SAX.EXE - Ties Mellema | Solo Saxophones & Electronics

Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is about to get a revolutionary sound injection! Prepare to transcend traditional genres and immerse yourself in a unique musical journey at Splendor that will redefine your perception of electronic music.

SAX.EXE is an auditory adventure where the pulsating energy of EDM and the hypnotic depths of minimal music (think the captivating repetition of Philip Glass and Steve Reich) fuse seamlessly with the sophisticated improvisations of jazz, the infectious grooves of funk, and the timeless beauty of classical music.

SAX.EXE – Ties Mellema, Solo Saxophones & Electronics: A Fusion of Breath & Machine

Ties about SAX.EXE: "SAX.EXE is a deeply personal journey, one that truly began in a hospital room. During an intense chemo period, I found myself stuck for long stretches. To keep my mind active, I started making tracks on a sampler and a small synth—not with any grand plan, just to play. But something clicked, a creative spark that never left me. This unexpected rediscovery also brought me back to my roots in the '80s and '90s, when the ".exe" file was my gateway to digital worlds. I'd spend hours then, programming music for fun, crafting beats and loops with sequencers, a passion I honestly put aside until about eight years ago. Now, that early fascination has come full circle, merging with that hospital-born inspiration, to form a concert built around these very ideas.

In SAX.EXE, I'm giving my instrument a digital makeover, creating an innovative fusion of acoustic performance and electronic sound design. Blending the raw energy of multiple saxophones with heavy beats, deep bass, and immersive electronic textures, I transform the saxophone into a hybrid instrument—part organic, part machine.This performance is a dynamic interplay of techno rhythms, contemporary soundscapes, and real-time improvisation. Industrial pulses meet glitch aesthetics, while algorithmic precision merges with spontaneous expression, creating an evolving sonic experience that is both hypnotic and unpredictable. You'll witness a truly groundbreaking performance featuring a captivating array of saxophones – from the familiar to the futuristic. Prepare to be mesmerized by the ethereal sounds of the Glissotar and the dynamic possibilities of the electronic saxophone, all expertly woven into a rich tapestry of sound."


Ready to expand your musical horizons and experience SAX.EXE live? Join us at Splendor and be part of an ADE experience that will resonate long after the last beat drops.

ADE in Splendor:This year, Splendor’s musicians join ADE with their own vision of dance music. Expect acoustic-electronic fusions, bold collaborations, and boundary-crossing performances. Let yourself be moved, surprised, and inspired by Splendor’s signature sound—with a dancefloor twist.