer CD."
Ken Keuffel, The Arizona Daily Star
"Appropriately named, An American Patchwork, Hester's debut solo disc, explores a wide array of compositional styles and influences present in American contemporary music....requiring the utmost control of subtlety and nuance, which Dr. Hester fluently displays...an excellent performance. Michael Hester's playing on An American Patchwork is superb throughout and the recording quality and artwork is terrific...This recording is highly recommended."
Timothy McAllister, The Saxophone Symposium, The annual journal of the North American Saxophone Alliance, Volume 24, 1999
*Listen to selections from An American Patchwork and purchase on-line at CDBaby.com.
Also available through Smooth Stone Productions, Inc., Van Cott Information Services, Inc. and Dorn Publications . (MJ-9651)
Open Rail
"...grab 'Open Rail' for a 56 minute sonic journey
you'll want to take again and again."
Dan Buckley, Tucson Citizen
*Listen to selections from Open Rail and purchase on-line at CDBaby.com
Sonoran Consort
The Sonoran Consort New Music Ensemble has been described by Daniel Buckley, music critic for the Tucson Citizen, as being "One of the best things that's happened to Tucson in the last five years...". Begun as a way for three friends to practice improvisation, The Sonoran Consort has quickly grown into one of the most innovative new music ensembles in the Southwest. The music this trio performs and records is created through improvisation sessions in the practice and recording studios as well as on the stage. Saxophonist Michael Hester, percussionist Todd Hammes and pianist Bill Campbell are fast becoming leading proponents of classical improvisation. They feel strongly that all musicians can and should experience the joy of creating music.
The Sonoran Consort's first CD (1999) is available at the Sonoran Consort web site and Smooth Stone Productions, Inc. (SC Records-0251)
Native Tapestry
A performance at San Diego State University in 1988 featuring James DeMars on Keyboards, R. Carlos Nakai playing Navajo cedar flutes, saxophonist Michael Hester, African percussion specialist Mark Sunkett and cellist Xiaozhong Zheng began a collaboration which resulted in two very successful CDs. Native Tapestry is the second of these two recordings and was released in 1993 by Canyon Records. R.Carlos Nakai, having sold in excess of three million of his own CDs, joined the already established TOS Ensemble performing music written by James DeMars. Michael Hester is the saxophonist with TOS and Betty Webb, of the Phoenix Tribune stated in a review of this recording that "...Hester's soulful saxophone is stunning...this entire album triumphs."
Native Tapestry is available through Canyon Records and can be found under Nakai in nearly any record store nationwide. (CR-7015)
Spirit Horses
Tower Records Pulse! Magazine listed Spirit Horses as one of the top ten releases in 1991.
"At times uncommonly serene, at other times vigorously alive, the music defies categorization and expectation." Mike Joyce, The Washington Post
"Saxophonist Michael Hester is positively stunning, fluently shifting style with a chameleon's adaptive flair, from cool and classical to volatile and even Klezmer-like...The instrumental prowess displayed throughout is top-notch." Dan Buckley, Tucson Citizen
Spirit Horses is available through Canyon Records and can be found under Nakai in nearly any record store nationwide. (CR-7014)
Masterpieces for
the Saxophone
Yamaha/Delta
Michael Hester appears on the Yamaha artist series, Masterpieces for the Saxophone, with saxophonists Eugene Rousseau, Thomas Walsh, Tom Liley, The West Coast Saxophone Quartet and Leo Potts.
Masterpieces for the Saxophone is available through Delta Records and can be found in most music stores that sell Yamaha band instruments. (Delta-30502)