Hot Wrk Ensemble to perform at Port Jervis library

On Saturday, September 21 at 2 p.m. stop by the Port Jervis Free Library for a free afternoon of music by Hot Wrk Ensemble, a saxophone/woodwind and percussion trio founded in 2020 by award‐winning musicians J Brooks Marcus (J Why), Lois Hicks‐Wozniak, and Brad Hubbard.

The trio recently performed at the UpFront Exhibition space, so if you missed them then, here’s your second chance to see these performers live in Port. This performance will also feature guest artist Gwen Laster, thanks in part to an Orange County community grant made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program.

The band has been described as “committed to creating community through diverse, genre‐eclectic ‘chamber grooves’ that include collaborative improvisation.” The trio describes itself as “an interactive experience with a mission that breaks the fourth wall and invites audiences to engage — through the idea of musicking — that community and music is also created by sharing thoughts, asking questions, contributing ideas, and listening.”

The idea to engage with the audience came after a living room concert that was put on by saxophonist Hicks-Wozniak for a friend recovering from surgery. During that performance, Hicks-Wozniak said she discovered her non-musician friends wanted to comment and share their inspirations to the music following each selection. Hicks-Wozniak said the experience left her “energized and impassioned to create this community connection with an ensemble.” Soon baritone saxophonist and flute player Brad Hubbard, a former member of the New Century Saxophone Quartet, joined, and then a year later so did percussionist and composer J Brooks Marcus (J Why).

The Port Jervis Free Library is located at 138 Pike St, Port Jervis. For more information Hot Wrk Ensemble, visit loishickswozniak.com/hot-wrk-ensemble.