The Assembly Quartet – (from left) Jeffrey Heisler, Ian Jeffress, Matthew Younglove and Adam Estes – have a new album out featuring reimagined arrangements of several saxophone compositions. Estes is an associate professor of music at the University of Mississippi. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
Adam Estes celebrates fifth published album, ‘(Re)Mix’
A University of Mississippi music professor has released a new album featuring reimagined arrangements with professional chamber music ensemble the Assembly Quartet.
Adam Estes, associate professor of music, plays baritone saxophone on “(Re)Mix,” which is available for sale as either a digital album or compact disc by label AMP Recordings.
“This album came about because we were looking to explore possibilities of repertoire for the saxophone quartet-plus genre that includes soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone plus other instruments that can include piano, percussion, both or other instruments,” Estes said.
Joining Estes in the quartet are:
- Jeffrey Heisler, an associate professor at Oakland University, on soprano saxophone
- Ian Jeffress, an associate professor at Western Carolina University, on alto saxophone
- Matthew Younglove, an assistant professor at Tennessee Technological University, on tenor saxophone.
The album title has two meanings, Estes said.
“The first comes from one of the works recorded by Avner Dorman, titled ‘Jerusalem Mix,'” he said. “Because we took this work and arranged it to fit our group, we call the arrangement ‘Jerusalem (Re)Mix.’
“The other meaning refers to the fact that all three works on this album are reimagined arrangements from their original instrumentation.”
The recorded pieces are Dorman’s Jerusalem “(Re)Mix Quintet” for saxophone quartet and piano, “Quintet” for saxophone quintet and piano by Alfred Schnittke and “Original Blend” by Bill Ryan. Guest artists are renowned pianist I-Chen Yeho and Colin Hill, director of Tennessee Tech University‘s School of Music, on drums.
The Assembly Quartet has residencies in schools in North Dakota, South Carolina, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The group engages with public schools and other audiences that have limited experience with chamber music, Estes said.
They have also performed with the Florence Symphony Orchestra, Motor City Symphony Orchestra, Lafayette-Oxford-University Orchestra, Oxford and University Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and Minot Symphony Orchestra.
This is Estes’ fifth album, the third with Assembly Quartet, and his second on the AMP Recordings label.
“Publishing albums on recording labels is significant creative activity for performance faculty at academic institutions,” said Estes, who maintains an active schedule as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestra musician at venues in Scotland, Ireland, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and other places.
Funding for the “(Re)Mix” project came from a College of Liberal Arts Research and Creative Activity Grant, the Department of Music and the UM Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, with additional support from Oakland University and Tennessee Tech University.
“Dr. Estes is a stellar teaching artist, and the work of the Assembly Quartet is impressive,” said Nancy Maria Balach, chair of the Ole Miss music department. “UM music has had the pleasure of hosting the group on campus and experience their brilliant artistry in person.
“This album will allow a broader audience to enjoy the Assembly Quartet and become a great addition to any music collection.”
By Elaine Abadie
