Founded in 2005, NYC-based Double Entendre Music Ensemble is a collective of like-minded musicians devoted to adventurous exploration of the double reed repertoire. Noted for its first-rate musicianship and creativity, the Ensemble illuminates classics, revives neglected music, and commissions new works for these soulful instruments.
Double Entendre often collaborates with local organizations, including Inwood Art Works and ClassicalCafe. This season, the Ensemble opened for Movie Night (Best in Show) at The Hudson, and performed a classical chamber concert at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Inwood.
Watch Double Entendre on the Inwood Art Works YouTube channel for the premiere video of On Air: Live N’ Local Episode 3: Double Entendre Music Ensemble, recorded on February 22, 2020. You can also tune into the audio podcast, wherever you get your podcasts.
Double Entendre’s Bronx Library Center performance of their project Old and New appeared briefly in Ex Libris, Frederick Wiseman’s 2017 film about the New York Public Library.
In 2015, Double Entendre was featured on WQXR‘s Classical Commute Series. Listen to Michael Shobe interview members of the Ensemble.
Double Entendre has commissioned a number of works for the double reed repertoire, most recently from Wendy Griffiths, Stephanie Berg, Rich Shemaria, and Caleb Burhans, with support from the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. The Ensemble’s American Music Project featured new commissions from Martin Bresnick and John Steinmetz. The project culminated with Double Take: American Reed, released by Albany Records in 2014. David Schwartz of the American Record Guide wrote, “If not for the variety, then for the music, but definitely for the sake of the artistry on this album, I recommend that all reed players add this to their collection.”
Going Home (Vysoke, My Jerusalem), commissioned by Double Entendre with support from Meet the Composer and composed by Martin Bresnick in 2010, appears on his CD Prayers Remain Forever. The quartet for oboe, violin, viola and cello appeared on the WQXR playlist in October, 2016.
Double Entendre Music Ensemble is funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Our programs are also supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, by the Music Performance Trust Fund, and by private foundations.
From concert halls to beer halls, in churches and bookstores, schools and parks, Double Entendre reaches a diverse audience wherever engaged listeners are found.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization. For a copy of our latest annual report, send email to [email protected] or call 212.740.2909.
