Here's a pop quiz for music buffs: What instrument measures 6 feet, 8 inches and has been described by the L.A. Times as having "the stature of a power forward in the NBA and a pitch that makes a foghorn sound effeminate?"
Give up? It's the contrabass saxophone.
It would take a true saxophile to know that, but then, it would also take a true saxophile to assemble a saxophone orchestra.
The Nuclear Whales will be coming to Park City next weekend with its unusual mix of humor and music. Covering everything from Gershwin to Bach — and a whole lot in between — the group promises to entertain and delight.
"It's a little difficult sometimes to describe music that most people haven't heard, in the sense that most people haven't heard a saxophone orchestra, or sextet, in our case," founding member Don Stevens said during a telephone interview. "We all have a sense of humor, and we also have most of the saxophones in the saxophone family from the contrabass up to the sopranino, which is a high-pitched saxophone."
Stevens says that the group also has lighting and choreography for a fast-moving, fun show.
Although he wasn't willing to divulge all of the surprises in store, Stevens did tell a little about the opening number. "It's dramatic in the use of lighting and the way we come onto the stage. We have a tape of some real whale calls that we kind of start off with, but then, saxophones come in and we make whale calls on our saxophones. It builds up, and, eventually, we end up doing some Mozart, but in the course of the piece, it keeps diverting off to other songs within the context of a Mozart piece — including 'Johnny B. Goode.' "
Originally, the group began as a saxophone quartet. "In the process, I just found out more about saxophone ensembles, and actually found some old music written for saxophone sextet. So we expanded to a sextet, and the sound, by adding the two saxophones, was just so much fuller and more wonderful that we decided that, hey, this is the way to go. We sometimes have people remark to us, 'We listen to your recordings, and it seems like there's got to be more more than six saxophones playing because it's such a rich sound.' "
As for the Nuclear Whales name, it's all in fun, although it did earn the group an official certificate of adoption from the National Atomic Museum. Stevens said the group happened to pass by the museum on the way to a concert in Albuquerque. "I made some jokes about it and the Nuclear Whales in my little opening monologue thing. "(A museum board member) was there with his girlfriend, and he couldn't believe I was making jokes about the National Atomic Museum. He thought that his girlfriend has put me up to it.
"He thought it was hilarious, and afterwords came up and introduced himself. They were opening up a new museum and wanted us to come and be featured at the opening, which we were unable to do, but anyway, they adopted us."
As for the contrabass saxophone, Stevens has an entirely different description than the one in the L.A. Times. "It has a very dramatic appearance and looks like you shouldn't be able to play it,. It looks too big and heavy, and people frequently (see a photo) and say, 'Hey, how did you guys do that to the photo to make the saxophone look so big?' They don't believe it's that big. It's actually lighter than it looks. It does take a lot of air, but it's playable. It has a beautiful sound. You just kind of have to be in its presence."
The group has also issued an open invitation to saxophone players of all abilities to join the Nuclear Whales onstage for a "Parade of Saxophones." Those interested should call (435) 655-8252 or stop by the box office for more information and a copy of the music. All participants will receive two free tickets to the show.
If you go . . .
What: The Nuclear Whales Saxophone Orchestra
Where: The Eccles Center, Park City
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday
How much: $15-$30, $5 for students and children
Phone: 435-655-3114
E-mail: rcline@desnews.com