Martin Piecuch
Peforming Saxophonist and Educator
United States
I first came to Légère reeds in an unusual circumstance. Years ago I was invited to perform as a guest with Ken Radnovsky and his Boston Saxophone Quartet. I noticed they were all playing on Légère reeds and sounded wonderful. Right before the concert, Ken insisted that I play the concert on a Légère, which i thought was risky. He said, “I guarantee that you will love it, and that it will be a fabulous concert”. I haven’t used any reed but a Légère since! Being a doubler, picking up different instruments cold was always somewhat treacherous. Since that concert it's been a pleasure because of the reliability, whether I am playing classical, latin or jazz. I do NOT fuss with reeds anymore. They play so well, for so long with such control in all registers. They are a JOY!
This native of Waterville, Maine USA captured the prestigious position of saxophone soloist with the U. S. Marine Band at age 18. He studied saxophone with Himie Voxman and Sigurd Rascher and holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in each woodwind instrument, Summa Cum Laude, and a Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting from Catholic University of America, studying with Maestro Frederick Fennell. He was Founder/ Director of Washington Woodwind & Saxophone Quartet, guest flutist at Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall, and was for thirty years (1963-1992) Saxophone Soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra under such conductors as Aaron Copland, Antal Dorati, Julius Rudell and Leonard Slatkin. He has accompanied Beverly Sills, Henry Mancini, Dinah Shore, Johnny Mathis and Anthony Newley at Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, National and Ford’s Theaters. He has served on the faculties of St. Mary’s College, Howard University and Catholic University of America. Martin lives in New York City and Stonington, Connecticut, with his wife Elizabeth Falk. His hobbies include cooking, gardening and sailing on their Hunter sloop Maestro. Their smaller vessels are named Allegro, Flute and Piccolo. His three children Lisa, Christopher and Timothy all live in Memphis, Tennessee, with his four grand children Hannah and Elise Piecuch and Margaret and Douglas Espinoza.