Liquid Ebony was commissioned by Larry Combs (principal clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony) and premiered by him in its original version with piano at the 2003 Clarinet Fest in Salt Lake City, Utah. The version for clarinet and wind ensemble version was commissioned by the West Point Band, and premiered with Larry Combs at the 2006 Clarinet Summit at West Point. The “liquid” in the title suggests the fluidity, grace and virtuosity that the work demands. In this version for soprano saxophone, the “ebony” miraculously turns to “gold.” Steven Mauk premiered the piano version with Diane Birr in February, 2006, and the wind ensemble version with the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble.