Established in 1985, The New Jersey Saxophone Ensemble draws on an array of cultures and musical forms to create a unique and diversified repertoire. Performances include a lively mix of Classical, Jazz, Folk and World Music that balances musical tradition with refreshing innovation.

Active advocates of contemporary music, The NJSE has introduced audiences to new works by todays leading composers, including Michael Torke, Paquito D'Rivera and Earland von Koch, as well as inventive arrangements for saxophone quartet by Scott Joplin and George Gershwin. In March 2000, The NJSE performed the world debut of a work especially written for them - Italian composer Roberto Di Marino's Quartetto III. During the 2002-2003 concert season, The NJSE will premiere of two additional works dedicated to them by American composers Patrick Burns entitled Lyric and Trent Johnson's currently untitled piece.
  
In a concert review, John Hammel of WNTI radio wrote, "it was a delight to the ears and sensibilities to be lulled by the beautiful melodies … The program was a cornucopia of musical confections … " Elaine Strauss of Classical New Jersey wrote, "… this foursome is in the running for perfection, not only because of their technical mastery, but because of their musical adroitness."
  
In January 2001, The NJSE released its first successful independent CD recording, New York Suite, which received a three star rating in a review by The Star Ledger.
  

The musicians of the quartet-Frederic Davis, soprano; Khalid Griffith, alto; James Garde, tenor; Paul Larsen, baritone-represent a wide swath of experience. Individually, they have played such venues as Lincoln Center and Symphony Space in New York City, the Louisville Saxophone Institute, the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands and the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Other credits include performances with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, New York Theatre Ballet, the Shirelles, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell, jazz vocalist Marlene VerPlanck, Brazilian flugelhornist Claudio Roditti, big band leader Rob McConnell and saxophonist George Coleman.

Coming together as the NJSE, they are actively involved in arts education, giving master classes, and participating in outreach concerts in the community and schools. The ensemble has performed benefit concerts for The Noonan Syndrome Support Group and Parents of Blind Children. Currently, The NJSE is Artist-in-Residence at Mt. Fern Methodist Church in Randolpn, New Jersey.
   
Recent concert highlights of The NJSE include a sold-out performance at Centenary College sponsored by the Centenary Performing Arts Guild, a special guest appearance for the 15th Anniversary Celebration Concert of the Bloomfield Youth Band, an invitation to help launch the successful debut of the Summer Fare: Music for a Summer's Evening concert series at the First United Methodist Church in Westfield, NJ. , and the world premiere of two works by composer Patrick Burns, If I Rise on the Wings of Dawn and Ride the Red Horse for the prestigious Ars Vitalis Festival at Kean University on April 10, 2002.