(lively music) - [Announcer] Tonight on "Expressions," a performance from the Empire Saxophone Quartet.

(lively music continues) (audience clapping) - [Announcer] Funding for this program is provided in part, by the New York State Education Department, and by viewers like you.

Thank you.

(audience clapping) - Hello, and welcome to "Expressions."

I'm your host, Adara Alston.

For this episode, we are pleased to present the Empire Saxophone Quartet.

This group founded by music educators, Steven Mauk and April Lucas, have delighted audiences for over 30 years with their remarkable technical ability and musical diversity.

Their current members are Daniel Miller, Crystal Fisher, Nicole Mushalla, and original founding member, April Lucas, is still playing tenor saxophone.

The group's sound for this performance is rounded out by percussionist Daniel Fabricius.

Here's the Empire Saxophone Quartet performing the Americana Suite on "Expressions."

(lively music) (somber music) (lively music) (somber music) (upbeat music) (upbeat music) (audience clapping) (lively music) (audience clapping) That was the Empire Saxophone Quartet performing Fly Me to the Moon, A song made popular by Frank Sinatra in 1964.

We will be back with more music in just a moment, but first, we wanna talk about the one member of the group who isn't playing a saxophone.

In 2021, percussionist Dan Fabricius was added to the group.

Dan brought with him a distinguished career in music education and a personality that made everyone feel at ease the moment you met him.

Unfortunately, a few weeks following the recording of this performance, Dan passed away unexpectedly, saddening the entire local arts community.

Dan's passion and love of music was no more evident than in this next song, Strange Humors.

He graciously took the time to educate our studio audience on the djembe, the traditional African instrument which is featured in this performance.

WSKG and the "Expressions" family would like to dedicate this episode in the memory of Dan Fabricius.

(lively music) (audience clapping) (upbeat music) (audience clapping) That was the Empire Saxophone Quartet performing, That's a Plenty, on "Expressions."

Now we don't have time to show you every song from their performance, so visit wskg.org/expressions if you wanna check out more great tunes from ESQ.

You can also visit the band's Facebook page for more information.

And we are happy to report that local music educator and percussionist Joel Smales has joined the band to continue the great work that Dan started.

We leave you with the Empire Saxophone Quartet performing a medley of songs from composer George M. Cohen.

Thanks for watching "Expressions."

I'm Adara Alston.

Good night.

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