Whether he is playing for few people or a very large crowd, classical saxophonist Ashu is sure to have fun, he said shortly after his Saturday performance for about 40 people at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
“As long as you have an audience, you just perform and be grateful you have an audience,” said the musician, who goes by his first name only.
He added that the Saturday show was a “fabulous experience.”
“The hall here at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College is a beautiful venue and for the audience,” Ashu said. “You couldn’t have asked for anything more, as an artist, to have such a receptive audience.”
The 26-year-old performer took the stage for about an hour accompanied by pianist Kuang-Hao Huang as he switched between the saxophone and the clarinet.
During the first half of the concert, the California-born musician stuck to mostly soft, slow-paced classical melodies. He picked up the pace during the second half, finishing with some upbeat tango songs.
As he performed, he nodded his head, appearing to mumble as he kept time.
Warm reception
Mr. Huang agreed that the crowd was welcoming. “It was fantastic playing here tonight,” Mr. Huang said after the show. “It was such an intimate and enthusiastic crowd. The enthusiasm was there.”
For Chonda Jeffers, the concert brought back memories of living in London, where she used to attend classical concerts. “It was so beautiful,” Ms. Jeffers said. “I just closed my eyes and felt the songs.”
Yolanda McCoy liked the tango pieces best.
“This was my first time listening to tango on the saxophone, and I think he did a great job,” Ms. McCoy said.