Rova Saxophone Quartet

The Rova Saxophone Quartet is a California Saxophone Quartet, which includes the saxophonist Jon Raskin, Larry Ochs, Steve Adams and Bruce Ackley.

Founded in 1977 for a festival of Mills College in Oakland ( California), was the Rova Saxophone Quartet for many years as " secret " among the followers of improvised music. Over the years, Rova built the achievements of a "collective improvisation" from; focus is on the fusion and "harmonization" of composition and improvisation in the center.

In the first predominant, written by the members of the quartet works, the quartet makes this work by many composers of new music (about Ives, Messiaen, Xenakis, Feldman, Penderecki, Varese, J. Cage), but also of jazz musicians (such as Coltrane, Coleman and Monk ) inspired. By working with leading composers and performers such as Anthony Braxton, Terry Riley, Alvin Curran, John Zorn, Steve Lacy, Andrea Centazzo, Lindsay Cooper, Richard Teitelbaum, Pauline Oliveros, Liz Allbee and the Kronos Quartet, the quartet broadened its base material. In particular, the preparation of written for Rova Quartet Chanting the Light of Foresight by Riley called for a new, the temperament of the saxophones overcome, specifically microtonal playing techniques of the four saxophonists. Ultimately, the quartet has made a specific contribution to the redefinition of the music of the 20th century and the development of the American improvisational music.

Founding member Andrew Voigt retired in August 1988 and was replaced by Steve Adams. The name Rova is derived from the initials of the surnames of the four founding members. The Quartet has presented numerous drives and CD and is also the world to hear on tour for more than two decades.