Steven Banks and Xak Bjerken Will Perform at Chamber Music Northwest in January

Chamber Music Northwest will present one of the most exciting contemporary musicians performing today: saxophonist Steven Banks. Joined by his frequent collaborator, pianist Xak Bjerken, he will perform a dynamic and engaging range of repertoire. This fourth concert of CMNW's 2025/26 seven-concert Year-Round Season will be held at The Old Church Concert Hall on Thursday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m.

A charismatic ambassador for the classical saxophone, CMNW Protégé Project Alumnus Steven Banks (Kenari Saxophone Quartet) returns to Portland this season with the energetic pianist Xak Bjerken for an intimate recital. Winner of the prestigious 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Banks captivates audiences with his balance of refined lyricism and virtuosic flair. Traversing classical, contemporary, and popular repertoire, Banks and Bjerken will perform baritone saxophone works by Beethoven, Barber, Saint-Saëns, and John Musto's Shadow of the Blues for an utterly unique evening of music.

From Artistic Directors Gloria Chien and Soovin Kim: “Steven Banks's return to CMNW feels like a full-circle moment for us. We first invited him as a protégé with the Kenari Quartet, and it's been remarkable to watch him grow into one of the most compelling voices of his generation—a soloist, composer, and advocate who continues to redefine the classical saxophone. The first saxophonist to receive the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Steven has had composers such as Joan Tower and Billy Childs write concertos especially for him. We're excited to welcome Steven back to CMNW for this recital, joined by pianist Xak Bjerken.”

CONCERT PROGRAM

SAINT-SAËNS Bassoon Sonata in G Major, Op. 168/R. 148

John Musto Shadow of the Blues

BEETHOVEN 7 Variations on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen,” WoO 46