About Ashu

Ashu has developed a trailblazing career as the first and only full-time concert saxophonist. His solo tours have captivated audiences at the most prestigious venues worldwide, from numerous times at Carnegie Hall to the Vienna Musikverein and NY Central Park. He has repeatedly defied conventions by winning major international awards traditionally won by pianists and violinists. Ashu has enthralled, exhilarated, and enchanted millions of fans across the globe with his passionate and thrilling solo performances.

Born and raised in California, Ashu has been regularly praised for his extraordinary ability to communicate with audiences through his charismatic and emotive performance style. Critics have raved that "Ashu is changing the world of music” (Washington Post) and “just as much fun to watch as to listen to” (Chicago Tribune). Ashu has developed a unique voice and identity on the saxophone which reaches far beyond stylistic categorization and connects with a large diversity of people.

Ashu's solo shows have taken him to every part of the world, including major halls throughout Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Finland, New Zealand, Singapore, France, Poland, Austria, Portugal, Norway, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, South Africa, Azerbaijan, Canada, USA, and more. He has received critical acclaim for his numerous sold-out concerto and recital performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Chicago's Ravinia Festival, Zurich’s Tonhalle, NY Central Park, Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Cape Town City Hall, St. Petersburg’s Hermitage, Kravis Center, Strathmore, Detroit Symphony Center, NY Rockefeller Series, Green Music Center, and many others. His solo concerts with orchestras in Vienna, New York City, Chicago, St. Petersburg, Lisbon, Montreal, Berlin, Toronto, Cape Town, Prague, and more have won the hearts of countless listeners.

Ashu was selected as the winner of the prestigious “Audience Award” at the renowned International Musical Olympus Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia, competing against the First Prize winners of the world’s foremost string, piano and voice competitions. The festival’s honorary committee included Yo-Yo Ma, Daniel Barenboim, and Yuri Temirkanov. As Ashu developed his pioneering solo career, other prestigious awards included the top prize at the International Heida Hermanns, International Salon De Virtuosi, International Houston Symphony, International Kingsville, American Opera Society, National Alliance for Excellence, National Lennox, National George S. Howard, National MOSC, National Federation of Music Clubs, National Houston Symphony Flores-Smith, and many more. Ashu received his Bachelor and Master degrees from Northwestern University under the guidance of Frederick Hemke.

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“Ashu is changing the world of music…”
- Washington Post

“Just as much fun to watch him as to listen to...“
- Chicago Tribune

“He has an ability to keep an audience totally enthralled.”
- New York Times

“Ashu’s clear pleasure in performing was infectious.”
- Washington Post

“The one to watch.”
- Chicago Tribune

“He’s just as thrilling to watch as to listen to...
There was never any doubt about Ashu’s remarkable virtuosity or his easy,
natural sense of phrasing, both displayed to perfection."
- Washington Post

“He possesses a deep musicality which pours through his playing and hooks the audiences.”
- Chicago Tribune

"Riveting, Brilliant, Pizzazz to Burn!"
- NPR