Gary Louie

• Saxophonist

Biography

Gary Louie released his first solo CD on the Newport Classic label. Titled "Pastorale," it features romantic works for saxophone and piano, with Kirsten Taylor. With Richard Auldon Clark and the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra he has recorded Ibert's Concertino da Camera and Alec Wilder's Suite for Tenor Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra (on Newport Classic) and Henry Cowell's Air and Scherzo (on KOCH International). With soprano Lauren Wagner, he has also recorded Lori Laitman’s song cycle, I Never Saw Another Butterfly. Fall 2008 saw the release of his first KLEOS CD, "Classic Saxophone Concertos," with Vladimir Lande and the St. Petersburg State Academic Orchestra. Mr. Louie has also been heard on Spanish National Radio, Radio France and, throughout the United States, on National Public Radio and Public Television.

An avid supporter and interpreter of contemporary music, Gary Louie is actively involved in the commissioning and performing of new scores for the saxophone. He has premiered new works by the distinguished composers William Albright, John Harbison, Lori Laitman, John Anthony Lennon and Michael Hersch.

Gary Louie’s career was launched in 1986, when he won the coveted Pro Musicis International Sponsorship Award. In 1988 he was selected as a “Young Artist to Watch” by Musical America. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and grants, including having been chosen by the United States Information Service for its "Arts America" program and a National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Grant. Mr. Louie has also served on the National Screening Committee for the Fulbright Awards.

Gary Louie began serious studies on the saxophone with George Etheridge in Washington, DC, and went on to study at the University of Michigan with the legendary saxophonist/teacher, Donald Sinta. He currently serves as Professor of Saxophone at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University.