- New York City, NY
- Saxophone Player
- Contact for rates
Erik Donough - Elegant Saxophone & Classical Flute for Elite Events
Overview
Elevate your event with the sophisticated sounds of a 25-year professional multi-instrumentalist. Erik Donough provides a seamless, high-end musical experience, offering both elegant classical flute for ceremonies and soulful solo saxophone for cocktail hours and corporate mixers.
Based in Morristown, Erik specializes in a conversation-friendly atmosphere, utilizing a premium sound system for studio-quality sound with a compact footprint. From Sinatra and Motown to modern hits by Miley Cyrus and Harry Styles, his versatile repertoire is tailored to your crowd. Fully insured and self-contained, Erik ensures a reliable, stress-free performance for NJ’s top venues.
Reviews
2 reviews
Ken A.
February 4, 2026Erik is a pro
I have worked with Erik in many musical capacities over the years and not only is his playing second to none, he checks every professionalism box that can be checked. Hire with confidence!
Hired as: Multi-Instrumentalist, Woodwind Musician
Erik Donough - Elegant Saxophone & Classical Flute for Elite Events
Thank you, Ken! It's a pleasure to work together!
Leigh W.
January 13, 2026Highly recommended
I have been playing with Erik for many years in area pit orchestras. He continues to impress me with his versatility and musicianship every time. I am confident when I hire Erik that he will be a dependable asset to my production. I highly recommend him.
Hired as: Multi-Instrumentalist
Erik Donough - Elegant Saxophone & Classical Flute for Elite Events
Leigh, you're too kind. Thank you so much, and I look forward to working together again soon!
Booking information
Price range: $400 and up
Languages: English
Gig length: 60 - 150 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Liability coverage with COI upon request
Unions: AFM
What to expect
Clients can expect a sophisticated, dual-instrumental performance designed to transition seamlessly from the quiet elegance of a ceremony to the vibrant energy of a cocktail hour. By offering both Classical Flute and Contemporary Saxophone, I provide a versatile musical narrative that elevates every phase of your event.
The Performance Experience:
Ceremony & Prelude (Flute): A graceful, pure classical flute performance accompanied by professional orchestral and piano backing tracks. Perfect for processional and recessional moments that require a touch of traditional elegance.
Cocktail & Social Hour (Saxophone): A soulful, full-band saxophone sound over high-fidelity backing tracks. The repertoire is a tasteful mix of jazz standards, Motown, R&B, and modern pop favorites (from Sinatra to Miley Cyrus).
The Professional Setup: Visually, my presence is polished, compact, and unobtrusive. Utilizing a premium high-fidelity sound system, I deliver a rich, room-filling sound with a minimal footprint. This setup is specifically designed for conversation-friendly volume — ensuring guests can enjoy live music while easily engaging in social networking.
The No-Stress Guarantee: From the initial booking through the final note, clients receive:
Clear Communication: Professional invoicing via Wave and prompt responsiveness.
Reliability: 25 years of professional experience, including Broadway and Carnegie Hall credits.
Turn-Key Service: Fully self-contained setup (requiring only one outlet), arrival 45-60 minutes prior to start, and full liability insurance (COI) for all venues.
The goal is a refined, world-class musical atmosphere that leaves your guests impressed and the host completely at ease.
About
The Soundtrack of Sophistication for Your Most Important Moments
With over 25 years of professional mastery — spanning the pit orchestras of Broadway to the prestigious stage of Carnegie Hall — Erik provides an unparalleled musical experience for luxury weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Erik offers a rare multi-instrumental advantage, seamlessly pivoting from the elegant, pure tones of the classical flute for ceremonies to the soulful, high-energy grooves of the saxophone for cocktail hours.
Why Clients Choose Erik:
A Full-Band Experience: Using a high-fidelity, compact sound system and studio-quality backing tracks, Erik delivers a lush, orchestral sound that fits perfectly in any space.
The Broadway Standard: Having performed in over 80 professional stage productions, Erik brings a level of discipline, timing, and stage presence that only a veteran of the New York / New Jersey theater scene can provide.
Volume-Conscious Performance: Erik specializes in Conversation-Friendly music—ensuring your guests can enjoy world-class live performance while still engaging in effortless networking and socializing.
Morristown Local: Proudly serving Morris, Essex, and Union counties with zero travel fees for local venues.
A Legacy of Professional Excellence
Erik’s career is defined by high-stakes performance and elite training. His Manhattan credits include:
Broadway: Substitute Woodwinds in Disney's Tarzan on Broadway.
Carnegie Hall: Lead Alto Saxophone with Tim Janis and Matthew Morrison (Glee).
Theater: Tenor Saxophone on Victor Woo: Average Asian American at the Village Theater.
His technical mastery is the result of years of study with the most respected names in the woodwind world, including:
Dr. Paul Cohen (New Hudson Saxophone Quartet)
Dr. Steven Mauk (Empire Saxophone Quartet)
William Shadel (Broadway & Papermill Playhouse)
Charles Pillow (Woody Herman's Thundering Young Herd)
Additional booking notes
I provide a fully self-contained performance setup, including professional sound equipment suitable for cocktail hours, receptions, and corporate events. My system is compact, clean, and designed for controlled volume that supports conversation rather than overpowering it.
I require:
- A standard electrical outlet within reasonable distance of the performance area
- A space approximately 6' x 6' (or similar) for setup
No special lighting or staging is required. I am happy to perform under existing ambient lighting and can adapt to indoor or covered outdoor settings. For outdoor events, protection from direct sun, rain, or extreme weather is required.
Setup and teardown are quick and unobtrusive, and I handle all sound levels on site to ensure the music fits the tone of the event. I am always glad to coordinate with venues, planners, or other vendors to ensure a smooth and professional experience.
Services offered
Set list
I. The Classical Flute Ceremony (Elegant & Timeless)
Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach)
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Air on the G String (Bach)
Arioso (Bach)
II. The Sophisticated Swing Saxophone (The Sinatra Era)
Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
The Way You Look Tonight – Jerome Kern/Sinatra
Autumn Leaves – Jazz Standard
III. Modern Pop & Smooth Groove (The Cocktail Hour)
Flowers – Miley Cyrus
Smooth Operator – Sade
Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles
Careless Whisper – George Michael
IV. Soul, Motown & Classic Rock (High Energy)
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
Just the Two of Us – Grover Washington Jr.
Influences and inspiration
The Saxophone Soul:
Grover Washington Jr. & Stan Getz: My approach to the saxophone is rooted in The Melody First. I draw from Grover’s soulful R&B phrasing and the lyrical, Cool Jazz bossa nova elegance of Stan Getz.
Cannonball Adderley: For that upbeat, sophisticated-fun energy that keeps a cocktail hour moving.
David Sanborn: For the modern, polished pop-sax sound that brings energy to contemporary hits.
The Classical Flute Tradition:
James Galway: The gold standard for pure, singing tone and technical brilliance—my primary inspiration for wedding ceremony performances.
Jean-Pierre Rampal: My focus on the purity of the French flute school ensures that classical processionals feel timeless and airy.
The Atmosphere Architects:
Frank Sinatra & Nat King Cole: I treat the saxophone like a vocal instrument, focusing on the phrasing and storytelling of the Great American Songbook.
Sade & Bill Withers: My Smooth Groove sets are heavily influenced by the relaxed, sophisticated textures of 80s soul and 70s R&B.
Modern Innovators:
The Broadway Pit Tradition: My 25 years in professional theater influenced my versatility—the ability to pivot instantly from a classical Bach sonata to a high-energy Harry Styles or Miley Cyrus arrangement.
Setup requirements
One standard electrical outlet
A small performance space (approximately 6' x 6')
Shelter from direct sun or weather for outdoor events
Report Erik Donough - Elegant Saxophone & Classical Flute for Elite Events
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