Douglas Masek

DOUGLAS 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”. 

A featured performer on the Los Angeles Opera’s Grammy winning recording of Kurt Weill: Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny, Douglas has also shared the stage with contemporary artists such as: John Legend, Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, Kristen Chenoweth, Christina Aguilera, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Barbara Morrison, Audra McDonald, Cher, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, and Seth MacFarlane among others.  Also performances with notable conductors such as: Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Kent Nagano, 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.

With extensive concert touring in the United States, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and South America, Douglas 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, Downey Symphony, New West Symphony, Pasadena Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Los Angeles Opera Company, Long Beach Opera, Ostgota Symphony(Sweden), and the Transylvania Philharmonic Orchestra (Romania). Orchestras in South Africa include: The Cape Town Symphony, National Symphony Orchestra, Free State Symphony, KwaZulu-Natal Symphony, and Transvaal Philharmonic Orchestra.  He has also 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 in Woodwinds from The Ohio State University, Dr. Masek completed his academic education with a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Southern California. 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. He has taught at the University of Southern California and the University of California at Los Angeles ( UCLA) among others.

 

Douglas has also recorded for Centaur, Albany, Cambria, Atlantic, Koch International, Stereophile, Summit, Navona, and Philips Classics recording companies. Additionally, he has performed on motion picture soundtracks 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 eight CD collections: Distant Memories, Windwood, Recrudescence, Saxvoir Faire, The Encore Saxophone Quartet, Saxtronic Soundscape, Saxophone Alternative, and EclectSax.  

As founder of the Encore Saxophone Quartet, they were winners of the Beverly Hills Auditions Competition, and the only American chamber music ensemble selected to perform at the prestigious 2019 Lansum International Music Festival.

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