Edward A. Lefebre

Edward Abraham Lefebre (15 December 1834 – 22 February 1911) was a virtuosic saxophonist in the late nineteenth century, best known for his work with Patrick Gilmore, John Philip Sousa, C. G. Conn, and the New York Saxophone Quartette Club.

[1] Following his move to Cape Town, South Africa, in 1859 to run a music store (supplied by his father's company), Lefebre began freelance work as a concert saxophonist.

These concerts regularly included audiences of South African dignitaries, and featured original repertoire for the saxophone (published by Adolphe Sax).

The busy performance schedule and willingness of Gilmore to program solo works permitted Lefebre ample opportunity to expose audiences to the saxophone, which was still relatively unknown.

The full section of Gilmore's band provided great opportunity for chamber music, and Lefebre soon formed the New York Quartette Club.