Bio

The Proteus Quartet is named after the god of the sea, mutable and versatile, this saxophone quartet performs a variety of pieces from classical transcriptions and traditional saxophone quartets to electronic, minimalist, jazz-influenced and new music. Being a modular ensemble, they switch saxophones during concerts, changing their sound and creating an exciting and variable performance space. Interacting with their audiences and speaking about their program is important to Proteus since each venue, space and event offers a unique opportunity to present their music.

In 2011, four Canadian saxophonists met in Paris while studying at French conservatories, they began to perform together and formed the Proteus Saxophone Quartet. Now established in North America, Proteus remains dedicated to commissioning and performing new works for saxophone quartet, having performed the North American premier of pieces by Denis Levaillant and Karol Beffa, they also performed the world premier of Urban Influx by Robert Lemay in 2014, which was written specifically for the ensemble. Proteus Quartet has performed recitals in France, Canada, the USA including performances at the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Biennial Conference in Illinois, the NASA Region 9 Conference in Saskatoon as well as the Proms in Saskatoon held at the Third Ave. Centre in 2012 and 2013.

With a strong focus on education, each member of the quartet is an active teacher and clinician, and the quartet strives to perform and work with students to promote awareness and appreciation for chamber music. They have been invited as guest artists to perform at the 2015 Sask New Music Festival held in Saskatoon. Here they will perform a concert of premieres and pre-existing pieces written for saxophone quartet by Prairie composers. The four members of Proteus Quartet are : Tommy Davis (Saskatoon/Montreal), Holly DeCaigny (Langley/Calgary), Mark Michalak (Thunder Bay/Calgary) and Michael Morimoto (Medicine Hat/Vancouver).