A Conductor’s and Performer’s Guide to Steven Bryant’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone - Chester Jenkins

94 LULLOFF: Oh yeah GOURWITZ: I said, ‘So, are you going to do it?’ And I looked at them, they looked and me, I said, ‘We’re doing it. Let’s go.’ LULLOFF: I just remember there was some sort of, and I can’t remember the timeline of events, but I just remember the feeling of thinking, I think it very well could have been after that event, you know the greatest joy that somebody would do something like that and involve me with it. Because, for years I’d had pieces written for me. JENKINS: Sure LULLOFF: And I’d save up my own money, basically. I’d written some grants. I’d received an NEA grant, and consorted with a couple of people for Charles Ruggerio. I put my own money towards Donald Freund. Towards, you know, other composers. Maybe they’re not huge statures like Steven Bryant or like an Aaron Copland or John Adams or whatever. It doesn’t matter. And, I’m sorry Howard, I don’t mean to misrepresent it. I just don’t remember…you have a better memory than I do. GOURWITZ: So, we talked about it. And I just said I want to support it. I mean, I love the saxophone, but I love Joe! JENKINS: Uh huh GOURWITZ: You have the piece there, right? JENKINS: Yes GOURWITZ: Open it up…..every piece you ever see will say that. It was commissioned in honor of Joe, and for Kevin and the Wind Symphony. But it’s because of Joe that that piece exists. LULLOFF: And that was his generosity, his paying it forward to the saxophone community. The fact that I’m involved with it, every time I pull that up to practice…you know I had a bit of tickle in my throat, in my soul here a little bit inside myself. Wow….and when I started practicing this piece, you know, I felt closer to Howard… JENKINS: Mm-hmm LULLOFF…you know, I mean, I think we need to love individuals. Obviously it’s not the same kind of love you have for your wife or your daughter, but it’s a familial love. And that’s what I felt with Howard. GOURWITZ: And it’s mutual. LULLOFF: And that’s how I felt really when this, if you want to say meeting took place. And Kevin talking to me about, you know…I think it was after the fact I came back…I