(CONSORTIUM, NO SCORE) Sonata for Baritone Saxophone and Piano

CONSORTIUM, Score Available February 31st 2026.

Program Note:

Sonata for Baritone Saxophone and Piano

The first movement, Le Cœur Reste Là-Bas (“The Heart Stays Back There”), opens with a jaunty, old jazz-inspired theme. It’s a bit cheesy, but it represents what I love so much about where I’m from. This playful melody soon gives way to a lyrical, romantic voice—tinged with sorrow—symbolizing the incredibly complex mix of emotions that comes with leaving your home and childhood behind. The saxophone soars in its upper register, sings in tender lyricism, and closes in a gentle reflection.

The second movement, Le Feu du Bayou (“Fire of the Bayou”), is a statement of fierce pride and love for Louisiana. It draws on the energy of a second line brass band, filled with groove, exuberance, and pyrotechnic virtuosity. Famous New Orleans tunes flicker through the texture, honoring the culture and legacy of my roots. The fiery ending symbolizes that my heritage is not fading or disappearing, but continuing to grow.

The third movement, Une Colombe sur les Chênes Lointains (“A Dove on Distant Oaks”), begins with a meditative piano cadenza and unfolds into a hymn-like melody inspired by Psalm 56. Here, the saxophone and piano share moments of serenity, soaring lines, and soulful expression. A passionate cadenza leads into a recapitulation of the opening hymn, now enriched with jazz inflections and bursts of melody. This movement serves as a reminder that home is no longer a physical place for me, but something I carry in spirit.

Taken together, the sonata is a portrait of distance, memory, and identity. It is both a love letter to Louisiana and an acceptance that, while it is no longer where I live, my roots will always remain a part of me and my music.