Doug Masek

Internationally renowned saxophonist DOUGLAS MASEK whose performances have emphasized versatility in a wide range of musical styles, from classical and contemporary to jazz, have consistently garnered critical acclaim. The Los Angeles Times “...playing is smooth, sinuous, stunning, stylish, dazzling, and glowing with the requisite rich color.” The Daily Review in Oakland, California, wrote that “Masek plays with dazzling virtuosity”, while The Outlook in Santa Monica, California, declared that “Masek’s performance was marvelous...his control was almost uncanny...extraordinary musicianship”. Pamina Concerts in Barcelona, Spain, adds that “Masek’s playing is always exquisite and full of feeling and musicality”. In South Africa, The Argus wrote “Masek”s tone: beautiful and pure” and the Cape Times added “dynamic and magical”.

With extensive concert touring in the United States, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and South America, He has also performed as soloist at the Singapore Sun Festival, American Music Festival in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, the China International Music Festival(Beijing), the Aspen Music Festival, Ojai Music Festival, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Idyllwild Arts Academy, and extensive performing throughout the Far East. Additional performances include featured solo appearances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Pasadena Pops Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony, Symphony in the Glen, New West Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Los Angeles Opera Company, Long Beach Opera, Ostgota Symphony(Sweden), orchestras in South Africa include: The Cape Town Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Free State Symphony, KwaZulu-Natal Symphony, Transvaal Philharmonic Orchestra, Transylvania Philharmonic Orchestra in Romania., and played to rave reviews as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s New Music Group, performing Franco Donatoni’s “Hot”, with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting.

Having received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College- Conservatory of Music, and his MM degree from The Ohio State University, Dr. Masek completed his academic education with a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Southern California. Currently Professor of Saxophone at UCLA, and in much demand as a master teacher, Douglas is also a Vandoren Elite Artist, and Conn-Selmer Artist, performing and lecturing internationally at schools, colleges, and universities.

Douglas has also recorded for Centaur, Albany, Cambria, Atlantic, Koch International, Stereophile, Summit, Novana, and Philips Classics recording companies. Additionally, he has performed on motion picture sound tracks for Sony, Warner, Paramount, Universal, Disney and 20th Century, along with television and radio broadcasts.

Having premiered dozens of compositions written exclusively for him, Masek's discography includes seven CD solo collections; Distant Memories, Windwood, Recrudescence, Saxvoir Faire, Saxtronic Soundscape, Saxophone Alternative, and EclectSax. The latter three cds, which are produced by Centaur Records, feature compositions of Los Angeles composers.

He has performed with notable conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Kent Nagano, Placido Domingo, John Mauceri, Andre Previn, Michael-Tilson Thomas, Leonard Slatkin, Jorge Mester, James Conlan, David Robertson, Carl St.Clair, Valery Gergiev, Valery Ryvkin, Jeffrey Kahane, Nir Kabaretti, Giselle Ben-Dor, Rachael Worby, JoAnn Falletta, Marin Alsop, Enrique Arturo Diemecke, Arthur Rubinstein, Grant Gershon, Richard Cock, Carlo Franci, Hubert Soudant, Paul Freeman, Allan Stephenson, Chris Dowdeswell, Bernhard Gueller, and Reinbert De Leeuw. In addition, he has also worked on motion picture sounds tracks for John Williams, Randy Newman, David Newman, Howard Shore, Bruce Broughton, Alex North, John Barry, Basil Poledouris, Alan Silvestri, Carter Burwell, Randy Edelman, Mark Watters, and others.

You can learn more about Douglas Masek and hear sound samples at his website: www.dougmasek.com