Ashu - Biography

Concert saxophonist Ashu, age 26, has won numerous international and national competitions, and has performed as recitalist and concerto soloist throughout the world. He made his recital debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall and, at age 16, made his concerto debut at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Since then, performances have taken him throughout the USA and Europe, including such locations as Norway, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Portugal, and the French West Indies.

With a dynamic style that captivates audiences, and a repertoire ranging from original soprano and alto saxophone works by Debussy, Villa-Lobos, and Glazunov to his own arrangements of Piazzolla, Rachmaninoff, and Morricone, Ashu has begun to bring the concert saxophone to a broader audience. His playing has been described as "Musical passion personified"(Vision Magazine) and "...just as much fun to watch him as it is to listen to him." (Dallas Morning News)

Ashu has also defied conventions winning major competitions traditionally won by pianists and violinists. Among his First Prizes are the International Heida Hermanns, National Federation of Music Clubs, National Midland-Odessa, International Kingsville Wind Instrumentalist, National Lennox, National George S. Howard, and National Alliance for Excellence Competitions. In addition, Ashu has been overall winner of the Houston Symphony, Keweenaw Symphony, Skokie Valley Symphony, and Northwestern University Concerto Competitions. Other awards include overall winner of the America Opera Society Competition, First Prize winner of the W.A.F.A Concerto Competitions, winner of the Interlochen Governor's Scholarship, and Grand Prize winner of the Houston Symphony Alice Flores-Smith Competition.

With a growing demand from renowned orchestras around the world, recent invitations have included the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and Metropolitan Orchestra of Lisbon, and such venues as Carnegie Hall and the Vienna Konzerthaus. He is also a frequent guest to prominent recital series such as La Jolla Music Society and Kravis Center.

Upcoming engagements include concert tours throughout New Zealand, Australia, the Baltic, and the USA. Ashu's non-musical interests include movies, swimming, and running. Ashu received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in saxophone performance from Northwestern University under the guidance of saxophonist Frederick Hemke.


	Biography Concert saxophonist Ashu, age 26, has won numerous international and national competitions, and has performed as recitalist and concerto soloist throughout the world. He made his recital debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall and, at age 16, made his concerto debut at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Since then, performances have taken him throughout the USA and Europe, including such locations as Norway, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Portugal, and the French West Indies. With a dynamic style that captivates audiences, and a repertoire ranging from original soprano and alto saxophone works by Debussy, Villa-Lobos, and Glazunov to his own arrangements of Piazzolla, Rachmaninoff, and Morricone, Ashu has begun to bring the concert saxophone to a broader audience. His playing has been described as "Musical passion personified"(Vision Magazine) and "...just as much fun to watch him as it is to listen to him." (Dallas Morning News) Ashu has also defied conventions winning major competitions traditionally won by pianists and violinists. Among his First Prizes are the International Heida Hermanns, National Federation of Music Clubs, National Midland-Odessa, International Kingsville Wind Instrumentalist, National Lennox, National George S. Howard, and National Alliance for Excellence Competitions. In addition, Ashu has been overall winner of the Houston Symphony, Keweenaw Symphony, Skokie Valley Symphony, and Northwestern University Concerto Competitions. Other awards include overall winner of the America Opera Society Competition, First Prize winner of the W.A.F.A Concerto Competitions, winner of the Interlochen Governor's Scholarship, and Grand Prize winner of the Houston Symphony Alice Flores-Smith Competition. With a growing demand from renowned orchestras around the world, recent invitations have included the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and Metropolitan Orchestra of Lisbon, and such venues as Carnegie Hall and the Vienna Konzerthaus. He is also a frequent guest to prominent recital series such as La Jolla Music Society and Kravis Center. Upcoming engagements include concert tours throughout New Zealand, Australia, the Baltic, and the USA. Ashu's non-musical interests include movies, swimming, and running. Ashu received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in saxophone performance from Northwestern University under the guidance of saxophonist Frederick Hemke. © Copyright 2006 Ashu Inc. All Rights Reserved - Click here for homepage -