BAMBOO AND BRASS LTD is a Seattle-based saxophone quartet dedicated to exploring the broad spectrum of saxophone quartet repertoire, which has seen significant growth over the past two decades. The group, comprising Ken Murphy on soprano, Evan Takle on alto, Barbara Hubers-Drake on tenor, and Lori Shepherd on baritone, excels in delivering top-notch performances that highlight the saxophone’s dynamic and stylistic versatility.
The quartet members met while participating in various jazz orchestras throughout the Seattle area. They officially formed in 2019 to perform at the international Bach in the Subway Festival. Since then, they have expanded their repertoire to include a diverse mix of ensemble music, continuously exploring various musical genres.
Recent notable performances include an evening featuring works by Dutch composer Douwe Eisenga, sponsored by the Seattle Composers Alliance, a play/concert celebrating the legacy of saxophone pioneer Elise Hall, and two performances at the 2025 North American Saxophone Alliance Conference – Region I – in Boise, Idaho.
Personnel
KEN MURPHY (soprano saxophone) – Ken is an active saxophonist and woodwind specialist in the Greater Seattle Area. A NW native, Ken made a living as a full-time performer and teacher before joining the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts live entertainment team, a path that led to an active career as a media and technology executive. As a musician, he has performed extensively with jazz, classical, Latin, pop/rock ensembles and in numerous live show productions around the country. He has played in ensembles backing notable musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Bob Berg, Dave Holland, Pete Christlieb, Louie Bellson, John Fedchock, and more. Ken received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the Eastman School of Music.
EVAN TAKLE (alto saxophone) – Evan is the newest member of Bamboo and Brass LTD. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Multiple Woodwind Performance with a specialty in bassoon from Indiana University – Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with Otis Murphy on saxophone and Kathleen McLean on bassoon. A talented multi-instrumentalist, he plays saxophone, clarinet, flute, bassoon, and oboe. He has performed with such groups as Tacoma City Ballet, Yakima Symphony and other orchestras throughout the area, as well as pit orchestras and jazz orchestras. Hailing from Bothell, Washington, his early years were spent studying with Bruce Wilson on saxophone, clarinet, and flute and Francine Peterson on bassoon.
BARBARA HUBERS-DRAKE (tenor saxophone) – Barbara’s impressive credentials include assembling and fronting jazz duos, trios and quartets, such as “Bamboo and Brass LTD”, “Our House Jazz Quartet”, and co-founding the 17-piece Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra (SWOJO). She has performed with numerous ensembles and jazz orchestras in the PNW such as SWOJO, Critical Mass Big Band, Moonlight Swing Orchestra, South Sound Saxophone Ensemble, Cascade Symphony Orchestra, Formation Wind Band, and others. Barbara returned to playing the saxophone after a twenty-five year gap and likes to encourage others to start or start again at any age. As a “late bloomer” who did not study music in college, Barbara is currently studying jazz saxophone in saxophone studios of Greg Fishman and Bob Reynolds, classical saxophone with Dr. Erik Steighner, and composition with Ben Thomas.
LORI SHEPHERD (baritone saxophone) – Residing in Seattle since 2012, Lori is a freelance musician and private music instructor specializing in woodwinds. She holds a Master’s degree in Clarinet performance from the University of Utah, and has performed around the world in various ensembles on a wide variety of instruments. She currently plays alto saxophone with the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra (SWOJO) and baritone saxophone with Bamboo and Brass Ltd. Saxophone Quartet. She plays clarinet with Compass Winds Quintet, and Trio de Bois (who recently released an album called Taking Root). Putting her versatility as a woodwind doubler to good use, Lori has performed extensively in musical theater productions, including over 100 productions. In addition to former life teaching junior high band, she has taught private lessons since 2000, and recently began appearing as a guest artist and lecturer in Utah and Idaho.