Multi-instrumentalist Sergei Gurbelo performed at the Sachem Public Library on Sunday, causing audience members to tap their feet and clap their hands to an every piece.
"I liked the way he mixed in the old and the new," Theresa Ilaria of Holbrook said. "It was an honor to both generations."
With a turn out of 70 people, the friendly musician, originally from Russia, who now lives in Old Bethpage, entertained audience members at "Sax in the Stacks with Sergei."
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He performed music from all eras such as classical, jazz, and rock and roll music. Gurbelo connected with the audience by discussing his life, talent, and passion for music in between pieces.
Gurbelo is a graduate from Gnesins Music Institute of Moscow, Russia with concentration in jazz and classical saxophone.
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"He recorded three solo albums, accompanied over 200 albums with famous Russian stars, and recorded over 20 albums of instrumental jazz and pop music," his MySpace page said.
Since he was a young child, Gurbelo has been playing the flute, clarinet, and saxophone.
"I didn't know what instrument and then when I grew up I tried the flute," he said.
However, during the concert he played various ethnic instruments and songs as old as the 16th century such as the ocarina. The ocarina, a ceramic wind instrument, dates back 12,000 years ago and was commonly used in Western Countries.
"I love all of [the instruments] that's why they are in my program," he commented.
Gurbelo, who recently learned how to play these instruments, spread his knowledge and diverse song types of each cultural.
"I do what I love and I feel [the audiences] reaction," Gurbelo said. His passion and love for his music was displayed through his music. With many musicians and music lovers in the audience, his musical ability was impressive. "If I do it from my heart, they love it."
Viewers were amused by Gurbelo's talent they could not help but get up and dance in the isles of the theater and give a standing ovation.
"I though it was better than most of [the events] at the library all year," Ilaria, who got up and danced during the performance said. The eyes bright eyes and laughter within the audience was contagious.
Senior Clerk in the Community Service Department Lorraine Silvering said the Sachem Public Library was excited to have Gurbelo perform for one of their Adult events. Future adult events include the play, "Twelve Angry Jurors" on Friday and Mambo Dance Lesson on April 30.
"We do have teen events, children events," Silvering said. Child events include circle time, family playtime, and "Book Time with a Dog", an event where children who beginning to read get to rear stories to their furry four-legged friends every Thursday evening.
Teen events include homework help, knitting workshops, and "So You Want to be a Model", an event to give aspiring models a basic foundation of how to get started in a modeling career on April 26.
Sachem Public Library hopes to invite Gurbelo to perform again in the future.
"Fantastic audience. I would do a show everyday for them," Gurbelo said.
