Sam Alvarez puts chill on everything. He also plays tenor saxophone with masso.

masso is a Chicago-based saxophone quartet first formed at Northwestern University in the fall of 2021. While embracing the study and presentation of the classical repertoire, masso is equally committed to the commissioning, performance, and democratization of contemporary classical music.

Saxophonist Daniel Berkey hails from Chicago, IL, and has been playing professionally since age 13.  Under the tutelage of Nic Meyer and Greg Fishman, Daniel won several honors, most notably a DownBeat Magazine Outstanding Soloist award, and was selected as a Vail Jazz All-Star. 

Isaac Boone wishes he was playing with legos. He also plays soprano saxophone with masso.

masso is a Chicago-based saxophone quartet first formed at Northwestern University in the fall of 2021. While embracing the study and presentation of the classical repertoire, masso is equally committed to the commissioning, performance, and democratization of contemporary classical music.

Saxophonist Roberto Campa is an up-and-coming artist pursuing a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance at the University of Michigan.

Kurt Cox is a saxophonist in the Chicago area currently finalizing his master’s degree at Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in performance from Shenandoah Conservatory. 

Ila Gupta is vegan and likes ice cream. She also plays alto saxophone with masso.

masso is a Chicago-based saxophone quartet first formed at Northwestern University in the fall of 2021. While embracing the study and presentation of the classical repertoire, masso is equally committed to the commissioning, performance, and democratization of contemporary classical music.

Matthew Johnson is an American saxophonist and educator whose work spans solo, chamber, orchestral, and educational settings. He is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.

Haven Kahn is an American classical saxophonist recognized for his work as both a soloist and chamber musician. He earned his Bachelor of Music in performance from James Madison University, where he studied with David Pope, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music at the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University under Taimur Sullivan.

Brian Kachur is a performing artist and music educator from Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. He has garnered both national and international recognition as a soloist — having been named a Yamaha Young Performing Artist, Winner of the University of Michigan Concerto Competition, and having been selected as a contestant for the eighth Adolphe Sax International Competition in Dinant, Belgium.

Philip Kleutgens is an emerging artist and educator based in Chicago, IL. A versatile and accomplished saxophonist, he has earned top prizes at prestigious competitions such as the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, MTNA National Competitions, NASA Collegiate Competitions, and the Chesapeake National Chamber Music Competition.

Matthew Levy has been hailed by The Saxophone Journal as “a complete virtuoso of the tenor saxophone” and by The New York Times for his “energetic and enlivening” performances.

Hailed as “a master of his instrument” (Audiophile Audition) known for “evocative and bravura playing” (The Classical Review), Timothy McAllister is Associate Professor of Saxophone at The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, following the legacies of Larry Teal and Donald Sinta.

Hudson O’Reilly is a rising saxophonist based in Evanston, IL. Hudson has found success in a variety of competitions, including first prize at the 2025 Vandoren Emerging Artists Competition.

Laura Ramsay is a saxophonist and educator originally from Bergenfield, NJ. She is in her final year of working towards undergraduate degrees in saxophone performance and music education at the University of Michigan, in the GRAMMY-award-winning saxophonist Timothy McAllister studio.

As one of America’s leading concert saxophonists, John Sampen is particularly recognized as a distinguished artist in contemporary literature. He has commissioned over one hundred new works, including compositions by Adler, Babbitt, Bolcom, Cage, Rzewski and Rands and has premiered saxophone versions of music by Lutosławski, Stockhausen and Tower.

Zach Shemon is Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. Additionally, he serves on the music faculties at the Interlochen Arts Camp and Interlochen Saxophone Summer Institute.

Shemon was awarded first prize at the inaugural International Saxophone Symposium and Competition in Columbus, Georga.

Taimur Sullivan enjoys a prolific career as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. His performances have taken him from the stages of Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to engagements in Russia, Germany, and throughout Latin America.

The New York Times praised him as “outstanding… his melodies phrased as if this were an old and cherished classic, his virtuosity supreme.”