HCC Faculty Recital
Echoes and Explorations: Rare Gems for Saxophone and Piano
Saturday, February 21, 2026
HCC Heinen Theatre
3517 Austin St.
Houston, TX 77004
Dr. Woody Witt (alto saxophone)
Melisa Gültan (piano)
Assisted by
Glen Ackerman (bass) and J.D. Guzman (drums)
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Program notes
This duo recital with pianist Melisa Gültan has been a long-form collaboration. We began rehearsing this program seven months ago, allowing the music time to settle, evolve, and reveal its character. That length of preparation reflects how we approach music—patiently, deliberately, and with respect for its depth.
While there is no improvisation in the program, each work draws deeply from jazz-influenced rhythmic and harmonic language. Three of the composers—Nikolai Kapustin, Chick Corea, and Joe LoCascio—are jazz pianists whose concert works naturally bridge stylistic worlds. Their music speaks fluently in both classical and jazz dialects without needing to announce the distinction.
Joe LoCascio’s Sonata receives its world premiere on this program. Chick Corea’s Sonata is a true partnership between instruments, with the saxophone often functioning as an extension of the piano’s voice. Kapustin’s Concerto, originally conceived for orchestra with a jazz rhythm section, is presented here in a new chamber version with piano, bass, and drums—preserving the rhythmic drive and stylistic shifts at the core of the piece.
The program also includes music by Olivier Messiaen, chosen for its luminous harmony and expressive clarity. Though stylistically different, it shares a central quality with the rest of the program: a strong melodic voice and a direct emotional connection with the listener.
Together, these works reflect a personal artistic landscape—one shaped by listening across traditions, valuing clarity over display, and allowing music to unfold with intention.
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sexual orientation, or Veteran status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:
Sandra B. Jacobson, J.D., M.Ed., SHRM-SCP, Interim Director of EEO and Compliance/Title IX Coordinator/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator,
3100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002, 713.718.8271 or hcc.oeotix@hccs.edu