Cries, Sighs, and Dreams takes its inspiration from Hector Berlioz’s early description of the saxophone as an instrument that “cries, sighs, and dreams,” capable of reaching the very edges of audible sound. Embracing that poetic vision, the album explores the full expressive spectrum of the saxophone family — soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone — through works spanning Saint-Saëns, Creston, Carlos Simon, and Steven Banks himself. The title reflects both the sonic possibilities of the instrument and the deeply personal nature of composition, where music becomes a vehicle for joy, anguish, reflection, and spiritual inquiry. Ultimately, the recording stands as both an artistic statement and a mission: to expand the public understanding of the saxophone’s role in 21st-century classical music while using music as a means of deeper human and spiritual connection..