Joyce Spencer, an award-winning saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist from Dallas, Texas, showcases a diverse range of musical styles. Her repertoire spans traditional to contemporary jazz, classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop, and Gospel/Christian.

With a background in instrumental music education, Joyce holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Performance. After a 20-year corporate career, she returned to her passion for music as an independent artist. She composes and produces her own albums and singles, including "Sweet Dreams," "Many Colors," “Cherish,” “Sax-O-Phunk,” and “Nature Walk.”

Joyce's music has garnered global recognition, earning her prestigious awards and features in magazines, radio stations, and Indie Artist Charts. Her accolades include an NAACP-Garland Award, Black Women in Jazz Award, Grammy consideration, and various other media mentions.

For 14 years, Joyce has been performing with her band, Joyce Spencer and Expressions. In 2020, she expanded her musical repertoire by adding a Sade Tribute Show to her performances.

In addition to her own band, Joyce is a member of Jazz in Pink Band, The Satin Dolls Band, and I.Tina, a Tina Turner Tribute Band.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

🎷 What motivated her to join this event for Sax Girls Rock
🎷 People that influenced her the most
🎷 Joyce’s live performance of Cold Duck Time by Eddie Harris

Our Patreon supporters get access to tips from many of the artists we have interviewed over the years.

These tips are not shared anywhere else.

To get access (and show your love for the show), go to our Patreon site for more info.

Nancy Saenz, aka ‘Lady Woodwind’. Started her musical journey at Marshall Jr High School in the heart of Houston’s old barrio Northside.

She started on flute, going to many competitions all over Texas. Nancy was introduced to the saxophone in high school, and quickly excelled, going to many jazz festivals and winning Jazz Musician of the Year.

Nancy has performed with local Tejano groups, recorded a CD, arranged songs and co-wrote a polka song for saxes.

In February 2024, she was awarded the Tejano Legends Award special artist recognition for her contributions to Latin Music.

She also performed with and wrote horn parts for the Grammy-nominated group, SISTER SISTER. 

She received a commendation from Sheila Jackson Lee for her contributions in music, and earned the name, Lady Woodwind, for being fluent in all woodwinds. 

Nancy has her own CD out, Just Me, available on her Bandcamp site.

She performs at South by Southwest every year, as well as all over the United States, and  Europe.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 Her influences when it comes to tone
🎷 What motivated her to attend Sax Girls Rock concert
🎷 Influences when it comes to style and technique

Our Patreon supporters get access to tips from many of the artists we have interviewed over the years.

These tips are not shared anywhere else.

To get access (and show your love for the show), go to our Patreon site for more info.

Born in a very small town in Denmark (Vejle) in 1982, Jeppe took a keen interest in the drums at a young age.

Jeppe Zacho also started playing saxophone at 15 years old, upon his father’s advice. 

As a teenager, Jeppe traveled to Cuba to study the intricate Cuban rhythms he so loved.

This monumental experience influenced his future compositions and performances.

Since 2008, he has been a saxophone teacher at Frederiksberg music college, where he teaches bands, saxophone and clarinet classes.

Jeppe has been on the Danish music scene for many years and performs in groups such as Jazz Five, The Counterfictionals, Jack Street, and various Big Bands.

Jeppe has received a Danish Music Award twice in the "Jazz for Children of the Year" category, first in 2013 and 2016 with the band Jazz Five.

Furthermore, he has been nominated in the main prize category "Best Danish Jazz Release of the Year" with the band The Counterfictionals in 2019.

His newest eponymous release, Introducing Jeppe Zacho, is his first as a bandleader.

The album highlights the influence of his father, also a jazz saxophonist, and his teacher and mentor at the Rhythmic Conservatory, Christina von Bulow.

You can learn more about Jeppe, and buy his new album on his website, listed below under Resources.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 Discussion on his new album
🎷 Jeppe's heroes
🎷 What influenced his style in music
🎷 What made him stick into playing saxophone instead of doing drums
🎷 Next album in line
🎷 And many more!

You can catch his Bio, and all of his links in my website.

All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming.

If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our Patreon site.

Tenor, soprano and alto saxophonist, bandleader and composer, Pernille Bévort is a graduate of the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen, Denmark. After completing her degree, she has become increasingly in-demand as a member of various jazz ensembles in Denmark and Sweden.

Apart from working with small ensembles, Bévort has performed with several professional Big Bands in Denmark during the last decades: The Ernie Wilkins Almost Big Band, Kroner’s New Music Orchestra, The Danish Radio Big Band and the Aarhus Jazz Orchestra (Klüver’s Big Band) among others.

As a frequent substitute, or regular member of, different professional big bands, she has performed with many international artists. Among these are: Randy Brecker, Tony Coe, Putte Wickman, Tim Hagans, John Scofield, Charlie Watts and Richard Bona.

Since 2015 Pernille has been a regular member of the Swedish Monday Night Big Band in Malmö and from 2016 she has been playing several projects with another Swedish Big Band: the Bohuslän Big Band in Göteborg. (One of the last tours with BBB was in oct. 2017 with Maria Schneider).

She is also part of the new Danish 13-piece ensemble Maluba Orchestra with Marilyn Mazur, Fredrik Lundin and Kasper Bai as the 3 co-leaders and composers. The debut album with this group ‘Maluba Orchestra’ won a DMA jazz in 2020 as album of the year.

Since 1995 she has been leader of several diverse ensembles. At present these include her trio, Bévort 3, and the septet Radio Bévort. Pernille Bévort has released 14 albums as band leader (Feb. 2022).

Apart from her own groups, Pernille has composed for several other ensembles such as . Among these are The Copenhagen Art Ensemble, Moving Circles and a variety of ToneArt workshop ensembles (ToneArt is a composer association). 

Right now, she is composing a new tune and arrangement for the Swedish Norrbotten Big Band (a commissioned work).

Pernille Bévort has been awarded the prestigious Ben Webster Prize and the JASA prize (jazz reviewers) in acknowledgement of her work. Furthermore, Pernille has received several composer grants from the Danish Arts Foundation within the last decades.

From 2011 until 2013 she was part of the committee for composer grants in the Danish Arts Foundation (the jury concerning rhythmic composers). April 11th 2021 Pernille Bévort received an honorary award from the Danish Conductors Association (an association of conductors and band leaders).

The album BLIK with Radio Bévort (May 2020) was among the top 10 Danish jazz albums of the year (2020) according to the jury from the Danish jazz magazine Jazzspecial. Oct. 2020 Pernille was also nominated for a Danish Music Awards Jazz as composer of the year with this album. 

Pernille’s trio album ‘On Fire’ with her trio Bévort 3 was nominated for a Danish Music Awards Jazz in the category ‘Album of the Year’ (Oct. 2021).

Her Latest album ‘Bévort 3 Live 2020-2021’ was released Feb. 18th 2022.

The trio is now heading towards ‘Jazz A-Head’ in Bremen, Germany, where they are going to perform a showcase on the Danish Club Night Scene (30. April 2022).

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Legere Reeds!

To learn more about why Derek Brown, Gerald Albright, and Eddie Daniels exclusively play Legere, visit www.legere.com

And for a limited time, if you live in the US or Canada, use the code  EVERYTHINGSAX for 10% off at their store at shop.legere.com.

The store is only available to US and Canadian residents.  

• People that inspired her the most
• Conceiving your saxophone sound
• How to be in the moment when performing
• Keeping technique on point
• How she manages practice time
• Her role in a Septet vs Trio
• Finding your own voice 
• and more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site.

Paul Cohen is one of America’s most sought-after saxophonists for orchestral and chamber concerts and solo recitals. 

Dr. Paul Cohen has rediscovered and performed lost saxophone literature, including works for saxophone and orchestra by Loeffler, Florio and Dahl as well as chamber works by Grainger, Ornstein, Sousa, Cowell, Siegmeister, and Loeffler. 

He has published more than one hundred articles on the history and literature of the saxophone in the Saxophone Journal, Instrumentalist, CBDNA Notes, Clarinet and Saxophone Society Magazine of Great Britain, The Grainger Society Journal, and the Saxophone Symposium.  His seminal column, “Vintage Saxophones Revisited,” was featured in the Saxophone Journal from 1985 – 2002.

Recent CDs include American Landscapes, (American music), Common Ground (chamber music), New York Rising ( American music for saxophone quartet),  Heard Again for the First Time (premiering lost music) and his latest,  Soprano Summit  (soprano saxophone).

Dr. Cohen is currently on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, NYU, Columbia University  and Rutgers University.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Legere Reeds!

To learn more about why Derek Brown, Gerald Albright, and Eddie Daniels exclusively play Legere, visit www.legere.com

And for a limited time, if you live in the US or Canada, use the code  EVERYTHINGSAX for 10% off at their store at shop.legere.com.

The store is only available to US and Canadian residents.

We talked about:

• How Paul finds vintage horns (this was before the internet!)
• How the tonal qualities of saxophones changed over the years
• Why people play vintage saxophones
•  His reed strength choice for certain vintage saxes
• and more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site

Paul Cohen is one of America’s most sought-after saxophonists for orchestral and chamber concerts and solo recitals. 

He has appeared as soloist with the San Francisco Symphony, New Jersey Symphony,  and the Charleston Symphony.  

His many solo orchestra performances include works by Debussy, Creston, Ibert, Glazunov, Martin, Loeffler, Husa, Dahl, Still, Villa-Lobos, Tomasi, and Cowell. 

He has also performed with a broad range of orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera (NYC), American Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Recent CDs include American Landscapes, (American music), Common Ground (chamber music), New York Rising ( American music for saxophone quartet),  Heard Again for the First Time (premiering lost music) and his latest,  Soprano Summit  (soprano saxophone).

Dr. Cohen is currently on the faculties of the Manhattan School of Music, NYU, Columbia University  and Rutgers University.

The opening music was Feathers and Sax, by Amanda Harberg, and the outro music was Lesson from the Sky, by Rodney Rogers, both from his latest CD, Soprano Summit.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Legere Reeds!

To learn more about why Derek Brown, Gerald Albright, and Eddie Daniels exclusively play Legere, visit www.legere.com

And for a limited time, if you live in the US or Canada, use the code  EVERYTHINGSAX for 10% off at their store at shop.legere.com.

The store is only available to US and Canadian residents.  

We talked about:

• Why saxophone became the perfect instrument of choice for him
• Listening to Paul Desmond and playing by ear
• How the skill set of today's generation changed
• Saxophone virtuosos students should listen to
• Developing musicianship
• Exploring other types of saxophones
• His new 'Soprano Summit' album and his approach on recording new music

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site

London-born saxophonist Alex Hitchcock is regarded as one of the UK’s most virtuosic young jazz musicians. His group AuB, which released its debut album on Edition Records in 2020, was described as ‘ready to make cataclysmic waves in the sound of UK jazz’ by Jazzwise.

His quintet’s critically acclaimed 2018 debut on Barcelona-based label Fresh Sound New Talent (home to debuts by artists including Ambrose Akinmusire and Avishai Cohen) was described by All About Jazz as ‘an exquisitely subtle collection of tunes… the clearest indicator to date of the stratospheric trajectory on which this super-talented quintet is indubitably heading’. 

Their increasingly burgeoning reputation on the international jazz stage was confirmed by a major prize at the 2018 Umbria Jazz Festival, as well as touring to Poland, Spain, Italy and Hungary and performances at legendary UK venues including Love Supreme Festival, the Royal Albert Hall and Ronnie Scott’s.

Named in 2018 and 2019 as ‘one to watch’ by Jazzwise magazine, he has performed with Chris Cheek, Soweto Kinch, Mark Lockheart, Nérija, Andrew McCormack, Ashley Henry, Maria Chiara Argirò, legendary American group the Blackbyrds, and Turner Prize-nominated artist Marvin Gaye Chetwynd.

Performing highlights include North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Jazz à Vienne (France), Fano Jazz Festival (Italy), Festival Mas i Mas (Spain) and Glastonbury Festival (UK) as well as at the Barbican, Cadogan Hall, and Glyndebourne Opera House.

His latest project, Dream Band, pulled  together a pool of 15 musicians from both sides of the Atlantic to bring to life a set of forward-thinking music. 

The music was recorded across three London studio sessions in Spring 2021, with a different configuration of musicians each day. The result is a selection of 12 original songs ranging from a delicate duo (featuring the sensational Midori Jaeger on cello & vocals) through to an expansive 7-piece outing with guest stars Chris Cheek and David Adewumi.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Our sponsor for this episode is:

Legere Reeds!

To learn more about why Derek Brown, Gerald Albright, and Eddie Daniels exclusively play Legere, visit www.legere.com

And for a limited time, if you live in the US or Canada, use the code  EVERYTHINGSAX for 10% off at their store at shop.legere.com.

The store is only available to US and Canadian residents.

We talked about:

• Tone matching concept and process
• Practicing proactively instead of reactively
• What he meant by 'singing through the horn'
• How his undergrad influenced his storytelling when it comes to playing
• His approach to improvisation & writing
• and so much more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site

Matt Stohrer has been repairing, selling, and trading saxophones for a long time. He takes pride in his work, and cares deeply about what he does.

He learned his craft in New York City, working for Sam Ash Music on the famed Music Row, 48th St. in Times Square, Manhattan where he started as a coffee-running apprentice and worked his way up to Head Woodwind Repairman of their flagship store. 

After working for Sam Ash, he opened a small saxophone specialty shop in Brooklyn, where he repaired many horns to exacting standards for the best and brightest of New York’s saxophone crowd and also bought and sold vintage horns and mouthpieces.  He had a view of the Manhattan skyline from his roof in an old warehouse by the Gowanus canal, and was busier than ever.

But something was missing- personal space, clean air, a yard for my kids, a place to work on my car, seeing the stars at night, space for some hobbies.  So one day in 2010,  he picked up and moved to beautiful North Carolina, where he found a cozy and warm house in the woods between Durham and Hillsborough. Here, he continues to grow his business, learn new things and perfect his craft.

As a repairman, I service all saxophones (and only saxophones), with my specialty being high end, vintage and unusual saxophones done well for picky players. 

He remains a small, one-man business repairing and selling saxophones. He is committed to his ideals,  and doubts he will ever grow much beyond a one-man shop.  Personal interaction and customer relationships built on shared love of the saxophone are paramount, and advice will always be free.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Our sponsor for this episode is:

Legere Reeds!

To learn more about why Derek Brown, Gerald Albright, and Eddie Daniels exclusively play Legere, visit www.legere.com

And for a limited time, if you live in the US or Canada, use the code  EVERYTHINGSAX for 10% off at their store at shop.legere.com.

The store is only available to US and Canadian residents.  

We talked about:

• Working with vintage horns
•  The TRUTH about what relacquering does to your saxophone
• Overhauling a Saxophone
• Advise on buying instruments online
• Tips for people with little to no access on repair shops and tools
• and Much more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site

Born and raised in Lima, Perú, Lucia Sarmiento has been influenced by classic jazz players like Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, as well as modern players such as Chris Potter and Michael Brecker. 

After graduating high school, Lucia moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina to study at the Conservatorio Manuel de Falla, where she studied jazz performance. 

Wanting to fulfill her lifelong dream of learning jazz music from its origins and pursuing a music career in the United States, Lucia moved to Minneapolis, MN after winning the Women in Music scholarship at McNally Smith College of Music in 2013. She studied there with Pete Whitman, graduating in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Saxophone Performance.

During her first years in Minneapolis, Lucia was mentored by Eric Kamau Gravatt (Drummer for Weather Report, McCoy Tyner, Joe Henderson) as a permanent member of his Jazz Quintet, Source Code. 

In 2016, she joined funk/fusion band New Sound Underground, with whom she has played countless shows around the country.

In recent years, Lucia has gained a massive social media following posting videos showing her charisma and skills as a saxophone and EWI player. 

Lucia has worked as an ambassador for brands like Yamaha, Akai, BG, Jean-Paul USA, Syos, Key Leaves among others.

Besides performing, Lucia is very passionate about providing affordable and accessible music education in Spanish and English. She regularly posts saxophone/jazz educational videos on her YouTube channel and for the past year, she has built a bilingual community of saxophone players on her Patreon, where she offers private lessons and more in-depth tutorials and practice guides.

In October 2020, Lucia released her first single “Escape” and is currently working on a full original album coming out in 2021.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• How she takes risks and goes all in
• What Lucia identifies as her strengths & weaknesses
• How she adapted to playing a genre she wasn't used to
• Tips on landing that 'big gig'
• Bonus content! What it’s like being a woman on tour with PitBull in Saudi Arabia

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site

Saxophonist & educator, Godwin Louis, was born in Harlem, New York and began playing saxophone at age nine. Godwin grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Port au Prince, Haiti. 

Godwin was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Saxophone Competition, and has performed all over the world.

He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz Performance. 

Godwin has studied with and performed with Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Roger Dickerson, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Jack Dejohnette, Jimmy Heath, Billy Preston, Patti Labelle, Toni Braxton, Babyface, Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Barry Harris, Howard Shore, David Baker, Mulatu Astakte, Mahmoud Ahmed, Wynton Marsalis, and Terence Blanchard just to name a few.

In addition, Godwin has performed as a sideman, guest soloist and has conducted clinics and master classes worldwide. 

As a composer, Godwin has received the Jerome Foundation Emerging Artist Grant, and the Jazz Gallery’s “New Works Commission”. 

As an educator, humanitarian and ambassador, Godwin has traveled from Benin to China to help promote cross-cultural understanding and introduce thousands to America’s indigenous art form, through public concerts, master classes, and jam sessions. 

He is currently full-time faculty for the Woodwind Department at Berklee College of Music.

Godwin is the founder of Experience Ayiti, a nonprofit educational, multidisciplinary arts organization. 

Godwin’s debut album as a leader, entitled “Global”, was released in February 2019.

(The intro music for the podcast is his composition, Thoughts and Prayers, from his album, Global.)   

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• Single vs. double lip embouchure
• How Solfege shaped his understanding of music & helped his improvisation
• What Godwin thinks about when improvising
• and more

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site 

Saxophonist and mouthpiece creator, Matt Lee uncovered his passion for music when his grandmother bought him his 1st alto saxophone. 

From that point, he knew he found his calling. 

Matt followed his dream from California to Nevada, and writes most of his own music and produces from Las Vegas. 

He is a self taught saxophonist with no formal training, learning how to play by ear from listening to his favorite artists, and being inspired by everything around him.

His musical influences stem from Curtis Mayfield, James Brown, Al Jarreau to Grover Washington Jr. 

He started WestCoast Sax in 2014. It brings him a lot of joy in making Mouthpieces for artists to help find their sound and make playing a little easier. 

WestCoastSax Artists are Boney James, Euge Groove, Jackiem Joyner, Dean James, Will Donato, MO Louis, Chris Godber and many more.

The opening segment of the podcast was from his new single release, One More Kiss.

His new EP will be out next year, which will include his recent release, One More Kiss. Three of his songs are available now everywhere you hear music on digital platforms.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• How he went from being totally self-taught on saxophones to performing, mixing and mastering his own songs
• The surprise gig he landed from opening up for (Jefferson) Starship
• Smoking cigars with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
• How being a Respiratory Therapist during COVID influenced his music
• Matt’s advice for knowing your limits
• EXCLUSIVE!; A private tour of Matt’s recording studio and equipment
• How Matt records high quality video & audio 
• and more

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site

Saxophonist, composer and author Walt Weiskopf began his New York career performing with the Buddy Rich Big Band in 1981 at the age of 21. 

Since then, he has made an impressive mark as both a leader and sideman with over 20 critically acclaimed CDs and countless sideman credits, including performing and recording with Frank Sinatra, Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, Frank Sinatra, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs and others. 

A dynamic player with enormous technical prowess, Walt is equally well regarded as a composer and his CDs contain predominantly original work. 

His books on jazz improvisation, such as  Beyond the Horn, Around the Horn, Understanding the Diminished Scale, The Augmented Scale in Jazz, 16 Moderately Challenging Jazz Solos and Intervallic Improvisation are among the most respected in the field. 

His new release, Introspection, will be out in mid October 2021.

(For the podcast, the opening segment was from Walt’s tune, Backstage Blues from his release, Fountain of Youth.)

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• Influence of playing clarinet and classical music into his technique
• How Walt uses theory for improvisation
• How the pandemic allowed him to pursue a passion project 
• What it's like working with Steely Dan
• His approach to short solos & big band solos
• Walt's upcoming album

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site

This episode is super special because I have not just 1, but 2 guests with me.

My first guest is Stefano Bedetti, the Italian saxophone phenom. 

(At the beginning of this episode, you heard an excerpt of him playing Shiny Stocking.)

Stefano is a self-taught musician who began to play tenor saxophone at the age of 14.

He discovered jazz listening to the records of Charlie Parker, Michael Brecker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Joe Henderson, Cannonball Adderley, Hank Mobley, Sonny Stitt, and all the other great cats of that era.

At the age of 19, Giulio Capiozzo (famous Italian drummer, and cofounder of the well-known group Area) was the first to notice his talent and invite Stefano to his group.

Stefano’s spontaneous way of playing, along with his huge sound, great technic, and melodic & harmonic articulations, have garnered him the attention of some of the big names in jazz music.  

Over the course of his career, Stefano has performed with many jazz stars including Billy Hart, Ed Howard, Victor Lewis, George Cables, Jimmy Howens, Dave Stryker, John Riley, Tony Scott, Adam Nussbaum, John Patitucci, Antonio Sanchez, and many others.

My second guest is Gary Sugal, who has been manufacturing fine quality custom-made saxophone mouthpieces for more than two and half decades. 

Serving both professional and semi-professional musicians worldwide, Gary Sugal has earned the respect and admiration of some of the top saxophone recording artists around the world for the quality and workmanship of his mouthpieces.

As a professional mouthpiece manufacturer for more than twenty-six years, the Sugal factory has produced more than 14,750 custom-made mouthpieces that are being played worldwide.

It has been Gary’s personal mission to help musicians benefit from the many years of experience Gary has had as a bona-fide mouthpiece manufacturer by producing what many musicians consider the “holy grail” and number one mouthpiece on the planet.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• How Gary's mouthpieces are made, especially the new 3-D Printed Metal mouthpieces
• How Gary was so touched by Stefano's playing, & their new collaboration
• Stefano's non-conventional approach to playing and practicing
• and much more!

Wanna support the show?

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

You may not have heard about the new, patented design of the EMEO Digital Practice Saxophone. They started 8 years ago, and have been on the market for 3 years.

At the NAMM Show 2024, it was a big hit – their booth was crowded every single day.

This isn't your conventional saxophone. It features a special patented design incorporating original springs, brass, and other unique elements. Instead of producing sound on its own, it functions as a wind MIDI controller. To generate sounds, it relies on external programs such as Respiro, Audio Modeling, SWAM, or digital audio workstations (DAWs). Moreover, it's compatible with Windows or MAC operating systems, as well as iOS.

I spoke with Oleg Raskin from EMEO, and we talked about:

🎷 Inspiration for creating EMEO instruments
🎷 New mouthpieces for the EMEO
🎷 Random people testing EMEO at the NAMM Show
🎷 Matthias Kuhn showing latest developments  with EMEO software & how  it works
🎷 Saxophonist Carly Stock trying out the EMEO

You can catch their Bio, and the link to their website on our site.

This episode was proudly sponsored by Rovner Products, creators of fine ligatures for saxophone and clarinet for almost 50 years.

If you perform in Rock, Blues, Marching Band, Military ensembles, and are tired of getting drowned out by all the other instruments, you need to try Rovner’s latest offering, the LGX Ligature. Pure power without losing the quality of your tone. Just go to www.rovnerproducts.com for more info and to purchase.

Patrons who have shown their love and support for the show get a special bonus clip from this episode.

If you want in on this and so much more Bonus content not available anywhere else, head on over to our Patreon site to sign up!

Mention the Beets name pretty much anywhere in the world, and any jazz enthusiast in the room will know what you’re talking about: quality, and a strong brand of bop and swing. 

And swing… that’s one thing tenor saxophonist, Alexander ‘The Hurricane’ Beets brings each year to the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival and every festival and show he performs.

His nickname ‘The Hurricane’ comes from his explosive and expressive playing.  

Much like (and with) his brothers, Beets has performed on stages around the world. 

His mix of swing and ballads, standards and originals has swooned audiences from Poland to Thailand and from Canada to India.

As a jazz-saxophone player he gave over 2000 concerts around the world, played on more than 30 CD’s and DVD’s. 

Besides that, he runs Amersfoort World Jazz Festival, curates Leusden Jazz and is one of the founders of World Jazz Network, keeping jazz delegates across the globe connected and improving international mobility for young jazz artists.

Celebrating his personal heroes, Dutch tenor saxophonist Alexander Beets’ newest album, Big Sounds, is a compilation of favorites and a tribute to Gene Ammons, Stanley Turrentine, Ike Quebec and Hank Mobley with legend-inspired originals. 

Try not tapping your foot to the opener Blues for the Legends, with swinging solos by not just Beets himself but also Miles Davis Institute-acknowledged trumpeter, Ellister van der Molen.

The new album is out on Oct. 15, 2021

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Influence of his' musical heroes on his playing
•  What makes him perform with confidence
• How Alexander organizes major jazz festivals
• His upcoming album release, Big Sounds
• and more

Be a Patron!

For as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

One of the most decorated saxophonists of her generation, Nicki Roman, has won prizes at prestigious competitions such as the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Solo Competition, Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Solo Competition, William C. Byrd International Competition, Fischoff, and the Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship. 

Her latest album, Unquiet Waters, features expressive works from innovative composers that push the boundaries of classical saxophone.

She has been a featured soloist with the Eastman Symphony Orchestra, Eastman Wind Ensemble, UW-Milwaukee Wind Ensemble, Illinois Wind Symphony, University of North Florida Orchestra, and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. 

Across North America, Europe, and Asia, Nicki has shared solo and chamber music performances at venues such as the China National Centre for the Performing Arts, Shandong University of the Arts, Zagreb Academy of Music, Krannert Center for Performing Arts, Rio All-Suite Casino in Las Vegas, Brevard Summer Music Festival, and the Zelazo Performing Arts Center. 

She has collaborated on several projects with Hal Leonard Publishing and has premiered over 30 works for her instrument. 

Nicki proudly serves as the Assistant Professor of Saxophone at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She also presents clinics, recitals, and masterclasses at numerous universities throughout the year. 

She received her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree at the Eastman School of Music, and also holds degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of North Florida. 

Her former teachers include Chien-Kwan Lin, Debra Richtmeyer, Dale Underwood, Michael Bovenzi, and Bunky Green. 

Nicki is a Conn-Selmer and Vandoren artist, as well as a member of NASA’s Committee on the Status of Women.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• Articulation & the biggest articulation mistake most people make
• Her thoughts on a classical vs. jazz set-up
• What Nicki’s practice always starts with & one exercise she always plays
• How the Fuego Quartet formed & how they rehearse when everyone lives in different states
• Nicki’s new album, Unquiet Waters

Show your love and support for the show by becoming a Patron.

You get Bonus content, early access to the video interviews, searchable transcripts of many of the episodes and more.

Just go to our Patreon site – we truly appreciate your support 😊

Fuller is a Grammy-nominated Mack Avenue recording artist, composer, educator and bandleader who is currently balancing the worlds of performance and education, fulfilling a demanding schedule as both a busy touring, recording artist and a full-time professor at the Berklee College of  Music in Boston.

She has recorded five full-length projects with her own quartet and her most recent album, Diamond Cut, received a Grammy nomination in the Best Instrumental Jazz category. 

The album was produced by three-time Grammy Award winner Terri Lyne Carrington, legendary bassist, Dave Holland and drummer, Jack Dejohnette. 

Additionally, she can be seen playing regularly with Terri Lyne Carrington, Ralph Peterson Jr., Esperanza Spalding, Dianne Reeves, Rufus Reid and many more.

Fuller has also expanded her presence as a model and essayist being featured in J. Jill’s “Rhythm and Blues” campaign, Vanity Fair’s “Women in Jazz” issue, and wrote an opinion piece for NBCNEWS.com on “Sexism in Jazz.” 

Fuller has also graced the cover of Downbeat Magazine, Jazztimes, Saxophone Today, The Jazz Education Journal, and recently Japan’s, The Sax Magazine.

Her newest project, The Sax Loft,  is an online teaching collaboration with sax legends, Kirk Whalum and Jeff Coffin.

Fuller has received numerous awards and marks of distinction including, winning Jazztimes Jazz Critics Poll for best alto saxophonist (2018), and Downbeat Critic’s Poll-‘Rising Star’ two years in a row for Soprano Sax (2014), Alto Sax and Flute (2013). 

In 2018, she has also received the Benny Golson Award from Howard University, the Distinguished Alumnae Award and commencement speaker from the University of Colorado at Boulder and appointed as 2018’s Artist-in-Residence at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

As a Professor at Berklee College of Music, she also shares her expertise directing the Rainbow big band and All Stars, the Esperanza Ensemble, repertoire class, jazz improvisation, two jazz combos and the Christian Mcbride Ensemble. 

In addition, she produces and directs large production ground-breaking ensembles such as, the Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Ariana Grande Ensembles.

These groups focus on cross-collaboration throughout the college and is reflective of an “A-list” tour/production incorporating musicians, choreography, strings, dancers, video and lighting. 

As an artist, performer, and teacher, Fuller feels that she is fulfilling her purpose here on this earth, which is to “serve as a light for others.”

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

This episode was sponsored by 10mFan Mouthpieces

In this episode, we talked about:

• The importance of singing as a saxophone player
• Her newest project, with Kirk Whalum and Jeff  Coffin, The Sax Loft
• How she adapted as a musician during the pandemic
• Auditioning for Beyonce
• Her thought process when performing
• How she got the job for Pixar’s ‘Soul’ movie
• Her approach to improvisation today and back then
• One tool that really helped her playing
• and more!

Become a Patron for as little as a $2 donation each month...

You get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

Ramon Manas, Founder of Odisei Music, and Creator of the Travel Sax wanted to find a way to practice his saxophone more.

His time was limited and his living situation didn’t allow him the freedom to practice whenever he wanted.

Because of that, he was starting to get self-conscious about playing at all.

Having an engineering background, Ramon got to work on creating the Travel Sax, a practice tool for saxophone players who were facing similar problems as he.

After much research, experimentation and prototype testing, he created the 1st version of the Travel Sax.

The reviews were great, but Ramon wanted to improve it even more.

After receiving feedback from backers and professional musicians, Ramon designed the prototypes for Travel Sax 2.

In this episode, I peppered him with every possible question I could think of that would help you decide if Travel Sax 2 is right for you.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• How Ramon Manas came up with the idea for the Travel Sax
• How it works
• New Color options for the keys and body
• How easy it is to make any repairs
• The differences and similarities to a typical saxophone
•  Mouthpiece compatibility
• Ramon does a sound demo
•  Internal sound vs. midi
• Standard mouthpiece vs. Travel Sax’s mouthpiece
• The case features and size
•  Limited time Indiegogo campaign for Travel Sax 2

Help support the show & get behind-the-scenes footage not shared anywhere else!

Visit www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to become a patron & help keep the great interviews coming.

Billboard charting saxophonist, Chris Godber has become a highly sought-after performer in both the Smooth Jazz & Gospel Jazz realms. 

His 2015 album “Starting Over” launched him into the Smooth Jazz spotlight with the chart topping hits Rain and Chill. 

His goal when he performs is not to just entertain, but to inspire.

At an early age, he was told he could not play saxophone due to the severity of his asthma, but he found a way to play anyway.

For over 20 years, Godber has been leaving others breathless with his soulful saxophone playing and inspiring testimony. 

Aside from being a chart-topping saxophonist, he’s also a Registered Respiratory Therapist, and has worked the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His recent single, Essential,  is filled with positive energy reflecting the healing nature of music and the arts.

He has shared the stage and or opened up for a wide range of notable artists such as Mindi Abair, Marcus Anderson, Jackiem Joyner, Average White Band, Tower of Power, Dr. John, Snarky Puppy, Sara Evans, T. Graham Brown and even the live tour of Dancing with the Stars. 

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Chris’s connection with recent guest, Jennifer Price
• His upbringing in a military family and how it influenced his appreciation of music
• Tips & breathing exercises (from a Respiratory Therapist)
• How he got into R&B and gospel music
•  How the saxophone is the closest instrument to the human voice & why singing is so important for success on the saxophone
• How he learned improvisation…and it wasn’t through formal training
• How Chris got into respiratory therapy
• Juggling work as a musician and respiratory therapist
•  Being an artist during the pandemic
• Upcoming projects and shows

Support the show & get behind-the-scenes footage not shared anywhere else!

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the great interviews coming.

Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Advocate, Steven Banks is an Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Ithaca College in NY. He is the first saxophonist to earn a place on the Young Concert Artists roster in its 59-year history, capturing First Prize at the 2019 Young Concert Artists International Auditions.

He has won numerous other awards, including Korean Concert Society Prize (for support of his Kennedy Center debut), Buffalo Chamber Music Society Prize, Saint Vincent College Concert Series Prize, and more.

He has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra in Carnegie hall, amongst many other famous concert halls throughout the world.

Banks is the baritone saxophonist of the award-winning Kenari Quartet, which has found a home performing on many of the premiere chamber music series in the United States. 

The group has earned top prizes at 7 national and international chamber music competitions.

Banks is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in music education, performance, and newly commissioned works in the classical realm. 

He gave a talk at the TEDxNorthwesternU 2017 conference with ideas about how to create change in institutionalized prejudices against women and people of color. Since the talk, Banks has written an article for WQXR and given guest lectures on the history of black classical composers. 

Banks serves as a member of the first Committee on the Status of Women for the North American Saxophone Alliance, and is proud to have been selected as a member of the jury for the first Female Saxophonist Competition. 

Banks is an endorsing artist for Conn-Selmer instruments, D’Addario Woodwinds, lefreQue Sound Solutions, and Key Leaves.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• Tips and recommendations of pieces for Classical saxophonists
• What made him decide to go the classical route instead of jazz
• Steven talks about his equipment in detail, and the research he’s done
• A key question to ask when thinking about your set up
• A new app for improving saxophone tone that he loves to recommend
• Silver and lacquer plating; differences in sound and projection
• How he uses the LefreQue sound bridge accessory

Help support the show & get behind-the-scenes footage not shared anywhere else!

Visit www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to become a patron & help keep the great interviews coming.

Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Advocate, Steven Banks is an Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Ithaca College in NY. He is the first saxophonist to earn a place on the Young Concert Artists roster in its 59-year history, capturing First Prize at the 2019 Young Concert Artists International Auditions.

He has won numerous other awards, including Korean Concert Society Prize (for support of his Kennedy Center debut), Buffalo Chamber Music Society Prize, Saint Vincent College Concert Series Prize, and more.

He has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra in Carnegie hall, amongst many other famous concert halls throughout the world.

Banks is the baritone saxophonist of the award-winning Kenari Quartet, which has found a home performing on many of the premiere chamber music series in the United States. 

The group has earned top prizes at 7 national and international chamber music competitions.

Banks is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in music education, performance, and newly commissioned works in the classical realm. 

He gave a talk at the TEDxNorthwesternU 2017 conference with ideas about how to create change in institutionalized prejudices against women and people of color. Since the talk, Banks has written an article for WQXR and given guest lectures on the history of black classical composers. 

Banks serves as a member of the first Committee on the Status of Women for the North American Saxophone Alliance, and is proud to have been selected as a member of the jury for the first Female Saxophonist Competition. 

Banks is an endorsing artist for Conn-Selmer instruments, D’Addario Woodwinds, lefreQue Sound Solutions, and Key Leaves.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Help support the show & get behind-the-scenes footage not shared anywhere else!

Visit www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to become a patron & help keep the great interviews coming.

Matthew Steckler (aka Matty Stecks) performs and composes in several musical settings internationally. Primarily a saxophonist/woodwind specialist, he also performs on vocals, keyboards, percussion and electronic media, bringing a dynamic, holistic approach to the live musical experience. 

As an artist, Matthew has appeared at prominent festivals and concert series, and has received commissions from Chamber Music America, Meet the Composer, American Music Center and American Composers Forum. 

His recordings with projects Dead Cat Bounce, Persiflage and Musical Tramps – on Ropeadope, Cuneiform and Innova labels – have made Best CD lists in Downbeat and Jazz Times. 

Matthew has written for concert music, theatre, film and game settings, and continues his own foundational work in embodied composition and electroacoustics that began with his 2013 research-based, extended work Eco Beat Heresy. 

He most recently taught at Brandon University School of Music. Matthew holds a Ph.D. in Composition (NYU) and M.M. in Jazz Performance (New England Conservatory), and a B.A. in Music (Wesleyan University).

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• His transition from playing by ear to reading & playing at the same time
• How his marching band playing experience shaped him as a saxophonist
• The origin of Death Cat Bounce
• His transition from playing experimental into bebop
• Electro acoustics & multimedia
• And a lot more!

Help support the show & get behind-the-scenes footage not shared anywhere else!

Visit www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to become a patron & help keep the great interviews coming.

Jennifer Price, creator of Vigilante Mouthpieces,  attended Berklee College of Music where she was a flute major.

After graduating, she left Boston for NYC, where she worked on 48th Street in the music district by day as a woodwind buyer for various shops and played all sorts of jazz and classical gigs nights and weekends. 

She didn’t own a saxophone at Berklee but learned to play after college.  Her teachers were the NY saxophonists who helped me to craft my sound. 

As a buyer on 48th Street, she learned a lot through various well-known saxophonists about mouthpieces, which began her interest in what shapes a mouthpiece sound. 

After working for years in NYC, she was offered a job working with Dave Guardala. At that time, Dave was working with the top saxophonists in the world and his work was well respected. Guardala and Price worked together for more than a decade creating works of musical art for Tom Scott, Branford Marsalis, Bill Evans and most notably Michael Brecker. 

She took the skills learned with Guardala to create her own Vigilante Mouthpieces.  

Price has had the honor of working with four former Tower of Power saxophonists as well as Richard Elliot, Paul Taylor, Euge Groove, Jeff Ryan and many others. 

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Similarities of flute, trumpet, and other horns
• How Dave Guardala met Dave Liebman and Michael Brecker
• How Michael Brecker’s concert changed her perception towards saxophone
• How she picked reeds for Michael Brecker
• What people should look for when choosing reeds
• Her first time meeting Dave Guardala
•  Rules for mouthpieces
• And tons of great stories!

Wanna support the show?

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

Today’s episode is going to give you some insight into one of the best resources for saxophone players at any level.

Harri Rautiainen is the original Founder of the Sax on the Web Forum, a website created over 20 years ago that not only has a vibrant Discussion Forum on a wide range of topics, but also Article and Resources from well-known and respected saxophonists and educators, such as Paul Coates and Tim Price.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• Harri’s initial intention for the website 
• Paul Coates’ first collection of articles
• Early days of Sax on the Web
• Sax on the Web Facebook Group
• Harri’s musical background
• and more!

Help support the show & get behind-the-scenes footage not shared anywhere else!

Visit www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to become a patron & help keep the great interviews coming.

Established in 1974 by Phil Rovner, Rovner® began its journey with the creation of one ligature, the original Dark. Since then, it has expanded its range to encompass four "Classic" models and four "NextGeneration" models. Distributed globally, Rovner® products are cherished by musicians of all levels, from novices to top-tier professionals. Despite numerous imitators, the name "Rovner" commands profound respect and trust within the music community. Musicians consistently turn to Rovner® for its unwavering reliability, exceptional quality, and ongoing commitment to innovation.

Since George Reeder assumed the role of President and Co-Owner of Rovner Products in 2014, the ligature catalog has significantly expanded. Introducing the Next Generation ligatures, including The Versa X, the Star Series, The Legacy, The Platinum, Platinum Gold, and the Van Gogh, Rovner Products has continued to innovate under his leadership. Alongside his wife and Co-Owner, Lynn, they've spearheaded the development of new products, such as the LGX Saxophone Ligature. This innovative ligature was recently unveiled at the NAMM Show 2024, marking a special milestone—the celebration of Rovner's 50th anniversary. 

The LGX ligature is a combination of the Rovner Legacy and Rovner Van Gogh ligatures.

We talked about:

🎷 Celebrating Rovner's 50th Anniversary
🎷 What's new with LGX ligature
🎷 Ligature close-up
🎷 Where can you buy Rovner products

You can catch their Bio, and the link to their website on our site.

This episode was proudly sponsored by Rovner Products, creators of fine ligatures for saxophone and clarinet for almost 50 years.

If you perform in Rock, Blues, Marching Band, Military ensembles, and are tired of getting drowned out by all the other instruments, you need to try Rovner’s latest offering, the LGX Ligature. Pure power without losing the quality of your tone. Just go to www.rovnerproducts.com for more info and to purchase.

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patron, gaining early access to all future NAMM Show episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content not available anywhere else.

If you want access to those videos, sign up now by clicking HERE.

To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, we are really excited to present New York-based saxophonist and composer Sam Newsome.

Sam often works in the medium of solo saxophone, an approach for which he received a five-star review in Downbeat magazine & gained world-wide critical acclaim with his 2009 recording, Blue Soliloquy: Solo Works for Soprano Saxophone. 

Ed Enright, from Downbeat magazine, called the 2014 release, The Straight Horn of Africa, “a modern masterpiece.”

Many of the notes and sounds used in his compositions and improvisations stem from his sound palette of extended techniques and saxophone preparations.

Newsome often attaches tube extensions to the neck of the soprano that significantly changes the timbre of the instrument as well as extends the soprano’s range by an octave or two.

Conceptually speaking, Newsome sees himself more along the lines of a visual artist who paints with notes and sounds rather than shapes and colors.

Newsome has also received numerous accolades for his adventurous work, including this year’s 2020 Instant Award in Improvised Music, along with fellow avant-gardists Peter Brotzmann and John Butcher.

He was also named a nominee for Soprano Saxophonist of the Year by the 2020 Jazz Journalist Association. 

In addition to his solo work, Newsome leads a trio with Hilliard Greene and Reggie Nicholson.

He is a frequent collaborator with drummer Andrew Cyrille, vocalist Fay Victor, and tours regularly with Pepperland, a music and dance work by Mark Morris and Ethan Iverson that pays tribute to The Beatles.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts?

All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming.

If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our Patreon site, https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, we are really excited to present Jaleel Shaw, who has been a long standing member of the Roy Haynes Quartet, the Mingus Big Band and recently joined Tom Harrell’s Color of a Dream band. 

A bandleader in his own right, Jaleel’s solo recordings have been met with rave reviews from publications including The New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, and Jazztimes Magazine. 

In Jazztimes Magazine’s 2011 Readers Poll, he was mentioned as Alto Saxophonist of the Year along with legendary saxophonists Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Bunky Green, and Kenny Garrett. 

Jaleel is a force to be reckoned with and is noted as one of the most influential alto saxophonists of his generation. 

Jaleel has performed and recorded with the likes of Clark Terry, Roy Hargrove, The Mingus Big Band, Christian McBride, Chick Corea, Jason Moran, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Arturo Sandoval, Nicholas Payton, Dave Holland, Jimmy Cobb, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, and the Count Basie Orchestra.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about: 

• Working with Roy Hargrove and Roy Haynes
• Main influence when it comes to his sound
• Jaleel shares Jazz Articulation tips
• What his composing process looks like
• One lesson he wants his students to remember the most
• His under $100 tool he can’t live without
• and more!

Want access to behind the scenes interviews not seen anywhere else, along with searchable transcripts of the shows?

With a small monthly donation of $2 or more, keep the great interviews coming by becoming a patron.

Head on over to our Patreon site to sign up: https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

Shelley Jagow (PhD.), Professor of Music at Wright State University (Dayton, OH), is Director of Bands conducting both the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony, and teaches conducting at the undergraduate and graduate level. 

She is a Vandoren Artist-Clinician, as well as a music education clinician for Conn-Selmer and Meredith Music/GIA Music. 

Shelley has presented clinics and performances at several State Music Educators Conferences as well as the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, NASA (North American Saxophone Alliance), ISME (International Society for Music Education, CMS (College Music Symposium), AMIS (Association for Music in International Schools), and the United States Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium.

Shelley was previously nominated for both the “Robert J. Kegerreis Distinguished Professor of Teaching” Award and the “Brage Golding Distinguished Professor of Research” Award. 

She has published numerous articles in periodicals and is a contributing author to both The Music Director’s Cookbook (Meredith Music), and Teaching Music Through Performance in Band (GIA) series. 

Shelley is the author of Teaching Instrumental Music: Developing the Complete Band Program (2nd edition) (Meredith Music) – a popular textbook for music education degree study across the United States and Canada. More recent publications include Tuning for Wind Instruments: A Roadmap to Successful Intonation (Meredith), Intermediate Studies for Developing Artists on the Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone and Bassoon (Meredith), and The Londeix Lectures—a multi-dvd set archiving the historical lectures of Jean-Marie Londeix (and translated by William Street).

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Want access to behind-the-scenes interviews not seen anywhere else, along with searchable transcripts of the shows?

With a small monthly donation of $2 or more, keep the great interviews coming by becoming a patron.

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March is Women’s History Month, and we are really excited to present the phenomenal multi-genre performer, educator and composer from the UK, Emma McPhilemy.

As a classically trained musician, Emma takes great pleasure in using her refined instrumental skill to experiment and collaborate with other performers. 

From classical, contemporary and improvisational to folk, pop, R&B and dance, she thrives most when creating and pushing the limits and boundaries of cross-genre performance. 

As an educator, Emma has taught private students of all abilities, and presented professional masterclasses and workshops at Universities in China, Australia, UK and Europe. 

Recent career highlights include making her debut concerto performance with The BBC Philharmonic, touring internationally as Musical Director and saxophone soloist in Bill Whelan’s production of ‘Riverdance’, traveling to Australia as guest artist at ‘The Melbourne Saxophone Festival’ and launching her own online, saxophone series (#lockthesaxdown) which has since turned into a global project and fully funded album, to be released over the coming months. 

2021 holds her debut album release and a rescheduled tour with Riverdance. 

Emma plans to make an appearance at the 2022 World Saxophone Congress in Japan, and in Trento at the European Saxophone Congress. 

Emma is endorsed by Selmer Paris, Vandoren and KeyLeaves. 

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Her innovative “Lock the Sax Down” project
• Her experience with folk music as a sax player
• Emma’s approach to improvisation when it comes to different genres
• Equipment and her set-up on alto and soprano sax
• How her musical background allowed her to learn the Riverdance show in a week
• Emma’s approach to teaching
• Her mentors, influences, & inspirations
• The evolution of her practice routines
• Breathing tips for wind musicians
• Above-and-beyond Goal-setting tips!
• The under $100 tool she can’t live without
• and more!

Help us bring more amazing interviews to you, AND get extra special Bonus content when you become a patron!

More info is HERE

Los Angeles-based saxophonist Bob Reynolds is a Grammy-winning member of the instrumental group Snarky Puppy, an award-winning composer, and a prolific recording artist with 10 top-selling solo albums to his credit.

Widely known for his work with both Snarky and John Mayer, he’s been a featured soloist with Grammy-winning instrumentalists like Larry Carlton, Chris Botti, and Jeff Lorber and worked with a host of pop artists including Michael Bublé, Idina Menzel, Josh Groban, The 1975, and USHER.

The New York Times called him “a self-assured saxophonist and an unassuming yet effective composer,” and his solo albums showcase his melodic improvisational style, tuneful songwriting, and, as the LA Times put it: “hip-swiveling” grooves. His Guitar Band album, filmed live in concert, has over 4 million views on YouTube.

A pioneer in online education, Bob has coached thousands of musicians since 2010 through his innovative Virtual Studio, and more than 76,000 people subscribe to Bob’s YouTube channel where he shares behind-the-scenes videos of what it’s like balancing his music career with raising a family.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Biggest influences when it comes to playing, composing, and improvisation
• What does jazz really mean?
• The importance of learning jazz when it comes to improvisation
• Why you should learn and play rhythm section instruments
• His first tool for composing
• The under $100 tool he can’t live without

Wanna support the show?

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

Our 101st guest is Brent Vaartstra, a professional jazz guitarist living in New York City, and the Director of the internationally renowned jazz education company, Learn Jazz Standards. 

Even though Brent plays guitar, we thought it would be incredibly valuable for you to know about Learn Jazz Standards and to get into the mind of a really great jazz teacher.

Brent has helped hundreds of thousands of musicians around the world take their jazz playing to the next level, through his blog, podcast, YouTube channel, and online courses.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Brent’s contribution to the jazz community
• How he discovered the tenets of a good improviser
• His approach as a teacher on the internet’s information overload
• What made him start Learn Jazz Standards
• Learn Jazz Live 2021 2-day Virtual Summit
• How basic music theory can go a long way
• The $100 tool he can’t live without

Become a patron!

Patrons get access to bonus behind-the-scenes interviews not seen anywhere else, along with searchable transcripts of the shows.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming.

If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our Patreon site. 

https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

Alexa Tarantino is an award-winning, vibrant, young jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and educator. 

Tarantino was recently named one of the “Top 5 Alto Saxophonists of 2019” by the JazzTimes Critics’ Poll. 

She has performed regularly as a leader and side woman with the Alexa Tarantino Quartet,  Cecile McLorin, Ulysses Owens Jr., LSAT (the quintet co-led with baritone saxophonist, Lauren Sevian), Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Sherrie Maricle & the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. 

Alexa is an artist on the Posi-Tone Records label, and her debut quartet record, Winds of Change, released late-May 2019, peaked at #15 on the JazzWeek Charts and landed at #79 for JazzWeek’s Top 100 records of 2019. Her second record is Clarity, released in June 2020, which features Steven Feifke (piano), Joe Martin (bass), and Rudy Royston (drums). 

She is currently on faculty for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Youth Programs, and represents the organization as a Clinician and Educator for various schools, festivals, and workshops. 

Alexa holds a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School and Bachelor’s degrees in Jazz Saxophone Performance and Music Education from the Eastman School of Music. 

She is the Founder and Director of the Rockport Jazz Workshop in Rockport, Massachusetts and Co-Founder of A Step Ahead Jazz virtual workshop with pianist Steven Feifke. 

Alexa Tarantino is a Vandoren Artist and Yamaha Performing Artist.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Her solfege project, So You Think You Can Solfege 
• Her musical background, and the connection with Music Learning Theory
• Working with baritone saxophonist, Lauren Sevian
• How she developed her own voice
• Being a musician during the pandemic
• Her studio set-up
• Her musical influences
• Future of improvised music post-covid
• and more

Become a Patron! For as little as $2 a month, you get access to behind the scenes Bonus footage, PLUS searchable transcripts from the episodes.

Just go HERE to keep the show going.

Over the last 30 years, British saxophonist Tim Garland has forged a reputation as a highly distinctive and in-demand musician and composer.

Whilst often inspired by influences from the diverse European classical tradition, his celebrated virtuosity as a saxophonist and improviser maintains his position as one of the UK’s most authentic jazz voices.

He has toured with Ronnie Scotts and with Chick Corea for 17 years. Playing tenor and soprano saxes, bass clarinet and flute, he also won a Grammy for his symphonic orchestrations on Corea’s “The New Crystal Silence” album from 2007.

Garland has fulfilled commissions from several of the worlds’ top orchestras, including  a double concerto from the LSO, a piano concerto for Gwilym Simcock from  The Royal Northern Sinfonia, with whom he went on to record three CDs, a cello and sax concerto from the CBSO, and a sax concerto from the BBC Concert Orchestra.

In 2016 he premiered  “Re:Focus”  (a re-imagining of the Getz /Sauter project of 1962 ‘Focus’) to a full house at London’s Wigmore Hall, which was released in 2020. 

Garland has been a research professor in new music styles at both Newcastle University and The Royal Northern College Of Music, as well as a regular visiting professor at The Royal Academy Of Music London. He has led workshops around the world and been a visiting artist at Leeds College of Music and Oriel College Oxford amongst others. He has twice been a judge in the BBC Young Jazz Musician Of The Year Award.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• Tim’s Winter Encounters Project 
•  Advice on making music deliverable 
• Working with a singer
•  Playing saxophone as an accompaniment
• Working with Chick Corea
• and a whole lot more!

Become a Patron! For as little as $2 a month, you get access to behind the scenes Bonus footage, PLUS searchable transcripts from the episodes.

Just go HERE to keep the show going.

Sax-Man, Elan Trotman, who has quickly become one of the fastest rising stars in jazz with over 10 Billboard topping radio singles in his young career.

Trotman brings his tropical grooves and soulful Caribbean flavors to major festivals and cruises worldwide.

In addition to a successful solo career, the Berklee College of Music graduate has also worked as a side-man with some of the biggest names in the biz including Roberta Flack, Jeffrey Osborne, Johnny Gill, Peabo Bryson, Michael McDonald, Jonathan Butler, Sheila E and Earl Klugh.

Trotman is also the Executive Producer of the Annual Barbados Jazz Excursion which directly supports Elan’s Never Lose Your Drive Foundation in Barbados.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• His transition from brass to woodwind embouchure
• Mentors from Berklee who went back to Barbados & the piece of advice from his mentors that he still uses today
• How a missed opportunity with Alicia Keys changed his career
• Thoughts on album releases and touring & what he did to get more opportunities as a touring musician
• How his culture influenced his songwriting
• His foundation and how he helped music students in Barbados
• The under $100 tool he can’t live without

Help support the show & get behind-the-scenes footage not shared anywhere else!

Visit www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to become a patron & help keep the great interviews coming.

You may not be familiar with Dana Robbins’ name, but odds are you’re already well-acquainted with her unique, bright yet smoky saxophone sound. The Nashville-by-way-of-Ann-Arbor (with a ten-year stop in Los Angeles) Robbins has been a featured player for superstars including Barry Manilow, Roger Daltrey, Frank Zappa, TajMo (Taj Mahal and Keb Mo), Aretha Franklin and can currently be heard in Grammy-winning blues legend Delbert McClinton’s band.

With the release of her new, self-titled, album, listeners will finally be able to put a name, a face and a voice to her sound. Just click on the album’s first track, the sly, tart “Say It Again,” and you’ll understand why Music City insiders consider her an instrumental MVP, a first-call when you’re looking for a sax player.

Having started on piano at age 4 and saxophone in 5th grade, studying with great teachers throughout middle and high school and attending Berklee College of Music, Dana has an extensive music background and some serious chops.

Dana has 3 albums out – you can purchase them on her site at www.DanaRobbins.com 

Dana is a Yamaha-endorsed artist.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• how she landed the Delbert McClinton gig, and has been performing with him for many years
• the funny story behind her audition for Barry Manilow, and how she got that gig
• what it was like working with Aretha Franklin
• how she has been surviving during the pandemic and a great resource for performers who want extra income creating recordings
• the simple, yet effective equipment she used for sending recordings to producers (and even Keb Mo!)
• Dana’s secret to her warm and smoky tone
• her mentors and inspirations
• the under $100 tool she can’t live without
• and so much more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts?

All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming.

If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our Patreon site, 

https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

There was a ton of action going on at the P. Mauriat booth during the NAMM Show 2024. Despite that, I still had the privilege of speaking with Jeremiah True, Brand Manager at P. Mauriat, who is a really special guy.

Jeremiah True is a versatile woodwind performer proficient in all saxophones, clarinets, flutes, and bassoon. With a rich background spanning orchestral, jazz, theatre pits, and rock 'n roll, he brings extensive experience to every performance. Recently, he concluded a distinguished 21-year tenure in the US Air Force Band Program, marking a celebrated chapter in his musical journey.

P. Mauriat instruments are crafted with unparalleled attention to detail. Each saxophone body undergoes extensive hand-hammering, up to 400 times, ensuring exceptional resonance. Precision is paramount, with each tone hole drawn individually for consistent response and intonation. Their lacquer process, applied in three stages, creates a timeless vintage finish. Hand engraving, done with a simple tool and years of expertise, adds a final touch of mastery. Every instrument is meticulously inspected by their quality control team to guarantee excellence.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 20th anniversary alto and tenor saxophones
🎷 P. Mauriat touring case
🎷 How his ability to double changed his life
🎷 How he managed practicing and mastering his craft with an extremely busy schedule
🎷 And much more!

You can catch their Bio, and the link to their website on our site.

This episode was proudly sponsored by Rovner Products, creators of fine ligatures for saxophone and clarinet for almost 50 years.

If you perform in Rock, Blues, Marching Band, Military ensembles, and are tired of getting drowned out by all the other instruments, you need to try Rovner’s latest offering, the LGX Ligature. Pure power without losing the quality of your tone. Just go to www.rovnerproducts.com for more info and to purchase.

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patron, gaining early access to all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content not available anywhere else.

If you want access to those videos, sign up now by clicking HERE.

Danny Markovitch is the co-leader and founder of the jazz-fusion band, Marbin.

Marbin is a progressive jazz-rock band based in Chicago, IL, with a unique story that stands out in today’s music world.

With a do-it-yourself approach, Marbin started touring extensively in 2011, bringing their original instrumental music to every part of the United States. Through word of mouth, Marbin has gained hundreds of thousands of devoted fans all over the world and has sold tens of thousands of albums.

Marbin has released eight albums: Marbin (2009), Breaking the Cycle (2011), Last Chapter of Dreaming (2013), The Third Set (2014), Aggressive Hippies (2015), Goatman and the House of the Dead(2016), Israeli Jazz (2018), and Strong Thing (2019).

Its most recent, Russian Dolls, was just released on its Bandcamp site on November 6, 2020.

Marbin regularly plays in clubs all over the US and in jam and jazz festivals around the world.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Danny’s Introduction to Music in Israel
• What made Danny choose Saxophone
• Military journey and starting from ground zero
• Set-up and Equipment
• Thoughts on practice, routines, and exercises
• Tips on improvisation
• His approach to soloing and songwriting
• Process on music composition
• Danny’s unique partnership with his guitar player Dani Rabin

Want access to behind-the-scenes interviews not seen anywhere else, along with searchable transcripts of the shows?

With a small monthly donation of $2 or more, keep the great interviews coming by becoming a patron.

Head on over to our Patreon site to sign up: https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

Phil Rovner founded Rovner Products in 1974, when he created the Original Dark ligature. To this day, that ligature is still one of the top sellers in the entire Rovner catalog.

Over the years, more Classic models were developed, such as the Light, the Eddie Daniels (the Versa replaced this one), and the Mk III.

When George Reeder, current President and Co-Owner of Rovner Products took over in 2014, the ligature catalog has expanded to include the Next Generation ligatures: The Versa X, the Star Series, The Legacy, The Platinum, Platinum Gold and the Van Gogh.

Since I’ve been getting so many questions on the Van Gogh ligature, in this episode, George gives more background and a demo on how to properly place this unique ligature.

Since 2014, he and his wife and Co-Owner, Lynn, have developed even more products, some of which we are going to talk about in this episode.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Help us bring more amazing interviews to you, AND get extra special Bonus content when you become a patron!

More info is HERE

Doug Levin started playing saxophone at the age of 10. His earliest influences were guitar players like Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Steve Vai, whose sonic explorations would inform his love of effects and pedals. His love of music expanded and his broadening musical capacity led him to play with such greats as The Manhattan Transfer, Buddy Guy, and many more. His musical journey eventually took him to Oberlin College and Conservatory where he met his HornFX partner, Aaron Janik. 

In 2016 they created HornFX, a unique resource for the horn player looking to use effects. Its reviews, books, articles, artist pages, and effects databases are specifically geared to inform any horn player about what effects and pedals might best provide the sounds and capabilities they are looking for.

The goal of HornFX is to give the most comprehensive, complete, well-thought-out information and advice to the pedal-seeking horn player. 

Aaron and Doug also give lessons and consultations, build curriculums for middle school, high school, and higher education, build custom pedalboards for musicians, and work with some of the most accomplished musicians in the world to develop, build, and refine their effects set-up.

This was a special episode…Doug and I had been talking about how we could help saxophone players now, especially in the age of COVID 19, to refine their performances using effects pedals.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

•  how solo saxophone players can use effects pedals to enhance their show
•  Doug’s advice for playing vocal melodies with effects pedals
•  Live Streaming; how to sound great using effects pedals
•  the different roles the performer takes when considering which pedals to use
•  how to think like a producer and play less
•  tips for using effects pedals with jam tracks
•  Doug performed a ton of demos
• and a whole lot more!

Wanna show your love and support for the show?

Become a patron!

Patrons get access to bonus behind-the-scenes interviews not seen anywhere else, along with searchable transcripts of the shows.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming.

If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our Patreon site. 

https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

Grammy award winning baritone saxophonist Lauren Sevian is one of the most in demand musicians on the scene today. 

She is the Winner of the “Rising Star” Baritone Saxophonist in the 67th Downbeat Critics Poll and  Winner of the Hothouse Jazz Awards Baritone Saxophone 2019.

Ms. Sevian came to NYC in 1997 to attend the Manhattan School of Music, and soon thereafter began touring with groups such as Diva and the Artie Shaw Orchestra. 

She can be seen performing as a bandleader around the NYC area with her quartet, the LSQ, or LSAT, her quintet co-led with alto saxophonist Alexa Tarantino, which recently won first place in the “Made in NY” jazz competition. 

She is also co-director of the all female collective “Lioness™️’”. 

As a side woman, she can be heard regularly with the Mingus Big Band, and has performed with countless other groups, notably the Dizzy Gillespie all star big band, Christian McBride’s Big Band, Robin Eubanks Big Band, and the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. 

Her debut album “Blueprint” was released on saxophonist Greg Osby’s label Inner Circle Music to critical acclaim, winning a SESAC jazz award for national performance activity, and receiving rave reviews in publications such as Downbeat, Cadence, and All About Jazz. 

Her sophomore album, “Bliss”, was released spring 2018 on Posi-tone Records, and features all stars of the jazz scene, Alexa Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Christian McBride, and E.J. Strickland. 

Her versatility as a musician has led her to a variety of playing situations, working with the likes of actor Denis Leary, with Maurice Hines in the theater production of “Tappin Thru Life”, and with Harry Connick Jr. in his broadway show “A Celebration of Cole Porter”. 

She is a frequent guest artist at many universities, high schools, middle schools, and jazz festivals across the country. As an educator, she has been teaching privately for over 15 years. 

She is on the jazz saxophone faculty at the Manhattan School of Music, Jazz at Lincoln Center as the director of the “Young Women’s Jazz Orchestra”, instructor for the middle school jazz academy, Summer Jazz Academy at Bard College, and Jazz House Kids Summer Jazz Workshop. 

She has adjudicated at many jazz competitions & festivals, notably the Essentially Ellington Competition at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Monterey Jazz Festivals’ “Next Generation Jazz Festival”, the Victoria Music Festival in Melbourne, Australia, and the Eau Claire Jazz Festival at the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire. Ms. Sevian endorses Buffet-Crampon saxophones, D’addario Woodwinds, RPC mouthpieces, Key Leaves, Robinson’s Remedies, and BG France accessories.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Lauren’s “Strong Island”/Long Island connection with Donna
• The solos she transcribed that were most influential
• Having a confident mindset
• Her tips for increasing your breath support
• How to approach performing as a duo
• How Greg Osby inspired her to record
• Her early years in the NY Jazz scene
• Her playing partnership with Alexa Tarantino 
• How the Lioness Collective started
• Being a woman in Jazz today
• and a whole lot more!

Want to show your love and support for the Everything Saxophone Podcast?

Become a Patron! For as little as $2 a month, you get access to behind-the-scenes Bonus footage, PLUS searchable transcripts from the episodes.

Just go HERE to keep the show going.

Adrian Crutchfield has taken the world by storm in recent years, not only as the last sax player to perform and record with Prince, touring the world and being featured on Prince’s last three albums, but also touring domestically and internationally with acts such as Lionel Ritchie, Bette Midler, and Cee-Lo Green — all the while writing and building his 2017 release titled ‘Leap’.

In jazz, Mr. Crutchfield has been featured by names such as Kim Waters, Mike Phillps, Alex Bugnon, Jeff Lorber, and Branford Marsalis; and with legendary groups such as Fourplay and The Gap Band featuring Charlie Wilson.

Adrian is a 2008 graduate of Florida State University (B.A. in Music with a concentration in jazz, contemporary media, and commercial music).

Although young, this saxophone aficionado is one of his generation’s most prolific and successful professional musicians.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

•  how Kenny G inspired him to play saxophone
•  the #1 lesson he learned from performing with Prince
•  the Harry Potter connection between the magical world and the musical world that helps him relate to his fans
•  why singers were his biggest influences when he first started playing
•  and so much more in this Epic almost 2-hour interview!

And get awesome behind-the-scenes footage not shared anywhere else!

There is extra bonus footage from Adrian and Laura Dreyer and Kim Cypher.

Check out our Patreon site today 🎷

Saxophonist, flutist, and composer Laura Dreyer is a vibrant, creative voice in the New York jazz scene.

Her catchy original compositions combine lyrical melodies with jazz, Brazilian rhythms, funk, and rock, resulting in an exciting, contemporary palette of sound with a strong rhythmic twist.

A multi-instrumentalist, Dreyer performs both nationally and internationally with her Brazilian Jazz ensemble, “Laura Dreyer and the Manhattan/Rio Connection,” while additionally being in great demand as a side-person.

Audiences have heard her in the bands of such diverse artists as Dr. Billy Taylor, Dom Salvador, Helcio Milito, Portinho, Bossa PDX, Walter Bishop Jr., Mel Lewis, Robert Palmer, Nnenna Freelon, saxophonist/author James McBride, “The Diva Jazz Orchestra, and many others.

Laura has recorded four CDs as a leader/producer, including Mysterious Encounter (Lavasphere), Free Flying Bird (Sony/Piloo), and Sax in the City (Apria), and Vida. Arte. Amor. (Mayimba Jazz). She is also featured on acclaimed Brazilian pianist Dom Salvador’s newest release, The Art of Samba Jazz, which received a Premio da Musica Brasileira award for Best Instrumental CD.

Laura attended The Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music form SUNY Empire State College. She has additionally studied with saxophonists Joe Henderson and Joe Lovano, and composers Lyle Mays and Jim McNeely. She is active as a music educator, having served on the faculties of the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Clinics, Cazadero Music and Arts Camp, Jazz Camp West, and the New York Pops Salute to Music Program.

She was a featured performer and educator in Busan, South Korea at The Friends of Music in Korea Music Festival, and is currently on the faculty of Village Community School, Riverdale Country School, and The New York POPS PopsEd program.

Laura regularly conducts clinics and workshops at high schools and colleges which have included Berklee College of Music, The University of Reno, Nevada, Portland State University, The Jazz Improv Convention, and The California Jazz Conservatory.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Laura’s experience being one of the original band members in the Diva Jazz Orchestra
• Being a female jazz player; the differences from the ‘90’s – now
• How to decide on your “look”
• Preparing for jam sessions; 5 tunes you should know and her mindset tips
• Lead alto saxophone responsibilities in a big band
• Tips for authentically performing and composing Brazilian music
• Essential Brazilian musicians you should know (and Laura provided us with a free pdf!)
•  and a lot more!

Wanna support the show?

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

Kim Cypher is creating quite a stir on the jazz scene at present, emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting saxophonists, vocalists and composers and firmly securing a reputation for top quality, stylish, accessible jazz and musical entertainment.

Inspired by the funkier side of jazz and having studied alongside US saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard, Kim’s style of performance is best described as ‘funky saxophonist meets 1940’s jazz singer’. Kim performs an eclectic mix of music spanning many genres with a quirky, jazzy twist together with her own original material.

Kim’s debut album ‘Make Believe’ was released at the end of 2016, receiving glowing reviews and culminating in a highly successful album tour with sell-out shows across the UK in 2017/18.

Kim’s 2nd album ‘Love Kim x’ (a collection of inspired original music and quirky takes on some well-known classics) was released May 2019 and was listed in the Top 10 jazz albums of 2019 by online jazz magazine Bebop Spoken Here. The album and tour featured Pee Wee Ellis plus some of the finest jazz musicians in the UK and US including saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis, David Newton on piano (14 times winner of best pianist in the British Jazz Awards), Clive Morton on double bass (ex-tutor to Jamie Cullum and long-time sideman with Frank Sinatra and Stephane Grappelli), Karl Vanden Bossche on percussion (Incognito, Jamiroquai, Joss Stone, Sade, Simply Red, Michael Buble), New York guitarist B.D. Lenz to name just a few.

In March 2020 (just before the coronavirus hit) Kim performed a sold-out show in Soho London with special guest Jazz Giant Ray Gelato. This was part of Kim’s ‘For Mum’ project raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity. The project ran alongside release of a brand new original song and video ‘All For You’ in April 2020. The project has so far raised over £2500 for the charity.

Kim has been featured on local TV, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio London ‘live’ plus international radio stations.

Her unique ‘funky’ style of saxophone playing has been built upon influences by great players such as Gerald Albright, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, Andy Sheppard, Dean Fraser, Courtney Pine and Grover Washington. Kim’s vocal style has been influenced by the great Billie Holiday together with a wide range of vocalists / performers including Gunhild Carling, Imelda May, Caro Emerald and Liane Carroll.

In 2019 Kim was featured in the award winning ‘Women In Jazz’ book by author Sammy Stein and published by 8th House where she is described as “one of the UK’s most popular players”.

In 2016 Kim was flown to New York with her jazz quartet for a private jazz performance in Manhattan. In 2017 Kim was commissioned to perform a private event for the UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• Her “secret” exercise she loves to warm up with
• A huge tip from Andy Snitzer that’s helped her with tone
• How she created her unique style
• How she went from full-time school teacher to full-time musician
• How she’s created performing opportunities during the COVID 19 Pandemic
•  and a lot more!

Become a supporter of the Everything Saxophone Podcast!

Go to our Patreon Page, and for a small monthly donation (from $2-$5), you get behind-the-scenes access to footage from the interviews that is not released anywhere else.

This episode is part 1 of a 2-part series with Doug Levin and Aaron Janik from Horn-FX. 

In 2015, their love of effects and pedals had led Doug Levin and Aaron Janik to various corners of the six-stringed internet and back rooms of guitar centers, only to realize an unfortunate thing: There was nowhere to find information about effects and pedals from the perspective, or made for horn players. 

In 2016 they created HornFX, a unique resource for the horn player looking to use effects. Its reviews, books, articles, artist pages, and effects databases are specifically geared to inform any horn player about what effects and pedals might best provide the sounds and capabilities they are looking for.

The goal of HornFX to give the most comprehensive, complete, well-thought-out information and advice to the pedal seeking horn player. 

Aaron and Doug also give lessons and consultations, build curriculums for middle school, high school, and higher education, build custom pedalboards for musicians, and work with some of the most accomplished musicians in the world to develop, build, and refine their effects set-up.

Doug Levin started playing saxophone at the age of 10. His earliest influences were guitar players like Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Steve Vai, whose sonic explorations would inform his love of effects and pedals. His love of music expanded and his broadening musical capacity led him to play with such greats as The Manhattan Transfer, Buddy Guy, and many more. His musical journey eventually took him to Oberlin College and Conservatory where he met his HornFX partner, Aaron Janik.

The musical community at Oberlin was astounding and helped Doug’s musicality clarify and mature. After college, he became a working musician while taking on the business world full time. This double-edged hustle continues to this day as he runs HornFX along with Aaron, plays professionally, and spends his days working hard importing and distributing construction materials. HornFX remains Doug’s passion and allows him to lend his expertise to his wide musical network in a meaningful and fulfilling way.

Trumpeter, Educator, and HornFX Co-Founder Aaron Janik has been steeped in the discipline of music since the age of ten. The Massachusetts native’s earliest introduction to music is by way of revered New England trumpeter Jack Martin, whose expert tutelage molded Aaron into a well-rounded musician, fluent in all genres.

Aaron now resides in Los Angeles, CA where he teaches and regularly performs and records with artists across the country, touring with chart-topping artists like R&B First Lady Faith Evans, Charlie Wilson,and others. He has also performed with Earth, Wind, & Fire, Lil Kim, 112, Total, The Yellowjackets, Patrice Rushen, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Robin Eubanks, Bob Mintzer, Tom Scott, and many others.

Aaron completed his undergraduate studies at Oberlin College of Arts & Sciences in May 2013 with a Jazz Trumpet Performance degree as well as a Biology (pre-medical) degree. He also received his Masters degree from USC in Spring 2020, studying with Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua, Vince Mendoza, and others.   

Aaron endorses B.A.C. trumpets and Denis Wick mouthpieces. He also endorses Strymon, Morley, Pigtronix, Eventide, and Source Audio pedals as well as 64 Audio in-ears.

The link to their full biographies, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this interview, we talked about: 

• How using effects can enable horn players to compete in modern music situations
• What a beginner should think about before using pedals
• How to use pedals to hear yourself at gigs
• What an advanced pedal user needs to think about to get the most from their sound with pedals
• A demonstration of the most commonly used effects pedals
• And so much more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts?

All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming.

If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our Patreon site, 

https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

This episode is part 2 of a 2-part series with Antonio Hart. The 1st part, episode 86, was all about jazz history. You can check that out on our site saxophonepodcast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

For this episode, we went deeper into Antonio’s own story. His influences, thought processes and more.

Antonio Hart is a Grammy-nominated Alto Saxophonist, Composer, and Educator, who regularly performs with the Dave Holland Band and the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, along with his own group.

He spent three years performing and recording with the late great Roy Hargrove, and has been a guest on over 100 recordings.

He has recorded 8 CD’s as a leader, and his latest CD is called Blessings.

He currently is a full-time Professor at The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.

His journey in music started when music programs were cut at his school in Baltimore, Maryland. He had to find a way to pass the audition to get into the High School for Performing Arts or else he would have no avenue to continue pursuing music.

Luckily for the jazz world, he did pass the audition, and it was the life lessons he learned in that school, along with the values and strong mentorship from the late great Jimmy Heath that propelled Antonio to create Grammy-nominated records, perform with some of the greatest legends of Jazz, and direct the Jazz Studies program at Queens College.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this interview, we talked about: 

• Martial arts, and how his passion for it influences his approach to music
• How he’s felt he had to “come from behind” in order to push himself further with music
• The mentorship from Jimmy Heath, and how it’s impacted every aspect of his life
• Stories from Jimmy Heath’s heyday, performing and hanging out with other jazz legends
• What Miles Davis’ voice really sounded like before he damaged his vocal cords
• His approach to tone – he went into this extensively
• And so much more!

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Multi-instrumentalist, Vocalist, Composer Camille Thurman is the first woman in 30 years to tour and perform full time two seasons as a saxophonist with the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for 2 seasons.  

Camille has shared stages with such jazz and R&B luminaries as George Coleman, Roy Haynes, Dianne Reeves, Wynton Marsalis, The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JALCO) featuring Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Barron, Buster Williams, Charles Tolliver, Jack DeJohnette, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Terri Lyne Carrington, Jon Hendricks, Harry Connick Jr., Jon Batiste,  Audra MacDonald, Diana Krall, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Louis Hayes, Russell Malone, Nicholas Payton, Jacky Terrasson, Janelle Monáe, Alicia Keys, Lalah Hathaway, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu, among others.

Camille has been runner up in the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, two-time winner of the ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award and a winner of the Fulbright Scholars Cultural Ambassador Grant, The Chamber Music of America Performance Plus Grant (Sponsored by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation) and the Jazz Coalition Composers Grant among others. Thurman also has four full-length recordings as a leader to her credit.

She is endorsed by D’Addario Woodwinds & Co. for reeds, Conn-Selmer Inc. for saxophones and Key Leaves saxophone products.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this interview, we talked about: 

• How to approach a standard to make it your own
• How Camille used networking to become a 1st-call musician in NYC
• What Camille thinks about when improvising
• The influence of mentors, like Tia Fuller, Antoine Roney, Terri Lynne Carrington
• Camille’s funny story about how she switched from alto to tenor sax
• Tips for developing your tone
• And so much more!

Help us bring more amazing interviews to you, AND get extra special Bonus content when you become a patron!

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In this episode, I had the pleasure of meeting Steve Teeters and Tyler Rogers of Claude Lakey Woodwinds at the NAMM Show 2024 to discuss their amazing saxophone mouthpieces.

For over fifty years, Claude Lakey's enduring legacy has thrived within the company he established, evolving from its modest inception in a corner of a music shop in 1962 to its esteemed stature today. Today, as a family-owned enterprise, the company continues Lakey's tradition, offering premium, American-made mouthpieces, compass ligatures, and music accessories of exceptional quality.

Claude Lakey Mouthpieces has a tradition of responding to their customers' needs to give musicians complete diversity in the genre to suit any gig they might play.

Claude Lakey mouthpieces come bundled with Rovner Products ligatures.

We talked about:

🎷 The History of Claude Lakey Mouthpieces
🎷 How Banda Music influenced Lakey Mouthpieces to create a new Clarinet mouthpiece
🎷 Apollo, Ebony, and Rhodium models

You can catch their Bio, and the link to their website on our site.

This episode was proudly sponsored by Rovner Products, creators of fine ligatures for saxophone and clarinet for almost 50 years.

If you perform in Rock, Blues, Marching Band, Military ensembles, and are tired of getting drowned out by all the other instruments, you need to try Rovner's latest offering, the LGX Ligature. Pure power without losing the quality of your tone. Just go to www.rovnerproducts.com for more info and to purchase.

Support the show and get early access to all NAMM Show 2024 episodes! Plus Bonus episodes and searchable transcripts.
Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone for details

In this episode, you are going to get a great Jazz History lesson. When I was getting my Master’s Degree at Queens College, I took a Jazz History course that I never forgot.

The Professor was a well-known, widely regarded Jazz musician even in his early thirties.

Grammy-nominated Alto Saxophonist, Composer, and Educator, Antonio Hart, regularly performs with the Dave Holland Band and the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, along with his own group.

He spent three years performing and recording with the late great Roy Hargrove, and has been a guest on over 100 recordings.

He has recorded 8 CD’s as a leader, and his latest CD is called Blessings.

He currently is a full-time Professor at The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this interview, we talked about: 

• 1 simple, powerful tip to get started with Jazz history
• Antonio’s list of influential alto and tenor players from then to now
• His special relationship with Jimmy Heath, and the new recordings from Jimmy that are due to come out
• How to listen to your favorite musicians
• How Jazz  & Blues are intertwined
• How using curiosity can improve your playing
• The struggles of Black musicians in the past and especially in today’s climate
• And so much more!

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Doug Webb, a great saxophonist based here in Los Angeles, is featured on hundreds of recordings for artists including Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Sal Marquez, Stanley Clarke, Brian Bromberg, Quincy Jones, Mat Marucci, Bobby Caldwell, Kyle Eastwood, Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, Queen Latifah and Cher. He played for fifteen years with the Doc Severinsen Tonight Show Big Band. 

He has recorded music for hundreds of movies and television programs, including playing for the Family Guy orchestra. He solos on the soundtrack for Million Dollar Baby and Gran Torino.

He has 16 albums out as a leader, with one of his recent ones being a collaboration with Greg Fishman.

And he has one of the most extensive horn and mouthpiece collections in the world!

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this interview, we talked about: 

• What it was like in the studio playing on the soundtrack for Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino
• The Coltrane record that changed Doug’s saxophone playing forever
• How he practiced improvisation, without any lessons from a private teacher or online videos
• His CRAZY practice schedule that made him the monster player that he is today 
• A funny experience with Warne Marsh
• What to copy when listening to the masters
• What you will learn in his 2-hour masterclass on reharmonizations and modal playing
• And so much more!

Your support for the Everything Saxophone Podcast would be greatly appreciated!

Please go to our Patreon site and for a small monthly donation, you can help defray the costs of presenting and hosting the podcast and keep the great interviews coming.

New York Born and raised multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter, Augie Bello’s musical style is distinctly eclectic and incorporates elements of funk, pop, r&b, jazz and electronic music. Taking influence from artists including, Allen Stone, Michael Brecker, Mura Masa, Amy Winehouse, and multiple others has given him an extremely unique sound. 

Soon after starting college at The New School for Jazz, Bello realized that with music as a career, he needed to create his own opportunities and success. With this knowledge, Bello started to post videos of his music to Instagram in 2018. Since then, he has grown a following of over 59k people who are eager to hear his original music. Through Instagram, Bello has met and recorded with multiple artists including, Teddy Swims, Austin Kolbe and many others. 

Since the beginning of his musical journey, Bello has been bringing his comedic personality and unique style into everything he does. With each day, his goal is to make someone smile and this shines through with the music he plays and creates.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this interview, taken during the NAMM Show in January 2020, we talked about: 

• How he’s built a large following on social media
• How he makes the transition from the practice room to the stage
• The best goal to have as a performer 
• His mindset for playing at jams
• How to perform for your audiences
• How he approaches altissimo – he shares the exact fingerings he uses
• How he performs split tones
• His latest single at the time, Candy
• And so much more!

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