Everything Saxophone Podcast

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

Victory Musical Instruments remains the top choice for musicians and dealers worldwide due to its commitment to excellence. Offering exceptional sound quality, precise intonation, and improved mechanisms, Victory Instruments are designed with musicians' needs in mind. These wind instruments, prized by musicians globally, stand out for their superb craftsmanship and unique design.

Driven by a passion for music and a commitment to excellence, Victory Musical Instruments strives to deliver instruments that exceed expectations. Whether you're a seasoned musician or a discerning dealer, Victory Instruments promises a superior musical experience through superb quality, innovative design, and a dedication to customer satisfaction.

In this episode, I spoke with Melvin Quinones, the founder and President of Victory Musical Instruments, about their amazing products, including the new screw-less saxophones showcased at the NAMM Show 2024.

We talked about:

🎷 The revolutionary new saxophone design that will change the industry 🎷 Close-up of revelation series horn 🎷 New Low C# key guard

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.

Established in 1919 by Jesse James Babbitt, the JJ Babbitt Company, Inc. is the industry's oldest mouthpiece manufacturer for clarinets and saxophones. Still family-owned, it's now led by Steve and Debbie Rorie and remains rooted in Elkhart, Indiana.

Based in Elkhart, Indiana, formerly hailed as "The Band Instrument Capital of the World," the JJ Babbitt Company has crafted millions of mouthpieces over its century-plus history. It holds the title of the world's leading producer of woodwind mouthpieces for students, intermediate players, and professionals alike.

Renowned globally for their craftsmanship, performance, and value, Babbitt products are highly esteemed. Sold solely through music dealers and distributors, mouthpiece variations bear brand names such as Otto Link, Meyer, Meyer Bros, Premiere by Hite, and J&D Hite. Additionally, the company offers custom models and private labeling services, catering to individuals seeking to develop and market their own mouthpiece lines.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 History of the Otto Link mouthpieces 🎷 LA mouthpiece 🎷 Tone Master  🎷 Florida model

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.

Level up your sax experience!

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patron, gaining early access to all all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

Silverstein Works is an accessories company committed to excellence in the realm of music. 

They specialize in researching and developing premium-quality products, aiming to set the highest standard in performance and usability for musicians.

During this year's NAMM Show, I had the opportunity to speak with Calvin Son, President and Director of Artist Relationships at Silverstein Works, about their new Saxophone Mouthpieces and Reeds, which I am very excited to showcase.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 Silverstein ligatures - Hexa 🎷 Leo Alto Sax mouthpiece 🎷 Leo Tenor Sax mouthpiece 🎷 Ambipoly Jazz Reed 🎷 Ambipoly Classic Reed 🎷 and much more!

"The Ambipoly Reeds actually absorb moisture, allowing the reed to have a cane-like sound" - Calvin Son

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

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.

Saxophonist, flutist, and educator Sharel Cassity is a standout in New York and Chicago jazz circles. Named the 2023 "Rising Star Alto Saxophone" and featured on Downbeat Magazine's cover, she's graced TV shows like Today, Good Morning America, and The Colbert Show. Honored in the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, Sharel's also received the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award.

Sharel's collaborated with Grammy winners like Jennifer Hudson, Natalie Merchant, and Aretha Franklin, plus artists like Vanessa Williams and Ruben Blades. In jazz, she's shared the stage with legends like Herbie Hancock and Wynton Marsalis, and even performed with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. As a bandleader, her albums have earned rave reviews from top publications and led to exciting collaborations like Altoizm, Precarious Towers, and her upcoming project, Alliance.

Cassity is passionate about jazz education, founding the non-profit program "Jazz Up!" to bring live jazz experiences to suburban students unable to access them otherwise. As a jazz professor at DePaul University and Elgin Community College in Chicago, she's dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians. Keep an eye out for their upcoming event, the Summer Combo Intensive, scheduled for June 17-22, 2024!

Sharel proudly represents Yamaha and Vandoren as a Performing Artist, exclusively utilizing Yamaha instruments and Vandoren equipment. Additionally, she joins in celebrating Vandoren's 20-year anniversary.

Her latest album, "ALLIANCE," released on Shifting Paradigm Records on March 15, is now available on all platforms!

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

In this episode, we talked about:

Some of my favorite artists and mentors were the best teachers"- Sharel Cassity

his 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.

Born in Detroit, Rick Margitza's musical journey began with classical saxophone training under Donald Sinta at the University of Michigan. He also studied jazz with notable mentors like Sonny Stitt and Michael Brecker. Graduating from Loyola University in New Orleans, Margitza's musical style was deeply influenced by the city's rich cultural tapestry.

Relocating to New York in 1989 marked a significant chapter in Margitza's career. Collaborating with legends like McCoy Tyner and Miles Davis, he showcased his versatility in renowned venues worldwide. His move from New Orleans to New York broadened his musical horizons and propelled him into the heart of the jazz scene.

Margitza's artistic evolution is reflected in his ten albums as a bandleader, showcasing his prowess as both saxophonist and composer. His compositions span diverse genres, from intimate ballads to dynamic ensemble pieces, demonstrating a rich array of influences. Beyond solo work, Margitza's orchestral compositions highlight his expansive musical palette.

Since 2003, Paris has been Margitza's home, where he continues to innovate in jazz expression. Deeply connected to his Eastern European Gypsy heritage, he explores new musical territories with the band Gypsy Tenors. Recent releases like "Cheap Thrills" and "Sacred Hearts" underscore his commitment to artistic exploration. Alongside performing, Margitza shares his insights in jazz education, inspiring students worldwide.

Rick’s new book, 365 Days of Practice is the result of a project in which he posted an idea online every day during the year 2020.

The exercises cover a broad spectrum of musical ideas that range from basic bebop language to its transformation into contemporary jazz.

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

In this episode, we talked about:

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.

I am consistently thrilled to visit the Theo Wanne booth at every NAMM Show, as they invariably unveil exciting new products. During the NAMM Show 2024, I had the pleasure of speaking with Matt Ambrose, the Chief Machinist, and Thomas Harris about the latest Theo Wanne saxophone mouthpieces.

Theo is considered the world’s foremost expert on the design and manufacturing of saxophone mouthpieces. As a child Theo was a traditional apprentice designing and building professional bicycle frames by hand. He learned to shape materials, braze, and jig at a young age all by hand. 

In order to share his knowledge of vintage & hand modified products, Theo opened Saxophone Mouthpiece Heaven in 1998 in Philadelphia, PA, which became the world’s foremost knowledge database on saxophone mouthpieces.

In 2007, he started manufacturing his own line of mouthpieces and saxophones. He used the designs he had developed for his many famous clients, such as Mindi Abair, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Eric Alexander, Jan Garbarek, Nelson Rangell, Tim Price, Grover Washington Jr., etc.

In this episode, we talked about:

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.

I had the pleasure of meeting Chris Kortschot from Legere Reeds at the 2022 NAMM Show, where he showcased some truly remarkable reeds. It was delightful to reconnect with him at the 2024 NAMM Show, where Legere unveiled their latest innovation, the Frech Cut reeds.

Légère Reeds Ltd. was founded in 1998 by Dr. Guy Légère and Dr. Mark Kortschot, driven by Dr. Légère's quest for a reed that matched the performance of moist cane without its typical drawbacks.

After numerous trials, the first sixty prototypes were crafted on a homemade CNC machine and sold out within half a day at ClarinetFest in 1998, signaling the beginning of the company's success.

Today, Légère Reeds produces advanced synthetic reeds for various single and double reed instruments, manufactured in an ultra-modern facility in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and distributed worldwide.

In this episode, we talked about:

You can catch their Bio, and all of their links 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.

Level up your sax experience!

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patron, gaining early access to all all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

Susanne Alt, a versatile artist from Amsterdam, excels in saxophone, composition, DJing, and production. Born in 1978 in Würzburg, Germany, Alt showed early promise, winning the Siemens Prize for young talent in classical saxophone during her formative years at the Meistersinger-Konservatorium Nuremberg.

Alt's musical journey continued as she pursued jazz saxophone studies in the Netherlands, honing her skills at conservatories in Hilversum and Amsterdam. Her dedication led her to further education at the Universität der Künste Berlin, where she graduated with honors in 2003.

Since 1999, Alt has been captivating audiences with her saxophone performances, both as a solo artist and collaborating with DJs in Amsterdam's nightlife. Her venture into production began in 2004 with the release of "Nocturne" on her label, Venus Tunes, marking the start of a prolific career in music production.

In recent years, Alt has expanded her artistic horizons, delving into DJing and live performances characterized by her soulful, deep, and funky sound. Notable endeavors include "Venus Tunes Live," an all-female ensemble blending live instrumentation with DJing, and collaborations with renowned artists across various genres.

We talked about:

Jam sessions and playing with great musicians

How to not overplay

Her career as a DJ and House Music suggestions

Call and response in performance

Susanne’s insights into finding your own voice

Her new album and the influence of Roy Hargrove on her and on jazz music

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

Support your love to our podcast! 

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!

The EMEO, the pioneering digital practice horn for saxophonists, has expanded its offerings to include mouthpieces crafted from FDA-approved dental material and solid silver. Mouthpieces showcased at the NAMM Show 2024 are currently accessible for alto and tenor saxophones, as well as clarinets.

We talked about:

You can find their links 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.

Want to 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!

Founded by Lars Hueseler and a group of enthusiasts in late 2007, Forestone emerged determined to revolutionize the reed industry by overcoming the limitations of traditional cane and plastic reeds. 

Led by Kazunori, a former manager at Japan's leading woodwind distributor Kawai, they devised a groundbreaking material formula: a blend of bamboo and PP. This innovative combination delivered the rich tones of wood with unmatched consistency through injection molding.

Forestone was the first to utilize natural fibers combined with synthetic materials, pioneering a revolutionary approach to reed manufacturing.

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

We talked about:

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 all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

JodyJazz crafts top-tier saxophone mouthpieces with patented designs and innovative manufacturing techniques. Favored by renowned saxophonists worldwide, each piece is meticulously hand-crafted in the USA, meeting the highest standards.

Founder Jody Espina, a distinguished saxophonist, recognized the crucial role mouthpiece design plays in sound and technique. His commitment to catering to students and professionals alike led to the development of exceptional mouthpieces, embodying his philosophy: "A mouthpiece for every player."

And speaking of exceptional mouthpieces, he showcased another amazing mouthpiece, the New DV HR Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece, during the NAMM Show 2024. Also, Jody was exceptionally funny during this interview. Watch the video to see Jody playing 2 saxes at once!

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

In this episode, we talked about:

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.

Experience the thriving energy of The NAMM Show 2024 at its peak, where I seized countless interviews with various saxophone companies, and I’m thrilled to share the exclusive content.

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patron, gaining early access to all all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

Marca's New Cane & Synthetic Unic Reeds blend the sonic richness of traditional cane with the durability of synthetic fibers, featuring a pioneering composition of 95% cane and 5% synthetic material, offering a potential 6-month lifespan while preserving stability and humidity control, and treated like conventional cane reeds, available for saxophones and clarinets—truly a unique innovation that left me unable to resist remarking on its exceptional nature!

For over 60 years, Marca has perfected the art of reed-making, blending traditional expertise with modern innovation. With a commitment to quality ingrained in every step of the process, from the careful selection and aging of the finest French cane to the skilled craftsmanship and rigorous testing by renowned professionals, Marca reeds have become the preferred choice of discerning wind musicians globally. Whether for student or professional use, Marca's reeds stand as a testament to excellence, offering unparalleled performance at a competitive price, ensuring that musicians everywhere can experience the unmatched quality crafted by the most exacting hands.

We talked about:

You can catch their Bio, and all of their links 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.

Level up your sax experience!

Experience the thriving energy of The NAMM Show 2024 at its peak, where I seized countless interviews with various saxophone companies, and I'm thrilled to share the exclusive content.

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patreon, gaining early access to all all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

Saxophonist Educator and Composer, Dr. Woody Witt, is a Professor of Music at Houston Community College and is the Instructor of Saxophone at the University of Houston Moores School of Music. 

He got his Masters degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, where he taught saxophone and jazz methods.

As a jazz artist, Woody has had the opportunity to perform and record with Randy Brecker, Billy Hart, David Kikoski, and Tim Hagans among countless others.

In Fall 2023, Witt released his first book/video project of standards based jazz etudes, Stream of Consciousness, inspired by techniques he uses for himself and his students.

Woody has been a performing artist for Eastman Saxophones since 2018, and was integral in the design and testing of the Eastman Saxophones Rue St George and the new 52nd Street 852 model with Bob Mintzer and Ryan Richmond.

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

In this episode, we talked about:

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.

Sylvain Carton, originally from France, is a multi-instrumentalist (woodwinds, guitars) and composer currently residing in Los Angeles. He has recorded and performed for numerous groups, including Aly and Aj, Beats Antique, Tenacious D, and Lord Huron, among others.

Sylvain is a composer and producer, crafting music for films, commercials, documentaries, and various other mediums. His big band compositions have earned him a prestigious "Subito" grant from the American Composer's Forum.

In addition to performing and composing, Sylvain is a Vandoren Performing Artist and Artistic Advisor.

Founded in 1905, Vandoren has emerged as a leading manufacturer of reeds, mouthpieces, and accessories for clarinets and saxophones. With a strong commitment to quality and innovation, Vandoren now exports 90% of its products to over 100 countries worldwide.

We talked about:

You can catch their Bio, and all of their links 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.

Level up your sax experience!

Experience the thriving energy of The NAMM Show 2024 at its peak, where I seized countless interviews with various saxophone companies, and I'm thrilled to share the exclusive content.

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patreon, gaining early access to all all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

At 22 years old, Austin Gatus has had many accomplishments in his young career. 

Austin has performed with Dave Koz locally here in Los Angeles, as well as on the Dave Koz Jazz Cruises to Europe and Alaska. He sat in with the Average White Band a couple of times on a recent tour, and was a featured artist with Kenny G with the Orange County Symphony and San Diego Symphony. In a recent appearance, Austin joined Harry Style’s band as part of the horn section headlining Coachella

Austin, a cancer survivor, performs at charity events helping to fight kids’ cancer, having performed for the Starlight Foundation and Rady’s Children’s Hospital.

Austin does additional work in film & theatre composition. He was recognized as the winner of the 2021 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards in the “Musical Theatre Composition” category presented by Tony Award winner, Idina Menzel

Austin is endorsed by JodyJazz and Rovner Products

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

We talked about:

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.

Experience the thriving energy of The NAMM Show 2024 at its peak, where I seized countless interviews with various saxophone companies, and I’m thrilled to share the exclusive content.

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patreon, gaining early access to all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

Emerging from their lively Kent base in the UK, TJ saxophones had their beginnings in the early 1990s. Over the years, these instruments have transformed into a globally respected brand, celebrated for their excellence in Student, Step-up, and Professional horns.

Learn more about these amazing saxophones in this episode from the NAMM Show 2024, featuring my conversation with Sandro Massullo. 

We talked about:

🎷 The New Intermediate Saxophone Models, EVO 🎷 New Intermediate EVO Tenor Sax 🎷 New Intermediate EVO Alto Sax

You can catch their Bio, and all of their links on our site.

The new Intermediate EVO Models that were featured in this episode will be COMING SOON. You're getting a First Look at them here!

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.

The NAMM Show 2024 was back to its full capacity and better than ever. I was able to capture tons of interviews with many saxophone companies that I am super excited to share.

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

Pianist, saxophonist, composer, arranger, and conductor - whatever it is Gordon Goodwin touches, it’s all about his love of music.

Gordon was born in Wichita, Kansas, and Goodwin’s parents moved to Southern California when Goodwin was four.

He completed his formal music education at Cal State University-Northridge, and began working as a live performer at Disneyland.

In 1999, Gordon founded the Big Phat Band for what he thought would be a single performance at his alma mater Cal State at Northridge. Since then, the Big Phat Band has recorded 10 albums, and in the process received 25 Grammy® nominations. Goodwin won a Grammy® for ‘Best Instrumental Arrangement’ for “Incredits” for the film The Incredibles and has been honored with 3 Emmy awards for his work on the Steven Spielberg-produced shows Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain.

His work has been featured/utilized in more than 80 film & TV productions spanning the gamut of pop culture: amplifying the likes of National Treasure, Star Trek: Nemesis, Snakes on a Plane, Get Smart, Remember the Titans, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, The Majestic (starring Jim Carrey), The Lion King, The Incredibles and Ratatouille.

Gordon has won four Grammy® Awards and three Daytime Emmy Awards and has received twenty-five Grammy® nominations for his compositions and arrangements.

He has been nominated for 3 Grammy awards this year (2024):

• Best Jazz Vocal Album: Patti Austin Featuring Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - For Ella 2.

• Best Instrumental Composition: Quartet San Francisco Featuring Gordon Goodwin's 18-pc Big Phat Band - Cutey and The Dragon.

• Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals: Patti Austin ft. Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - April in Paris

Gordon is also the host of the popular long-running radio program, “Phat Tracks with Gordon Goodwin,” airing for 5 years on KJAZZ

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

We talked about:

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!

For the second time, we are featuring New York-based saxophonist and composer Sam Newsome on this episode.

Sam Newsome often works in the medium of solo saxophone, and has released several critically acclaimed solo saxophone CDs.

Since we last spoke to Sam in episode 106 in 2021, he has won the Soprano Saxophone category in the 15th Annual International Critics Poll, been nominated in 2023 for the SOPRANO SAXOPHONIST OF THE YEAR by the Jazz Journalist Awards.

In addition to his solo work, Sam also performs in his own Trio and Quartet, as well as the Chaos Theory Unit Saxophone Quartet.

His latest recordings include Soprano-Logues, a digital-only recording with Dave Liebman, and Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged, a duet with pianist Jean Michel Pilc.

You will find Sam's links and full resources on our website. 

In this episode, we listen to, and talk extensively about that recording, along with:

Become a Patron now to enjoy early releases of Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, exclusive searchable transcripts, and a wealth of bonus content. Uncover the hidden gems others won’t see – join us on Patreon today!

In this episode, we are featuring one of the Pop/Rock world’s most recognizable saxophonists, John Helliwell.

If you’ve ever heard The Logical Song, or Take the Long Way Home, Give a Little Bit, or It’s Raining Again by Supertramp, you’ve heard saxophonist and woodwinds specialist, John Helliwell.

Born in West Yorkshire, England, John’s first instrument was the clarinet.

After hearing Sidney Bechet and Cannonball Adderley, he saved up his money to buy an alto saxophone at age 15, and never looked back.

John played with many bands (The Dicemen, Alan Bown Set, and many others), and in the summer of 1973, got a call from the band, Supertramp.

They made the album “Crime of the Century” and began the long climb to international success, moving to California in the process.

“Breakfast in America” was the biggest selling album in the world in 1979!

Helliwell has been with the group for 50 years, and now also plays music based on his many inspirations - including jazz, funk, blues, soul and rock. 

He has a jazz group - “Crème Anglaise” and also plays around Europe.

The link to the full episode is on our website.

We talked about:

Be a part of the rhythm in 2024!

For just $2/month, you not only support our current endeavors but also ensure the creation of great content as we journey into 2024 . Your contribution plays a vital role in the continued growth and excellence of our podcast. You'll enjoy early episode access, searchable full transcripts, exclusive bonus interview content, and a handy Podcast Directory for easy episode browsing. Just CLICK HERE to become a part of our community today, and enhancing your podcast experience!

A native of New Orleans, the birthplace of America’s music, Victor Goines is an accomplished composer, musician, and educator.  

He serves as the president and chief executive officer of Jazz St. Louis. 

In 2016, his composition Untamed Elegance, a tribute to the Jazz Age, was performed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Other commissions include Suite for Bird for the Music Institute of Chicago, Crescent City for JALC, and Benny: Then, Now, Forever for the Louis Armstrong Foundation.

Goines has been a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra since 1993, as part of the saxophone section, in addition to being featured on the clarinet.  

He served as the Director of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University and was the Artistic Director of the Jazz Studies Program at the Juilliard School.  

He has recorded and performed with Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Dizzy Gillespie, Dianne Reeves, Willie Nelson, Shirley Horn, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, and a host of other renowned musicians and ensembles. 

Goines composed the Woodlawn Suite in recognition of celebrating the legendary jazz artists buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. 

For the audio portion of the podcast, songs featured were Raise a Glass to Dorothy and Madam CJ Walker, both featured on Victor’s latest CD, The Woodlawn Suite.

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

Our sponsor for this episode is Rovner Products, makers of fine ligatures for over 50 years.

The new Deep V Series of mouthpieces for alto and tenor saxophones, redefines tone quality by enhancing the player’s clarity and presence.

We provide the tone, you provide the character.

We talked about:

The significance of communication and listening in improvisation, comparing it to having a conversation.

Victor's journey in jazz, starting in New Orleans and eventually moving to New York to pursue his musical career.

The impact of studying with Ellis Marsalis on Victor's development as a musician.

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to Patreon website to get access now!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed New Orleans Saxophonist, Jason Mingledorff, for Episode 190.  

We spoke about:

What made Jason want to pursue improvised music

Jason Mingledorff is one of the most versatile and in-demand saxophonists playing in New Orleans’ eclectic, thriving music scene.

After earning a Bachelor of Music in classical saxophone at the University of Alabama, Jason moved to New Orleans in 1995 to study under jazz patriarch Ellis Marsalis at the University of New Orleans.

He has performed with Clint Black, Dr. John, Harry Connick, Jr., Papa Grows Funk, Galactic, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, The New Mastersounds, The O’Jays and many others.

He won a Grammy award with the band, the New Orleans Nightcrawlers in 2021.

Jason started teaching at Loyola University in 2006. 

In 2012 he wrote a series of articles on New Orleans grooves for the Saxophone Journal, and currently he runs Loyola’s saxophone department and is finishing up an innovative book aimed at big band directors called Warm-Ups for YOUR Big Band. 

He has appeared on over 100 recordings, and has now released an album of his own music entitled, Start It!

It features nine original compositions performed by a top-notch band of seasoned veterans – Brian Seeger on guitar, Joe Ashlar on piano, Ed Wise on bass, and Doug Garrison on drums.

You can find Jason’s full Bio on his site. The link is on our website, saxophonepodcast.com. 

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsor

Our sponsor for this podcast is Rovner Products, makers of fine ligatures for over 50 years. The new Deep V Series of mouthpieces for alto and tenor saxophones, redefines tone quality by enhancing the player’s clarity and presence. 

Want to support the show?

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

This is a Bonus episode! (This is the type of Bonus content that Patrons get on a regular basis. For more info on becoming a Patron, Click Here)

There was so much positive feedback from our 2 previous episodes with Pedro Eustache (episodes 187 & 188), we decided to add a 3rd episode.

In this Bonus episode with the world-class woodwind specialist, Pedro Eustache, we wound up talking about: 

How he transports all his instruments when performing with Hans Zimmer

How Pedro creates new instruments

How to play what you hear in your head 

An improvisation tip about playing conceptually and a Coltrane example 

Pedro’s 3 principles for transcribing

An exercise to play through the changes

And more! 

In case you did not listen to Episodes 187 or 188, here’s a brief Bio on Pedro… 

Pedro, widely known as Pedro Flute, is an award winning world-class flute/winds/wind synthesist/electronics soloist; composer, lecturer, educator, and researcher.

Pedro is a founding member of El Sistema's “Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra” (Venezuela). 

He has a collection of around 600 musical instruments [both acoustic,& electronic], which includes many uniquely designed/built by himself.

Pedro is the winds featured soloist with "Hans Zimmer Live", and held the same position with New-Age super star Yanni from 1995-2006.

He has also performed with Sir Paul McCartney, Sir John Williams, Herb Albert, Alex Acuna and countless others.

The link to his full Bio is on our website - https://saxophonepodcast.com

Our sponsor for this podcast is Rovner Products, makers of fine ligatures for over 50 years. The new Deep V Series of mouthpieces for alto and tenor saxophones, redefines tone quality by enhancing the player’s clarity and presence. We provide the tone, you provide the character.

This episode is Part 2 of a 2-part series with the world-class woodwind specialist, Pedro Eustache.

In this episode, we talked about:

How he came to the sax from the flute

The effect of Joe Allard & Dave Liebman on his playing

Why Pedro plays all those instruments & how he finds the time to practice all of them

Pedro’s background with jazz improvisation & 1 tip

How Pedro got the opportunity to perform with Hans Zimmer 

Challenges of playing to MIDI tracks

And much more!

Pedro, widely known as Pedro Flute, was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and has been a US citizen for decades.

Pedro’s beginnings were marked by a rich musical culture inspired by his family, and in particular his brother, who exposed him to all types of music at a very young age.

Since that time, Pedro has become  an award winning world-class flute/winds/wind synthesist/electronics soloist; composer, lecturer, educator, and researcher.

Pedro has more than seven years of Orchestral Symphonic experience (founder member of El Sistema's “Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra” (Venezuela). 

Wind instruments acoustic research has led him to a collection of around 600 musical instruments [both acoustic,& electronic], which includes many uniquely designed/built by himself.

Pedro is the winds featured soloist with "Hans Zimmer Live", "Game of Thrones-Live Concert Experience" & "The World of Hans Zimmer" since 2017. He held the same position with New-Age super star Yanni from 1995-2006.

He has also performed with Sir Paul McCartney, Sir John Williams, Herb Albert, Alex Acuna and countless others.

The link to his full biography is on our Saxophone Podcast site.

Our sponsor for this podcast is Rovner Products, makers of fine ligatures for over 50 years. The new Deep V Series of mouthpieces for alto and tenor saxophones, redefines tone quality by enhancing the player’s clarity and presence. We provide the tone, you provide the character.

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

Patrons get early access to each episode, searchable transcripts for the video episodes and Bonus content and tips.

For more info, head on over to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

Originally from Houston, Texas, Jason Whitmore has been a resident of San Diego since 1996.

As a graduate from the University of Houston with a degree in Saxophone Performance, Jason holds a deep appreciation for live performance that spans across all genres of music.

Jason has been performing professionally in a broad range of musical settings since the early 2000’s.

He regularly performs house and all forms of electronic dance music. Live and records with top DJs and producers from all over the country.

Whether it is at an intimate dance club or large music festival, Jason brings a unique element to dance music that is a different experience every time.

Jason is endorsed by Theo Wanne Mouthpieces, Cannonball Musical Instruments, Legere Reeds, CloudVocal, and Jerry Harvey Audio.

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

We spoke about:

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 Part 1 of a 2-part series with the world-class woodwind specialist, Pedro Eustache.

Pedro, widely known as Pedro Flute, was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and has been a US citizen for decades.

Pedro’s beginnings were marked by a rich musical culture inspired by his family, and in particular his brother, who exposed him to all types of music at a very young age.

Since that time, Pedro has become  an award winning world-class flute/winds/wind synthesist/electronics soloist; composer, lecturer, educator, and researcher.

Pedro has more than seven years of Orchestral Symphonic experience (founder member of El Sistema's “Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra” (Venezuela). 

Wind instruments acoustic research has led him to a collection of around 600 musical instruments [both acoustic,& electronic], which includes many uniquely designed/built by himself.

Pedro is the winds featured soloist with "Hans Zimmer Live", "Game of Thrones-Live Concert Experience" & "The World of Hans Zimmer" since 2017. He held the same position with New-Age super star Yanni from 1995-2006.

He has also performed with Sir Paul McCartney, Sir John Williams, Herb Albert, Alex Acuna and countless others.

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

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsor

Our sponsor for this podcast is Rovner Products, makers of fine ligatures for over 50 years. The new Deep V Series of mouthpieces for alto and tenor saxophones, redefines tone quality by enhancing the player’s clarity and presence. 

We talked about:

Wanna support the show?

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripyts 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!

Max Ionata has garnered critical acclaim for his fresh take on the standards of the Jazz Masters.

Born in 1972, he is considered one of the greatest Italian contemporary saxophonists on the scene today, having published over 70 records.

Max has recorded with musicians such as Robin Eubanks, Mike Stern, Joe Locke, Bob Mintzer, Joel Frahm and many others, all over the world.

For his album, Like, the other musicians were Jesper Bodilsen on double bass and Martin Maretti Andersen on drums.

This episode was conducted via email, as Max is incredibly busy.

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

We talked about:

Be our Patreon!

If you're loving the show, consider supporting us to help keep the great episodes coming!

Head on over to our Patreon site for more info.

Carly Stock is a Los Angeles-born jazz saxophonist and woodwind artist known for her big tone and even bigger personality. 

Since she first started the saxophone, Carly fell in love with masters like Kenny Garrett and Antonio Hart, and as she honed her craft, began implementing their creativity, huge sounds, and grit into her own unique style. 

Carly found mentorship at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, where saxophonist and educator Lee Secard took her under his wing. But, it wasn’t until she saw UNT’s famed One O’Clock Lab Band that she knew she wanted to pursue music full-time. 

In the most cliche turn of events imaginable, Carly went on to earn her BM in Jazz Studies and minor in Commercial Music from the University of North Texas, where she studied with Professor Brad Leali and played in the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Lab Band for almost two years.

Carly is an advocate for women’s equity in jazz music, and her presence and musicality continue to break boundaries in the field. 

Her debut single, “Finally,” a modern jazz ballad that represents solace after strife, is now streaming on all platforms.

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

Our sponsor for this podcast is Victory Musical Instruments, the maker of The Growling Sax brand and is one of the fastest-growing instrument brands in the industry. They supply great quality instruments for beginners to advanced players and have been awarded the prestigious ‘Music Inc. Magazine Editor’s Choice Award’ for three consecutive years at the NAMM Show.

If you’re looking for great quality instruments, make sure to visit their website at www.victorymusical.com.

We spoke about:

🎷 What it was like being part of the Grammy-nominated One O'Clock Lab Band

🎷 How she has created a legacy for future women, people of color and non-binary musicians to experience success at UNT

🎷 Blues improvisation tips for all levels

🎷 Where the best jam sessions are in the Los Angeles area

🎷 All of the roles she played in roducing her first single, Finally

🎷 The Scholarship just established at UNT: The Ann MacMillan and Carly Stock Endowed Scholarship for the Jazz and Gender Equity Initiative

🎷 and so much more!

Want to support the show?

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

Latin Grammy Award Winner, Dr. Ed Calle,  is one of the most versatile saxophonists in the world.

Having been born to Spanish parents in Caracas, Venezuela, he showed tremendous musical potential at an early age, developing his own distinct sound (which many have said is part of his DNA).

Dr. Calle can be heard on over 1,700 albums, and over 10,000 singles, having performed with such legends as Randy and Michael Brecker,  Gloria Estefan, Arturo Sandoval, Frank Sinatra, Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Tito Puente, Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, and numerous others.

Dr. Ed Calle is a Latin Grammy® Award winner for Best Instrumental Album (2015) with Dr. Ed Calle Presents Mamblue,and is also a five-time Grammy® nominee.

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

Our Sponsor:

Victory Musical Instruments, the maker of The Growling Sax brand, is one of the fastest-growing instrument brands in the industry.

They supply great quality instruments for beginners to advanced players and have been awarded the prestigious ‘Music Inc. Magazine Editor’s Choice Award’ for three consecutive years at the NAMM Show.

If you’re looking for great quality instruments, make sure to visit their website at www.victorymusical.com.

In this episode:

Ed shared his personal stories about Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, John Coltrane, working with The Bee Gees and Barbra Streisand, to name a few

He gave tips for tone and breathing that have helped him recover from an injury sustained from overblowing

Advice for all sax players on dealing with performing loud music

His mic recommendations, and the new mic he is raving about 

How long it takes for material we’ve worked on to show up in our playing

His impressions about the new Growling Sax Uprise model for Soprano Sax

How JodyJazz mouthpieces helped Ed be able to maintain his high performance level even with his injury

Ed’s views on practicing

And a ton more!

You're gonna LOVE this episode!

We hope you get so much value that you will want to support the show and become a Patron.

For as little as $2/month, you can keep the epic episodes coming.

Just go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, went on location to the Jody Jazz Factory in Savannah, GA to film a saxophone mouthpiece masterclass by Jody Espina, Founder of Jody Jazz Mouthpieces.

Even if you are not an equipment geek, this episode will answer all your saxophone mouthpiece questions. 

The link to this episode, along with more Resources, is on our website.

This episode was sponsored by Jody Jazz Mouthpieces, world-famous saxophone and clarinet mouthpiece makers.

Visit www.jodyjazz.com to see why artists like Kirk Whalum, Tom Scott, Andy Snitzer, George Garzone, Jeff Kashiwa, Claire Daly, Ed Calle, Derek Brown and so many others play Jody Jazz mouthpieces.

Jody went into great detail about:

A possible reason for why your low notes do not come out 

How the facing curve affects your sound

The best strength reed to play altissimo

How to choose your tip opening

How to choose your reed strength

A common misconception when buying mouthpieces  

Avoid this massive mistake when trying out mouthpieces

High baffle or no?

Advice for self-taught musicians searching for a saxophone mouthpiece

Should you play the mouthpiece model your idol uses?

And SO much more!

Want to show your love and support for the show?

Patrons get searchable videos, transcripts, and Bonus content not seen anywhere else, PLUS early access to each episode.

Head on over to our Patreon site for more info and to support the show.

As always, please Like and Share the podcast and video for our episodes with your saxophone-loving friends.

In the 3rd part of our series, A Day in the Life at the Jody Jazz Factory, Donna interviewed Danielle Walker, Manager, Accounts & Relations Artist & Manager.

Along with her other responsibilities, Danielle is the main mouthpiece play-tester at Jody Jazz.

She could be testing up to 300 mouthpieces a day!

In order to be able to do that (and not lose your mind), she follows a simple process.

Find out what that is, along with how to do the "pop" test, and more of her testing tips by listening to our latest episode.

Danielle was featured in our podcast at the NAMM Show in 2022 HERE

She performs regularly with the Historic Savannah Theater in Savannah, GA, and has performed 4000 shows over the years.

Danielle has performed on all saxophones, plus other woodwinds, percussion, and has also acted major roles on stage.

Danielle is endorsed by Legere Reeds, Rovner Products and Sax Dakota.

She has been working with Jody Espina, Founder of JodyJazz Mouthpieces since 2013.

You can catch all of Danielle's links, as well as links for Jody Jazz Mouthpieces and the video for this episode on our site at https://saxophonepodcast.com 

This episode was sponsored by Jody Jazz Mouthpieces, world-famous saxophone and clarinet mouthpiece makers.

Visit www.jodyjazz.com to see why artists like Kirk Whalum, Tom Scott, Andy Snitzer, George Garzone, Jeff Kashiwa, Claire Daly, Ed Calle, Derek Brown and so many others play Jody Jazz mouthpieces.

Want to show your love and support for the show?

Patrons get searchable videos, transcripts, and Bonus content not seen anywhere else, PLUS early access to each episode.

Head on over to our Patreon site for more info and to support the show.

In this 2nd episode on location from Savannah, GA, you get to see how each Jody Jazz mouthpiece is made.

From the bar stock, through the CNC machinery, through the buffing and detailing...every step along the way.

Whether you are an equipment geek or not, everyone will get something from this episode.

We strongly encourage you to watch the video for this one on our website: https://saxophonepodcast.com

This episode was sponsored by Jody Jazz Mouthpieces, world-famous saxophone and clarinet mouthpiece makers.

Visit www.jodyjazz.com to see why artists like Kirk Whalum, Tom Scott, Andy Snitzer, George Garzone, Jeff Kashiwa, Claire Daly, Ed Calle, Derek Brown and so many others play Jody Jazz mouthpieces.

Want in on the supporter action?

Patreon supporters are getting a special bonus! I filmed a few videos of the Jody Jazz Band rehearsing. Patrons get to be a “fly on the wall” and watch as these pros tear it up.

Go HERE to become a patron of the show to keep the episodes coming.

You get first access to episodes, plus access to searchable transcripts from many of the episodes and bonus material not seen anywhere else.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like inside a factory producing saxophone and clarinet mouthpieces, you will want to listen to and watch our new 4-part series documenting a day in the life at the Jody Jazz Factory.

Donna was invited down to Savannah, GA to see how JodyJazz mouthpieces are made, start to finish.

In this episode, you will get to know Jody Espina and his motivation for starting his Jody Jazz mouthpiece company.

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

This episode was sponsored by Jody Jazz Mouthpieces, world-famous saxophone and clarinet mouthpiece makers.

Visit www.jodyjazz.com to see why artists like Kirk Whalum, Tom Scott, Andy Snitzer, George Garzone, Jeff Kashiwa, Claire Daly, Ed Calle, Derek Brown and so many others play Jody Jazz mouthpieces.

We talked about:

What motivated Jody to move from NY to Savannah, GA 

The beginnings of the Jody Jazz Factory 

3-D Printing vs hand facing 

The facing curve is everything 

How Jody’s thinking has helped the company thrive 

Why Jody can relate to beginner saxophone players 

and a whole lot more!

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Jody Espina, President of Jody Jazz Mouthpieces, Live at the NAMM Show 2023 in Anaheim, CA.

One of the biggest releases from the saxophone industry this year has been the new DV HR alto saxophone mouthpiece from Jody Jazz Mouthpieces.

Hear what it sounds like, and get all the latest information from Jody Espina President of Jody Jazz.

The link to this episode, along with more Resources, is on our website.

We also talked about:

see which famous band is endorsing Jody Jazz

discover the Jody Jazz Band Director Kit

how Band Directors can get free t-shirts

and 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.

Get a close up look at the New & Revolutionary Eastman 52nd Street Model 852 Tenor Saxophone!

In this episode, Donna interviewed Ryan Richman, of Eastman Winds, Live at the NAMM Show 2023 in Anaheim, CA.

There are so many ergonomic improvements to the saxophone with this horn.

The sound is even throughout the range.

The intonation is spot on.

It's no wonder it won awards at The NAMM Show 2023!

The link to this episode, along with more Resources, is on our website.

Listen to the episode to discover more about this new, revolutionary Eastman 52nd Street Model 852 tenor saxophone.

Be a Patreon!

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

A number of classical saxophonists had approached me at the NAMM Show a few years ago to let me know about the Lefreque Sound Bridge.

They were saying it radically improved their overall sound and made it more efficient to produce in-tune pitches due to the way the Lefreque Sound Bridge bypassed some of the nodes on the saxophone.

You can get the details from our previous episode HERE.

What surprised me was that the Lefreque company came out with a new ligature.

This ligature is based on the principles of their Sound Bridge, and allows the reed to vibrate more freely (hence the name, Free-Reed Ligature).

The link to this episode, along with more Resources, is on our website.

At the NAMM Show, Hans and I spoke about:

Wanna support the show?

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

You’ve probably heard all the buzz about the release of the Practice Notebooks of Michael Brecker.

This episode dives deep into the publishing of those notebooks and more!

Dr. David Demsey is the Coordinator of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University in New Jersey.

He completed his Doctoral Studies at the Eastman School of Music, and has degrees from Juilliard School of Music and the University of Maine.

Demsey was a contributing editor to the Saxophone Journal.

He is also the Curator of the William Paterson Living Jazz Archives, containing archives of Clark Terry, Thad Jones, James William and Michael Brecker.

David, along with Musical Editor, Larry Dunlap, and Publisher, Chuck Sher, were all instrumental in bringing these notebooks to the public.

We talked a great deal about the process of editing & releasing the notebooks, and for those of you who want a sneak peek inside, the video for this episode is a must-watch!

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

Here’s what we covered in this episode:

How David met Michael Brecker

Brecker’s 1st ALBUM & CONCERT as a leader

How the damage to his vocal cords led him to pursue the EWI

Tone tips from Joe Allard

How the William Paterson University Archives started

The origin of publishing the notebooks

Looking back to Michael’s early years; sharing old pictures from the Archives

What got his band disqualified at a Jazz Festival

Brecker’s definition of playing outside

A tip from Brecker on how to get a good sense of time

A look into the recently published Practice Notebooks

How to approach the patterns in this book

What Michael said to David about transcribing his solos

A look inside the archives

The video for this episode is a must-watch, and if you have the ability, like our Patrons do, to search this epic episode by keyword, it would make it easier to find those key points that were important to you.

Patrons get searchable videos, transcripts, and Bonus content not seen anywhere else, PLUS early access to each episode.

Head on over to our Patreon site for more info and to support the show.

At the NAMM Show 2023, I was able to corner Maxime Carron of SYOS Mouthpieces for a few minutes to get the scoop on the latest happenings with the company.

Every year, their booth is so crowded, it’s almost impossible to get even a couple of minutes with them.

The link to this episode, along with more Resources, is on our website.

We also talked about new places you can find SYOS mouthpieces and more.

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!

You may not have heard about the new, patented design of the EMEO Digital Practice Saxophone.

At the NAMM Show 2023, it was a big hit – their booth was crowded every single day.

The link to this episode, along with more Resources, is on our website.

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

www.RovnerProducts.com

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

Be a Patreon!

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!

Richard Pavlidis is a saxophonist, composer, teacher and multi-instrumentalist from Melbourne, Australia.

Educated at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Richard has toured Australia, New Zealand and Europe and has performed at major festivals including Splendour in the Grass, The Manly Jazz Festival in Sydney, and the Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Richard’s debut solo album ‘Without Within’ was released in 2019 and supported by an Australian tour. Music from this album can be found in the Australian Jazz Real Book and the Australian Jazz Museum.

The album caught the attention of celebrated saxophonist Kenny G, who said via social media ‘I love the way you combine bebop licks with more modern-sounding phrases, and your technique is amazing. You are such a great player!’

During the Covid quarantine in 2021, Richard put together ‘Lockdown Sessions’ – a global collaborative album of jazz standards featuring performances from Germany, Israel, the USA, and all around Australia.

‘The Australian’ describes Richard as ‘a saxophone colossus in the making’.

Richard’s newest album ‘Iconography’ will be officially released on June 2, 2023.

Be sure to listen to this audio podcast version, so you can hear the track Persona in the Intro, and Still Life at the end of the episode. Both tracks are from his new album.

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

Our sponsor for this episode is Victory Musical Instruments.

Check out this award-winning brand of instruments at www.victorymusical.com

We talked about:

The 1 difficulty improvisation teachers face

Why you shouldn’t try to be like Brecker

How the greatest players think about their own playing

Benefits of busking

The challenge of performing originals with different musicians

A Visualization exercise to help with your altissimo

and 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!

When it comes to protecting your saxophone, the quality of your saxophone case is super important.

When buying a new saxophone, the case that comes with it is usually sufficient…

…In fact, cases have improved tremendously over the past few years.

But many of these cases are not suitable for traveling, especially on planes.

For the past few years, I’ve been using the BAM Hightech case for my tenor saxophones.

While I love that case, it is not a great fit for my large bell, Trevor James saxophone.

But this year at the NAMM Show 2023, I found a case that’s sleek, light and very protective.

Introducing the new Micro Zip Case from ProTec Style.

ProTec has been a major player in the music industry for decades, making cases for many instruments, as well as accessories and brass mutes.

When I heard about the new Zip Case from my friend, Zachary Sprull (of Rovner Products), I knew I had to get to their booth at NAMM.

I was so happy I did!

The case is light, durable and has a scratch resistant ABS shell.

My large bell Trevor James tenor saxophone fits perfectly in it!

The link to this episode, along with more Resources, is on our website.

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

www.RovnerProducts.com

I spoke with Andy Lutz from ProTec about all the features in this episode from the NAMM Show 2023.

You’ll hear about all the great features of this case.

Plus, I share a plane travel tip at the end.

And, there’s a cover you can buy separately that acts as an insulated case that adds extra pockets for storage.

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

It was great catching up with Jeff Kashiwa at the NAMM Show this year.

We weren’t expecting him to be there, but we saw him at the Trevor James Saxophones booth and had to get the latest from him.

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

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

www.RovnerProducts.com

In this short interview ( there was a really loud brass band playing not too far from us), we spoke about:

Be a Patreon!

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

It was 5 years ago that I found out about Trevor James Saxophones.

It totally changed my thinking about modern saxophones, and transformed my own sound.

Learn more about these special saxes in this episode Live from the NAMM Show 2023, where I talked with Sandro Massullo.

And find out why great artists such as Andy Snitzer, Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, Louis Van Taylor, Adrian Crutchfield and many others play Trevor James Saxophones.

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

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

www.RovnerProducts.com

We talked about:

🎷 Why Donna has been playing Trevor James Saxophones for the past 5 years

🎷 The different finishes for the Trevor James horns

🎷 What makes Trevor James horns unique

🎷 and more!

Wanna support the show?

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

In this episode, filmed live at the NAMM Show 2023, Melvin Quinones, Founder of Victory Musical Instruments, featured the new Revelation Series of saxophones.

There's also a special performance on the Revelation Soprano by Marquinho sax at the end.

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

Our Sponsor:

All the NAMM Show 2023 episodes are sponsored by Rovner Products.

We spoke about:

How Melvin’s company has grown since The Growling Sax brand

The inspiration behind the new line of saxophones, the Revelation Series

Added features of the Revelation Series

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

Saxophonist and Composer, Grace Kelly, returns to the Everything Saxophone Podcast; she has been on the show before, talking about the roles of a band leader and how she picks up her band members.

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

Our Sponsor:

All the NAMM Show 2023 episodes are sponsored by Rovner Products.

In this episode, we talked about:

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

Donna spoke with Matt Ambrose, Chief Machinist, from Theo Wanne Mouthpieces, at the NAMM Show 2023 in Anaheim, CA.

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

All the NAMM Show 2023 episodes are sponsored by Rovner Products.

We spoke about:

Be a Patreon!

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

Virginia Mayhew has performed throughout the US, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean and Bermuda, and has been an active participant in the NY jazz scene since 1987.

Virginia has performed at Carnegie Hall and many of NYC’s finest jazz venues.

She has also been featured as a leader at many jazz festivals, both within the United States and abroad, and has traveled twice as a representative of the United States as a Jazz Ambassador (in the tradition of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington), once to the Newly Independent States and a second time to Southeast Asia.

Virginia is also the saxophonist and musical director of the Duke Ellington Legacy, an 8-piece group founded by two of Duke Ellington’s grandchildren, Edward Ellington II and Gaye Ellington.

Some of her notable albums are the critically acclaimed Mary Lou Williams’ Next 100 Years and  Thank You Uncle Edward.

She has been featured in Downbeat, Jazziz and JazzTimes magazines.

Right now, you are listening to What’s Your  Story Morning Glory featuring Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, from the Mary Lou Williams Next 100 Years Project.

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

We talked about:

Get access to the transcript for this and many of the episodes, plus tons more Bonus Content.

Click HERE to get in on the action!

If you were even a little bit curious about Fiberreed, this episode is for you!

Donna spoke with Daniel Hofmann, Fiberreed Representative for the U.S., at the NAMM Show 2023 in Anaheim, CA.

Dannie gave a complete breakdown of ALL the Fiberreed models, including the 2 new ones added within the past 2 months.

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

All the NAMM Show 2023 episodes are sponsored by Rovner Products.

We talked about:

All the different models of Fiberreeds

How Fiberreed started

What Fiberreeds are made of

The new models, Carbon GSax and RPL

The strengths of Fiberreed

How to know when the Fiberreed needs to be replaced

Support the show and get early access to all NAMM Show 2023 episodes!

Plus Bonus episodes and searchable transcripts.

Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone for details

In this 2nd episode from the NAMM Show 2023, Donna spoke with Ron Van Ostenbridge from Bari Woodwinds.

Bari was the 1st synthetic reed on the market, created by Wolfe Tannenbaum back in the 1950's.

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

All the NAMM Show 2023 episodes are sponsored by Rovner Products.

We talked about:

Support the show and get early access to all NAMM Show 2023 episodes!

Plus Bonus episodes and searchable transcripts.

Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone for details

In the first of many episodes from the NAMM Show 2023, Donna interviewed Saxophonist, Angela Gomez.

Originally from Columbia, Angela is now located in Miami, FL and is taking the U.S. music scene by storm.

Up to 5 months ago, she was mostly playing alto sax, but under the advise from her good friend, Melvin Quinones (of Victory Musical Instruments), she started to play the Bari Sax.

You will hear her playing on the Bari Sax at the end of this episode.

Check out this episode of the podcast to get to know Angela Gomez!

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

All the NAMM Show 2023 episodes are sponsored by Rovner Products.

Support the show and get early access to all NAMM Show 2023 episodes!

Plus Bonus episodes and searchable transcripts.

Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone for details

Karl Hunter is a Southern California-based multi-instrumentalist, Studio Musician, Clinician and Music Educator. He is best known for being the featured saxophone soloist with the multi-Platinum-selling, grammy nominated, contemporary swing band, “Big Bad Voodoo Daddy”, of which he has been a member for 27 years.

As of January 2020, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has played over 3000 shows.

Karl has played for four U.S. presidents and has performed on stage with Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Garth Brooks, Little Richard, B.B King, Arturo Sandoval, and many others.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s music has been featured numerous times on television and movie soundtracks including: “Swinger’s”, “Scooby Doo”, “Phineas and Ferb”, “Dancing With The Stars”, “Friends”, “Malcolm in the Middle”, “Third Rock from the Sun” (theme song), “Party of Five”, “Ally Mcbeal”, and “Melrose Place”.

Some of Karl’s other studio work outside of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy includes recordings with Rap Mogul, Dr. Dre, funk legends Blood Stone and the Soul Legend, Solomon Burke.

Karl is a featured clinician and endorses  Yamaha Saxophones and  Clarinets & Theo Wanne mouthpieces.

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

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Legere Reeds.

We talked about:

🎷 How Big Bad Voodoo Daddy started

🎷 What it’s like to play for television and game shows

🎷 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s 3000th show

 🎷 How Karl stays inspired playing the same songs over and over for 1000’s of shows

🎷 If he could re-do his solos and make them the way he wanted them to be

🎷 How to handle recording solos when you’re not “in the moment” anymore

Get access to the transcript for this and many of the episodes, plus tons more Bonus Content.

Click HERE to get in on the action!

Los Angeles born tenor saxophonist, Mando Dorame, is best known as the co-founder of Royal Crown Revue.

His big tenor sound evokes early Americana, with his roots in Rhythm & Blues and Jazz.

Some of Mando’s biggest influences are from the tenor titans of the 20th century including Sam Butera, Illinois Jacquet, Big Jay McNeely, Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon.

Mando has also studied with Capitol recording legend Plas Johnson of “Pink Panther” fame.

Mando Dorame has had an illustrious career in the past 20 years as the premiere roots tenor saxophonist and co-founder of the famed Royal Crown Revue and creator of the Vegas headlining band, The Jennifer Keith Quintet.

He has also collaborated and toured with the great Bette Midler, Jon Batiste, recorded with Mike Ness and was featured on Gene Simmons TV show.

His music has been featured in many films and TV shows including:

Aside from his own writing and arranging, Mando plays regularly with The Jennifer Keith Quintet and Royal Crown Revue.  Always in high demand, he has lately been featured in many great roots bands such as JD McPherson, Robert Gordon, Nick Waterhouse, Reverend Horton Heat, Si Cranstoun, and Grammy nominated The Blasters!

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

This episode was proudly sponsored by Legere Reeds, www.legere.com

We talked about:

The effect of Big Jay McNeely on the Great Honkers

How he started Royal Crown Revue

The #1 reason Mando got into Jazz

How his song, Hey Pachuco, was selected to be featured in the Jim Carrey film, The Mask

His idea of the Ultimate tenor sound

After the show, Mando shared some Blues advice for our Patreon supporters.

Want access to this plus tons more Bonus Content?

Click HERE to get in on the action!

American jazz tenor saxophonist, bandleader and educator, Javon Jackson, came into international prominence as a member of the legendary Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers from 1986 until Blakey’s death in 1990.

Jackson went on to release 22 recordings as a bandleader and tour and record on over 150 CDs with jazz greats including Elvin Jones, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Haden, Betty Carter, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Stanley Turrentine and Ben E. King.

Part of a new generation of musicians that blends tradition with neo-jazz, Jackson’s own bands features straight ahead jazz, hard bop, soul and funk.

His recording, The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni, has been nominated for a 54th NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Jazz Album –Instrumental.

Jackson is currently Chair of the University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz Studies since 2013.

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

This episode was proudly sponsored by Legere Reeds, www.legere.com.

We talked about:

🎷How visualization helped Javon perform with his hero, Art Blakey

🎷Javon’s recipe for success ( in any field)

🎷Advice for making faster progress

🎷Best thing to help confidence

🎷Advice for amateur jazz musicians

🎷 and much more!

Javon shared some mind-blowing Bonus content about achieving Success for our Patreon supporters.

Want access to this plus tons more Bonus Content?

Click HERE to get in on the action!

As a native of Louisville, Kentucky, Marcus grew up with aspirations of becoming a pro football player, but his goals changed after having committed over 13 years of his young life to the U.S. Navy honorably.

During this time, his love for jazz grew by listening and learning from the late Grover Washington, Jr., David Sanborn and Kirk Whalum, to name a few.

Marcus says on one account,” I became truly inspired by a phone call from the late saxophonist, George Howard, a conversation I’ll never forget.”

Surprisingly, Marcus would find himself with Rebbie Jackson (sister of Jacksons; Janet Jackson) during her show in Las Vegas. He knew his life was being routed towards a musical journey.

During Marcus’s musical journey, he has received encouragement from famed percussionist, Sheila E. and fellow saxophonists: Nelson Rangell, Najee, his sax mentors: Joe Yorio (Toured with Peabo Bryson), Mel Holder (Grammy & Stellar Award Nominee).

In 2019, Marcus won the AMG’s Instrumentalist of the Year Award.

Also, he has released music singles that have climbed the charts.

Notably, his single, “Brand New Day”, was produced by International Recording Artist, Jonathan Fritzen. It debuted #1 for the most spins (1st week in rotation) for Billboard Smooth Jazz radio stations.

Also, “Together We Stand” charted on SmoothJazz.com Top 50 list and is currently spinning on Sirius XM Radio’s Watercolors and the Music Choice Network.

Marcus is set to release his new self-titled CD “Brand New Day”, this coming Q1, 2023. Some notable Artists, Musicians and Producers include: Mel Holder (multi-talented Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Award-nominated artist, composer, arranger, saxophonist, author and pastor), Roger Ryan (Multi-Grammy, GMA Dove nominated, Juno Award-winning Producer, musician, composer & songwriter), William Green (musician, composer, songwriter and producer), Ben Parris (Grammy “Emerging Artist” Award-winner, multi-instrumentalist & producer), Madoca Kawahara (national recording artist, keyboardist & composer), Jonathan Fritzen (contemporary jazz pianist, multi-instrumentalist & producer), Bob Baldwin (contemporary jazz pianist, music composer, author, inventor, radio host and creator of the NewUrbanJazz.com Lounge, and music producer) and Alissia Benveniste (A self-proclaimed funk revivalist, Bassist, multi-instrumentalist & producer)

A little about “Brand New Day”….this compilation of music is about a brief summary of Marcus’s life. It begins with his journey as a young adult to his transformation into a renewed, inspired man, father and musician, which can be noticed and heard by the titles of his songs.

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

We talked about:

🎷How tips from Nelson Rangell, Najee and Mike Phillips changed his playing

🎷His pro football path, his service in the US Navy, and how he transitioned into a music career

🎷How he met and stayed with The Jackson Family 

🎷Taking your saxophone playing to that next level

🎷 and much more!

Lots of Bonus Content for our Patreon supporters!

Get access to this and more from many of our other guests, plus searchable transcripts from many of the episodes and more by CLICKING HERE.

This is Part 2 of a 2-part series with Saxophonist, Certified Alexander Teacher, and Wellness Coach, Bill Plake.

You can catch up on Part 1 HERE.

Bill Plake works as an Alexander Technique teacher, performance coach, and professional musician.

He is an AmSAT certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, maintaining a busy private practice working with musicians of many styles and genres, including members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the LA Opera Orchestra and some of the finest sessions musicians in Los Angeles.

Bill is also an NCCA Certified Health Coach and is certified as a functional fineness specialist, and as a corrective exercise specialist. Helping musicians of all ability levels function better, feel better and perform better is his passion.

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

This podcast is sponsored by Rovner Products www.rovnerproducts.com

We spoke about:

🎷 What is the Alexander Technique

🎷 The biggest misinformation out there about articulation 

🎷 The biggest obstacle all musicians face

🎷 How you should pay attention to what you’re doing when you play

🎷 What embouchure dystonia is and what to do about it

🎷 and much more!

We are so grateful to our Patrons, who support the show and help keep the podcast going.

In this Part 2 episode with Bill, Patrons get access to this Bonus Material

CLICK HERE for access to this, plus tons of Bonus Content not seen anywhere else.

As a musician, Bill has performed on saxophone throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

He has worked with several creative music and modern jazz luminaries such as Charlie Haden, Ravi Coltrane, James Newton, Nels Cline, Vinny Golia, John Carter, Michael Vlatkovich and others, and has been favorably reviewed in such publications as Downbeat, Jazz Times, the Los Angeles Times, Cadence and the New York Times.

He is the composer of 10 ebooks on jazz improvisation pedagogy, and teaches the Alexander Technique at the AMDA Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles.

Bill lives in South Pasadena, California with his wife and daughter.

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

This podcast is sponsored by Rovner Products

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 The Bartok-Monk connection

🎷 The biggest sound he've ever heard on flute

🎷 Two types of improvisation

🎷 How Bill approaches learning a new standard

🎷 Why Chris Potter amazes him

🎷 Playing for enjoyment vs being technical

🎷 and much more!

Patrons that support the podcast are getting bonus material on behind-the-scenes conversations, searchable transcript of this video, tons of bonus videos from our previous guests, and so much more!

CLICK HERE for access to this, plus tons of Bonus Content not seen anywhere else.

Ryan Richman is the Vice President of Eastman Music Company.

He has worked in the music business for 27 years in various roles including performing, teaching, sales, and repair.

His career began in the repair shop of his local music store cleaning rental returns and helping with sales and rental events.

During his time in music retail, Ryan served as a Music Education Representative for many years, assisting instrumental music teachers throughout the state of Utah.

Along with his work in music retail, Ryan has performed in many musical venues as a woodwind doubler, taught private woodwind lessons, and taught clinics across the country.

Ryan joined Eastman in 2011 as a Sales Manager and has had the privilege to serve as the Sales Manager for 30 states in the U.S. He also filled the roles of Wind Product Manager and Director of Wind Product Development before being appointed Vice President of the company in 2016.

As Vice President, Ryan oversees many aspects of business including sales management and product development for Eastman and the other brands in the Eastman family.

Ryan resides in Utah with his wife Rochelle, who is the Director of Bands at Kaysville Jr High, and their three daughters Emma (Flute), Hannah (Clarinet), and Stella (Bassoon).

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

Rovner Products: www.rovnerproducts.com

We talked about:

🎷 How the Eastman Music company evolved

🎷 The difference between lacquered vs unlacquered

🎷 One important part of the saxophone that’s often overlooked

🎷 Differences between Rue St George & 52nd St

🎷 The influence of Bob Mintzer in the making of the new 52nd Street model

🎷 Three attributes that are very important for any brass-bodied instrument

🎷 and much more!

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

Michael Wilbur is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, song writer, producer and recording engineer.

His main instruments are tenor and bass saxophones.

He is in the bands, Moon Hooch and Thundersmack, and has his own solo projects under his name.

Michael is an avid plant-based athlete, music educator, environmentalist and animal rights activist.

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

This episode was sponsored by:

OnKey App – links to OnKey on the App Store and Google Play: https://linkmix.co/11048548

Rovner Products

We talked about:

🎷A quote that’s driven Michael’s career to new levels of success

🎷How he’s dealt with chronic asthma

🎷Why fitness is so important

🎷How Moon Hooch got started and how they came up with the name

🎷Michael’s ideal practice routine

🎷Collaborating with Leo P 

🎷 and much more!

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

Our special guest for this episode is Paul Winter, best known for his environmental work, and his concerts with the Paul Winter Consort.

From the early days of Paul Winter’s college jazz sextet, which toured 23 countries of Latin America for the State Department and performed the first-ever jazz concert at the White House for the Kennedys in 1962, to his later ensemble, the Paul Winter Consort, his concert tours and recording expeditions have taken him to 52 countries and to wilderness areas on six continents, where he has traveled on rafts, dog sleds, mules, kayaks, tug-boats and Land Rovers. He has recorded over 50 albums, of which seven have been honored with Grammy Awards.

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

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 Jimmy Heath’s influence on Paul

🎷 Whale sounds and Charlie Parker; what they have in common

🎷 What it was like attending Duke Ellington’s funeral

🎷How he got involved with 'Winter Solstice'

🎷How adventures in SoundPlay started

🎷And MUCH more!

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

Matthew Alec is a jazz and popular music saxophonist, founder and Executive Producer at Cleveland Time Records, and bandleader for the high-energy jazz fusion group Matthew Alec and The Soul Electric.

His debut album Cleveland Time featuring former Saturday Night Live Musical Director Tom “Bones” Malone was released in February of 2021.

The album charted for several weeks on the NACC Jazz Radio Chart, peaking at #13, and received international press from Jazziz Magazine, All About Jazz, JazzMonthly.com, SoulTracks.com, Broadway World, WBSS Media, Glide Magazine, and many others.

His hard bop blues composition “Blues for McCoy” from the album was a Semi-Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition and was one of All About Jazz’s most “Popular Jazz Songs” for 2021.

His 2nd album Live at the Bop Stop! (which also features Malone) is due out in December of 2022.

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

Matthew is proudly sponsored by DeJacques saxophone straps and Remic Microphones.

We talked about:

🎷 Matthew’s practice routine

🎷 How Michael Brecker became his new hero

🎷 How he approaches working on altissimo & his altissimo fingerings for Urgent

🎷His approach when playing tribute or cover bands

🎷Advice from Joe Lovano

🎷And MUCH more!

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

Donna Schwartz spoke with Classical & Jazz Saxophonist, Educator, Greg Banaszak.

Greg Banaszak is one of the most sought after orchestral saxophone soloists of his generation.

As one of the few saxophonists active in both the classical and jazz mediums, he includes a combination of concerto performances, solo and chamber music recitals, and jazz festival appearances.

He has presented recitals in such prestigious concert halls as Vienna’s Bösendorfer Concert Hall, the Royal Palace in Warsaw, Poland, and New York’s Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Hall.

He has presented master classes at Austria’s Musik Hochschule, the Cairo Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, and the Tanglewood Institute and has served as Orchestral saxophonist for the leading opera orchestras of Warsaw, Berlin, Paris, and Cleveland.

Banaszak was the first saxophone concerto soloist to appear with orchestras in India, the Middle East and Korea, including performances with the Symphony Orchestra India, the Cairo Symphony and the Taegu City Symphony.

Banaszak’s critically acclaimed CDs, “The Music of Alan Hovhaness” “Duo Concertos for Alto Saxophone, Flute, and Orchestra”, “Romances for Saxophone and Orchestra” and “Saxophone Concertos”, are available on the Naxos and Centaur Records label.

Banaszak recently recorded “I’ll Remember April…Bird with Strings Revisited”, a CD of the renowned recording of Charlie Parker with Orchestra.

He serves on the faculties of the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Case Western Reserve University.

He is a Vandoren Performing Artist, Selmer Saxophone clinician, a Rovner Products and DeJacques consultant.

He has performed as a saxophonist for the Cleveland Orchestra.

He studied with such prominent masters as Vincent Abato and jazz legend Jackie McLean.

Banaszak’s former students currently hold positions as both highly acclaimed performers and educators throughout the United States and abroad.

In 2021, Banaszak was recently honored with the “Distinguished Alumni of the Year” award from the Hartt School of Music /University of Hartford.

Banaszak takes great pride in educating the future generation of world-class saxophonists and young artists.

Hailed as a Saxophonist “Tour de Force” by the New York Times, Mr. Banaszak continues to perform worldwide.

The background music for the podcast was Greg performing Laura from the  “Bird with Strings” performance with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and Maestro Carl Topilow, Conductor, Live at Severance Hall, on February 9, 2007.

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

We talked about: 🎷 The Charlie Parker Know the Legends Project & some incredible stories most people do not know 🎷 How Greg did the research for this monumental project    🎷 How Art Tatum influenced Charlie Parker’s approach to playing 🎷 Great stories about Former President Bill Clinton, Jackie MacLean and others  🎷 Greg’s own practicing routine, and how he keeps his jazz and classical chops in shape 🎷 And MUCH more!

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

Marco Pignataro is a multi-talented saxophone player, composer, and educator originally from Bologna, Italy.

He is currently the Managing Director of Berklee Global Jazz Institute.

He has shared stages with artists such as Eddie Gomez, Joanne Brackeen, Danilo Pérez, George Garzone, and Terri Lyne Carrington, among many others.

Pignataro performs and tours internationally with several musical groups, including the Marco Pignataro Almas Antiguas Quartet and the Eddie Gomez Quintet.

He released 2 CD’s recently -Awakenings, which is under consideration for a vocal Grammy, and Chant for Our Planet, a Tallberg Foundation supported project to address climate change.

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

We talked about:

🎷 His newest project, Chant for Our Planet

🎷 His approach to composing; before the Awakenings project and afterwards   

🎷 Comprovisation; how that approach was used for his piece, On Irene’s Path

🎷 Which process would be best for students to experience first when learning music 

🎷 How 1 person’s observation from his website inspired a new album and play

🎷 And MUCH more!

You can catch a behind-the-scenes Bonus conversation from this episode, plus the searchable transcript of this video, tons of Bonus videos from our previous guests, and so much more when you become a Patron!

For as little as 2 a month, you can help keep this great show going!

Just go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to subscribe.

Odisei Music is a Spanish company based in Barcelona founded by Ramon Mañas (CEO).

Their story began 5 years ago when Ramon was studying music in Berlin.

At that time, he was sharing a small flat with 2 other musicians and began learning how to play the saxophone.

From that point, they have been obsessed with creating the smallest and lightest electronic saxophone in the world, to help saxophonists practice and play silently when and wherever they want without disturbing others.

That event generated what is today the main mission of Odisei Music.

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

We talked about:

🎷 How his practicing struggles influenced the creation of the Travel Sax

🎷 The goal behind the Travel Sax

🎷 The many uses for the Travel Sax

🎷 We checked out the case and mouthpiece for the Travel Sax 

🎷 How to use Travel Sax as a performing tool

🎷 And MUCH more!

You can catch Donna’s demo of the Travel Sax, plus a searchable transcript of this video, tons of Bonus video from our previous guests, and so much more when you become a Patron!

For as little as 2 a month, you can help keep this great show going!

Just go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to subscribe.

In this episode from the NAMM Show in June, Donna Schwartz spoke with musician and the founder of Victory Musical Instruments, parent company of The Growling Sax, Melvin Quinones.

Melvin Quinones is a Hispanic American entrepreneur, engineer, musician and the founder of Victory Musical Instruments, parent company of The Growling Sax.

With over 30+ years of professional music experience combined with 20 years of engineering background, he integrated many of the technologies and processes that have made the pioneers of the music industry successful with new technology, improved materials and ergonomics.

Melvin has over 30 years of experience as a saxophonist, keyboardist and record producer. Some of his relevant work includes 248th Army Band, Thalia, Tiziano Ferro, Frankie J, MDO, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Objetivo Fama & Miss Universe 2005 among many others.

He also ran the My Sax Talk social network for 10 years.

He is also the founder of Dance like David LLC, a faith-focused foundation created to provide musician instruments and educational resources to communities with low financial resources.

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

We talked about:

🎷 History of Victory Musical Instruments & Melvin’s background

🎷 How the name Growling Sax was created

🎷 How the Growling Saxes are different than other brands 

🎷 How his background in engineering & moderating Sax Talk influenced the Growling Sax

🎷 Differences between Sterling Silver necks and other finishes 

🎷 And MUCH more!

If you want the searchable transcript for this episode, plus TONS of other bonus content from many of our 149 episodes, head on over to our PATREON SITE.

Not only will you be getting awesome content, but you will be helping support the show!

I spoke with Robert Schuenemann, Representative, Endorsee and Artist for Chateau Musical Instruments.

These saxophones were the talk of the show!

You’ll want to check out the video for this episode, so you can see the beautiful hand-painted tenor and alto saxes.

Chateau Musical Instruments was founded in 1979, making quality saxophones, and since 2001 also making woodwind and brass instruments.

We dove deep into many of the saxophone models in this episode.

Chateau Saxophones come in the student model Series 22, all the way up to Series 90 and 96 top of the line models.

We also talked about the history of the Chateau company, and Robert’s thoughts on saxophone tone and intonation.

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, Bonus videos and searchable transcripts, and get access to the episodes earlier than everyone else? 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 week’s episode from the NAMM Show features a personal friend of mine, Jim Scimonetti.

Those of us that live near Los Angeles know how much of a monster player he is on all the woodwinds.

He owned a music store and repair shop in Lancaster, CA for many years, and has been performing professionally for almost 50 years.

For the past few years, he has been working with Beechler & ARB Mouthpieces, in Northridge, CA.

Founded by Elmer Beechler in 1942, Beechler Mouthpieces design, manufacture, and distribute outstanding saxophone and clarinet mouthpieces and woodwind accessories.

Remlé Musical Products, Inc. has been under the direction of Elmer Beechler’s daughter, Judy Beechler Roan, since 1993.

All of their mouthpieces are made according to precise design specifications.

All surfaces are hand finished by skilled artisans and play tested by professional musicians.

Beechler Mouthpieces can also make custom mouthpieces to suit individual preferences.

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

In this episode, we talked about:

the latest Beechler mouthpieces for clarinet and saxophones

What makes Beechler different than most other companies

Funny story about where REMLE came from

a little Beechler history

a fun demo of slap tonguing by Jim

and more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, Bonus videos and searchable transcripts, and get access to the episodes earlier than everyone else? 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 was a super-fun interview with 2 people at the top of their game in music.

Mindi Abair has performed with Aerosmith, the Boneshakers and was the saxophonist on American Idol a few years ago.

You can read more of her Bio on her site below.

Theo Wanne has been studying and designing mouthpieces for many years, and some of the world’s greatest saxophonists play his mouthpieces.

When I was walking the floors of the NAMM Show, I caught part of Mindi Abair’s performance of her new single, Forever, at the Theo Wanne mouthpiece booth.

Theo designed not 1, but 2 mouthpieces for her.

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

In today’s episode, you get to hear some stories about that process, along with:

🎷Making great music vs okay music

🎷 Mindi’s tip for how to approach playing a powerful mouthpiece - this is GOLD!

🎷The real goal of choosing a mouthpiece - advice from Theo Wanne

🎷The real goal of choosing a mouthpiece - advice from Theo Wanne

🎷The “Mindi Effect”

🎷How to add more resistance to your mouthpiece in a healthy way - tip from Theo

🎷and more

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, Bonus videos and searchable transcripts, and get access to the episodes earlier than everyone else? 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.

Mauro Di Gioia is an entrepreneur, free-lance saxophonist/woodwind player, and the founder and President of ReedGeek, Inc. (which manufactures ReedGeek Products) based in Carson City, Nevada.

For many years Mauro has dedicated his time to the betterment of reeds and reed performance for all woodwind players: publishing several articles on reed acoustics and adjustment in leading industry magazines and guest lecturing for master classes at various colleges in the United States and abroad.

Mauro has also worked with and designed reed cuts for some of the greatest players in the world, including David Sanborn.

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

We talked about:

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, Bonus videos and searchable transcripts, and get access to the episodes earlier than everyone else? 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.

Rovner Products started as primarily a ligature company, but over the years has expanded into mouthpieces and elegant saxophone stands.

With the Rovner Deep-V Mouthpiece Collection, there are 2 offerings: the Avatar and the Aviva.

Through extensive mouthpiece innovation, these pieces look and play like nothing you’ve seen before, with the main focus being on “presence”.

As their motto says, you supply the character, we supply the core!

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

At the NAMM Show 2022, we talked about:

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.

Here’s a little background on SYOS Mouthpieces…

SYOS, which stands for Shape Your Own Sound, mouthpieces was founded by Pauline Eveno, a musician with a PhD in Acoustics.

In 2015, she printed the first mouthpieces and some famous French saxophone players were using them.

SYOS constantly incorporates feedback from musicians to improve their mouthpieces.

And they have an innovative process, with extensive questions to help you design your own mouthpiece.

You can hear more how she started the company in Episode 59 of our show – the link will be in the show notes.

SYOS Ambassadors include Godwin Louie, Tivon Pennicott, Michael Wilbur, Scott Page, Sarah Dunbar, Mariela Versola, Scott Paddock and many others.

For more information on these mouthpieces, and to design your own mouthpiece, you can visit their FAQ page on their website,  https://www.syos.co/.

Maxime Carron, whom I spoke with at NAMM, started working with Pauline in 2016. He is the Co-Founder & Technical Director of SYOS.

He has an extensive background in research in Cognitive Sciences and Sound Design.

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

We spoke about:

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 week, a podcast favorite stopped by the Legere Booth at the NAMM Show 2022.

Donna spoke with saxophonist, Matt Lee, who now has a new single, Panama City Groove, which is streaming now.

His prior single, One More Kiss, was #1 for 7 consecutive weeks in the Groove Jazz charts.

Matt also has a new program, Sax Coach, to help other saxophonists release their own single.

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

We talked about:

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.

Danielle Walker has been playing saxophones since age 11.

She performed in all ensembles offered at her school, and at age 16, was the youngest and only female member of the group, The Jekyll Island Big Band.

In 1998, as a sophomore at Brevard College, she was featured on the baritone sax with that college’s Summer Jazz Workshop Faculty Band. The band was featured on National Public Radio, hosted by Branford Marsalis.

In September 2004, she joined the cast of the Historic Savannah Theater in Savannah, GA, and has performed 4000 shows over the years.

Danielle has performed on all saxophones, plus other woodwinds, percussion, and has also acted in major roles on stage.

Danielle is endorsed by Legere Reeds, Rovner Products and Sax Dakota.

She has been working with Jody Espina, Founder of JodyJazz Mouthpieces since 2013.

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

We talked about:

🎷How Danielle met Jody Espina

🎷Features of the JodyJazz SuperJet mouthpiece

🎷Her approach to playing Legere Reeds & when to change reeds

🎷Life as a musician in the pit 

🎷How she avoids burnout 

🎷Her approach on playing popular recorded solos

🎷The mouthpiece switch that no one expected during COVID

🎷And more!

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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!

In our 6th interview from the NAMM Show 2022, Donna interviewed Joel Pekin and Bob Sheppard, from Retro Revival.

The Retro Revival company is known for their vintage replica mouthpieces, and are committed to making mouthpiece dreams come true by making exact Replicas of the classic mouthpieces from the Golden years, from the highest quality materials, and the finest hand craftsmanship.

Joel Peskin, CEO of Retro Revival and multi-instrumentalist, is also known as iReedMan, and has performed with such diverse artists as Barbra Streisand, the Beach Boys, Albert Collins, Johnny Otis, Frank Zappa, and others.

He’s been on hundreds of studio sessions, and in the early 1980’s played the alto sax solo on the theme song for Entertainment Tonight.

Bob Sheppard, Artistic Director of Retro Revival and also a multi-woodwind instrumentalist, has performed with Herbie Hancock, Billy Childs, Peter Erskine, Steely Dan, Freddie Hubbard, Chick Corea and others.

Bob has also been on hundreds of studio sessions as well, and is on the faculty of USC Thornton School of Music.

They just came out with their new Tru Six Saxophone.

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

We talked about:

🎷What’s special about the new Retro Revival TRU Six Saxophone

🎷 How they improved typical Mark VI intonation problems

🎷 Bob Sheppard demonstrating dynamics

🎷 Ken Beason’s “recipe for Brass”

🎷 Impromptu Jam with Bob & Joel on Tenor Madness

🎷 How Retro Revival started

🎷 Comparison of old mouthpieces and new mouthpieces & how the Masters dealt with it

🎷 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.

The saxophone and jazz communities suffered a HUGE loss on July 21, 2022.

Tim Price, a phenomenal woodwind artist and educator, who has been featured many times on this Podcast in recent years, passed away on that date.

He had been suffering from a brain tumor for many months.

I had been reading Tim’s articles in the Saxophone Journal for many years, and had gotten to know him over the last 7 years while we met up at the NAMM Show every year in Anaheim, CA.

We jammed together, and often talked about teaching and the state of affairs in jazz music at that time.

Tim’s passing is a HUGE loss for the saxophone and jazz communities.

He would often share his knowledge and teachings on the web over the past few decades.

In 2016, for my (now defunct) BAM Radio Show, I had the honor and pleasure of chatting with Tim Price, world-renowned saxophonist.

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

We talked about:

Jody Espina is the founder, president, owner, and designer of JodyJazz Saxophone & Clarinet Mouthpieces.

In 2018, JodyJazz acquired Chedeville and Espina and redesigned the entire line of Clarinet and Saxophone Mouthpieces while using all of the best elements of Chedeville’s glorious past mouthpieces.

In 2020, JodyJazz Acquired the famous Rousseau Music Products.

Jody Espina is a highly regarded jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and flutist with a unique and personal sound and is also a respected jazz educator.

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

We talked about:

🎷 Introducing the new Hand-Hammered Rose Gold Saxophone Mouthpiece

🎷 New Hand-Hammered Power Ring

🎷 New additions to the Rousseau line for Classical saxophonists

🎷 New HR Custom Dark Baritone Saxophone mouthpiece 

🎷 New Saxophonists; which is the best all-around mouthpiece 

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.

In this episode, I interviewed Four time Grammy® Award-nominee, world-renowned jazz organist and Saxophonist, Joey DeFrancesco.

He has more than 30 recordings as a leader under his belt, and has recorded and/or toured with his own groups as well as numerous renowned artists that include Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Diana Krall, Nancy Wilson, David Sanborn and many more.

DeFrancesco has received countless Jazz Journalist Association awards and other accolades worldwide, including being inducted into the inaugural Hammond Organ Hall of Fame in 2014, the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame in 2016 as well as topping the Critics Polls in DownBeat Magazine eleven times over the past fifteen years and the Readers Polls every year since 2005.

DeFrancesco also hosts a weekly program on SiriusXM Radio’s Real Jazz channel titled “Organized.”

More Music, due out September 24, via Mack Avenue Records, is “more” in every conceivable way. It offers up ten new DeFrancesco originals, brought to life by a scintillating new trio. And the master organist, who has long supplemented his keyboard virtuoso with his skilled trumpet playing, here brings out his full arsenal: organ, keyboard, piano, trumpet, and, for the first time on record, tenor saxophone.

DeFrancesco is endorsed by Jody Jazz.

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

All of the Live at NAMM Show 2022 episodes are sponsored by Legere Reeds

We talked about:

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.

Jeff Antoniuk has such an interesting background, having been born in Canada, and growing up in Nigeria.

He’s performed with Tim Hagans, Sherrie Maricle, Ingrid Jensen, Walt Weiskopf and Marcus Miller. He has fronted his own bands as a performer and composer, winning accolades from JazzTimes Magazine.

Jeff is a well-respected educator, and currently is the Founder and Director of JazzWire, an online service that offers lessons and community for adult jazz students.

He started the Maryland Summer Jazz Camp 19 years ago, now called the JazzWire Jazz Summer Summit and now available not only in-person, but online as well at https://jazzwiresummit.com/

The last time I spoke Jeff was also at the NAMM Show 2020, right before COVID shut everything down.

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

This is the 3rd episode in our Live at NAMM 2022 Show series. NAMM stands for National Association of Music Merchants, and they usually have 2 large shows/conventions every year. This year was just once in Anaheim CA in June.

All of the NAMM Show 2022 episodes are sponsored by Legere Reeds, and today’s guest recently made the switch to Legere Reeds.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷How Jeff made the switch to Legere Reeds

🎷The tip he shares to soften a Legere Reed

🎷How ReedGeek’s tool can help alter a Legere Reed

🎷Jeff’s everyday ritual 😂 

🎷What Jeff did during COVID that has benefitted his community now

🎷JazzWire Jazz  Summer Summit 

🎷The Tool, JackTrip, and how Jeff is integrating it into JazzWire

🎷How technology will expand in 2, 5 years and how to embrace it

🎷What’s coming up in 2022 for Jeff

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.

In this episode, I interviewed classical saxophonist, Chika Inoue.

Chika has been a guest on our show before – links to those episodes are in the show notes below.

Chika has performed with Los Angeles Philharmonic, Brooklyn Metro Chamber Orchestra, and many other orchestras in the United States, as well as internationally at Festivals in Germany, Spain, Japan, Italy and China.

A native of Osaka, Japan, Chika spent most of her youth in Frankfurt, Germany and San Diego, California.

Chika actively looks beyond the standard saxophone repertoire for works that allow the saxophone to shine, continuously transcribing and performing works of violin, clarinet, oboe, flute, voice and piano, expanding the limits of the saxophone technique and artistry.

She is a Conn-Selmer, Vandoren, KeyLeaves and LefreQue endorsing artist.

The last time I spoke with Chika was at the NAMM Show 2020, right before COVID shut everything down.

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

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 Her brand new California State University Summer Arts program: "The Art of Classical Saxophone"

🎷 Equipment that she uses, and a recent change

🎷 She modeled the Breathtaking Neck Strap

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.

In early June, I attended the NAMM Show in Anaheim CA. NAMM stands for National Association of Music Merchants, an organization started in 1901 for companies in the music industry to connect, network and further their businesses.

Music companies often show off their latest products, and endorsed artists appear, sometimes giving impromptu concerts right on the convention floor.

It’s an exciting show – there are so many things going on at once.

Who can attend?

Music industry executives, companies, Artists who are endorsed by companies, and Music educators are the main attendees, but NAMM does allow the general public to attend. It is not free and ticket prices have changed.

If you are ever interested in attending in the future, you can go to www.namm.org for more info.

It can get really noisy on the NAMM Show floor, so it was really tricky trying to get decent audio.

You will hear background noise, for sure, as well as trumpeters and saxophonists, feeling the need to test out their extreme high range too.

But I captured some awesome interviews with Mindi Abair & Theo Wanne, Jody Espina and Danielle Walker from JodyJazz, Jason Whitmore, Joel Peskin & Bob Shephard from Retro Revival, Chika Inoue, Jeff Antoniuk, Jason Whitmore,  Rovner Products, SYOS mouthpieces, Beechler mouthpieces, Melvin Quinones from Growling Sax, Ramon Manas from Travel Sax and more!

In this episode, I interviewed Chris Kortschot from Legere.

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

All of the NAMM Show 2022 episodes are sponsored by Legere Reeds. (www.legere.com)

We talked about:

🎷Reed strength recommendations

🎷Gerald Albright’s reed strength choices

🎷Rotate or no? That’s the question

🎷1 tip to soften the Legere reed strength

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.

Winner of Horn of the Year from the Blues Music Awards in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2015, Deanna Bogart has been electrifying audiences with her soulful saxophone playing, singing and dazzling keyboards for over 40 years.

She is a bandleader, songwriter, arranger, and produces festivals and other artists.

Deanna is also a sought-after educator/mentor/master classes/creative coach, while nonstop gigging around the globe and playing with stellar musicians everywhere. 

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

We talked about:

🎷 How Donna met Deanna & a funny story at a recent gig

🎷 How the statement, “Girls can’t play the sax” motivated her to prove her teacher wrong

🎷 Tips for leading a band

🎷 How playing sax helped her piano playing and singing

🎷 Deanna’s practice routine and what she does before each show

🎷 How to be confident and play freely

🎷 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.

A veteran of the international jazz scene, Max Ionata emerged in the early 90s and has performed with many modern greats including Robin Eubanks, Billy Hart, Joe Locke, Mike Stern, Bob Mintzer and compatriot Stefano Di Battista.

Max sent me his answers in written form, so they were read aloud with the backing music coming from his latest collaboration with Dominik Shurmann, Moons Ago

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

We covered:

🎷 Why he started on soprano saxophone, and not alto saxophone

🎷 The earliest records he listened to that impacted his playing

🎷 How he keeps his tone sounding so full

🎷 1 lesson that Max teaches his students that he feels is mandatory for them to understand

🎷 1 improvisation exercise that he practices frequently

🎷 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.

Today’s episode is about playing in military bands…

For this episode, I spoke with Larry Weintraub, saxophonist and clarinetist who has performed with Army and Navy bands from 1978 – 2005.

He was first introduced to military bands by his teacher at the time, Ron Diehl, lead alto player for the US Navy Jazz Commodores.

Since that time, he has traveled and performed all over the world.

Over the years he studied with Al Sigismondi, Edward Palanker, Joe Brisusco, Ron Diehl, Marty Nau, and others. 

He has also taught in public schools, taught saxophone and clarinet in Old Dominion University and received his Master’s in Music Education from the same institution.

He currently teaches and plays gigs on a regular basis. 

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

We talked about:

🎷 The 1 thing in college that shaped his life later on

🎷 How military bootcamp affected his practice and playing

🎷 Which military band is best for you

🎷 The glasses question - something I always wondered about

🎷 What you need BEFORE considering military bands

🎷 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 

For this episode, I spoke with Steve Goodson, founder of SaxGourmet products and his Nation of Music website, which contains tons of articles and information about all the parts of the saxophone, saxophone design, mouthpieces, key clamps and much more.

His SaxGourmet website has listings of Saxophone Makes and Models and Vintage Saxophone Value Guide. 

Steve has been part of the Music Industry since 1963, having performed all over the world from a very young age all the way up to the year 2003, where he stopped for health reasons.

He still teaches students in his New Orleans studio.

Steve started repairing his own horns in 1964, and over the years, he repaired saxophones for people all over the world, including Michael Brecker and Maceo Parker.

During this time he always thought he could improve on the design, and was inspired to create better saxophones.

That’s when he created his own unique line of horns, the SaxGourmet saxophones.

Musicians such as Tom Scott, Charles Neville, Aviva Maloney, James Martin perform on the Saxgourmet horns. 

You can read more about how he created these horns on his site by clicking the link below under Links.

Steve also is the administrator of many Facebook Discussion groups, such as Saxophone Nation and Saxophone Playing Techniques. A partial listing of those groups is on his SaxGourmet website.

Steve was also a regular contributor to the Saxophone Journal magazine.

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

We talked about:

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 

Grammy nominated saxophonist Tim Armacost has established himself as one of the most distinct saxophone voices on the New York scene today. 

Touring regularly around the world both as a sideman and a leader, Armacost has worked with a phenomenal number of jazz greats, including Al Foster, Jimmy Cobb, Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Billy Hart, Victor Lewis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Peter Erskine, Ray Drummond, Roy Hargrove, Don Friedman and Randy Brecker.

Armacost has recorded 14 critically acclaimed albums as a leader, performed on more than 60 as a sideman, and has recorded over 100 original songs and arrangements. Armacost is a widely respected educator, teaching at the Jamey Aebersold and Stanford Summer Jazz Workshops, at Queens College in New York City and as a clinician at Universities throughout the U.S., Japan and Europe.

Armacost co-leads the New York Standards Quartet,  the Brooklyn Big Band, and In Trio, and is currently working on music for two new projects: a chord-less quartet featuring Gary Smulyan, John Patitucci and Al Foster, and a new quartet with Jim Ridl, Ugonna Okegwo and Rudy Royston.

Tim’s new book, The Jazz Saxophone Book, published by Sher Music, has received wide acclaim from many jazz legends, such as Jamey Aebersold, Bob Mintzer, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi and others. This is not just for saxophonists! There’s information and exercises for everyone at all levels of improvising.

We talk extensively about the content in Tim’s book, as well as his thoughts on creating it in this episode. 

Tim Armacost is a D’Addario Recording Artist, playing D’Addario reeds exclusively.

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

Sher Music

Sher Music Co., are the publishers of Tim Armacost’s “The Jazz Saxophone Book” and over 100 other world-class jazz and Latin Music publications, from authors such as Hal Galper, David Berkman, Rebeca Mauleon, Barry Finnerty, Marc Johnson, Michael Spiro.You will also find the best-selling books by the late Mark Levine, “The Jazz Theory Book” and “The Jazz Piano Book.”

Sher Music started out primarily as a publisher of the ONLY professional-level jazz fakebooks on the market, “The New Real Books” and their quality is still unmatched, as shown by endorsements from Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, Maria Schneider, Dave Liebman and many others. One of our newest projects is the Jazz Songbook Series with separate digital-only books of compositions by Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Steve Swallow, Kenny Werner and Alan Pasqua, among others.

Legere Reeds!

Legere Reeds produces premium synthetic reeds that sound warm and are consistent for many months.

Aside from the Signature Series, the American Cut is available for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bari Saxes.

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:

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.

Jamie Anderson has been playing professionally for over 25 years, and is the founder of the online saxophone website, getyoursaxtogether.com.

He has performed at venues like The Blue Note Tokyo, Glastonbury Festival and Munich’s Olympic Stadium with artists such as The Four Tops, Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons, The Temptations, Joan Armatrading,Chaka Khan, the X-Factor TV Big Band and Incognito.

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:

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.

Tomplay is an interactive sheet music app which is used by more than one million musicians across 72 countries, and by hundreds of schools and conservatories worldwide. 

The interactive sheet music scrolls automatically on the screen synchronized with high-quality recordings of professional musicians.

Musicians can access a catalog of over 40,000 sheet music arrangements for 26 different instruments in the Tomplay app. 

In this episode, I spoke with a fellow saxophonist, Julia Sprossman.

Being a passionate hobby saxophonist, Julia has enjoyed many years of classical music education. Her next musical goal is to improve her Jazz improvisation skills. 

At TomPlay, Julia is looking after the German and English speaking clients and partner music schools to make sure all musicians have a great experience using Tomplay.

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.  

We talked about:

How TomPlay was created from a gap in the backing tracks industry Letting the Secret out! (The next version of TomPlay will have this much-requested capability) How TomPlay adapted during the pandemic to create a brand new feature for ensembles Extensive TomPlay app demo and its features How to use TomPlay to transcribe and study others’ solos How to use TomPlay on gigs; creating Setlists and more Special features for Music Teachers and their students How TomPlay can be adapted for special learners

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.

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.  

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:

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:

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

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: 

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

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing saxophonist and author, Katja Rieckermann.

We had done an interview at NAMM, but the noise level was so out of control, we decided to do a separate interview now. 

Katja, originally from the northern part of Germany in a small town called Luebeck, did not start playing the saxophone until age 21. It took a number of years and a bit of a struggle until she made the leap to move to the U.S. and in particular, Los Angeles, CA.

She has performed with rock bands Scorpions and Saga, and has been in television and films like Ally McBeal and Star Trek Nemesis.

In 2001, she got the opportunity to perform with Rod Stewart on his Human World Tour, and continued performing with him for 15 more years.

Since then, she has also performed with Carole King, Al Green, Jeff Goldblum, Carlos Santana, Mary J. Blige, Toto and many others.

She has 3 studio albums out, with guest artists such as Arturo Sandoval and Joe Bonamassa. One of her big singles, Walkin’ the Dog did well on the charts in 2015.

She’s performed with Lady Gaga at the Grammy Awards and also opened up for Tower of Power in Pasadena in 2019.

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

In this interview, we talked about: 

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.

Today’s guest is non-other than the young phenom, Alex Hahn, a multi-award winning saxophonist, educator and composer based in Los Angeles, California.

He recently won 1st place at the Michael Brecker International Saxophone Competition, graduated with his 2nd masters from the prestigious Thelonius Monk Institute, performed and studied with Herbie Hancock, and recorded on Michael Bublé’s last two Grammy Nominated albums.

He is a 6-Time Downbeat Magazine Award Winner, 3-Time Next Generation Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist, 1st Place Winner in the North American Saxophone Alliance Jazz Saxophone Competition, and winner of the Perform with Mintzer International Saxophone Competition.

Alex has taught all over the world including the Panama Jazz Festival, Sitka Jazz Festival, and at International Jazz Day in Havana,Cuba and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Chris Potter has said of Alex: “Alex has a real melodic gift in his writing and playing”

Alex is endorsed by D’Addario Woodwinds, Andreas Eastman Saxophones and Key Leaves.

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

In this interview, we talked about: 

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

Author, businesswoman, composer and top-level saxophonist, Mindi Abair, has defined her own niche in the saxophone and music world.

She debuted her solo career with her first album in 1999, and has recorded 11 more albums since then, and garnered 2 Grammy nominations.

Mindi has performed with Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Trombone Shorty, the Backstreet Boys, Teena Marie, Rick Braun, Dave Koz, and many others.

She has been the featured saxophonist on American Idol for a few seasons. Mindi also was featured on the Late Show with David Letterman and the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

She has recently performed and recorded her original Blues music with the Boneshakers and in 2018, they won 8 Independent Blues Awards.

Mindi wrote the book, How To Play Madison Square Garden – A Guide To Stage Performance, created the website http://www.prettygoodforagirl.net to celebrate women, and has served almost 10 years as an LA Chapter Governor, President and National Trustee for The Recording Academy. 

In 2019, Mindi launched Reserve Tastings Wine company, a lifestyle company merging wine + music with members-only exclusive wines paired with curated playlists, label-art and branded wine and music festivals.

This was an enlightening conversation no matter what genre you perform, whether it’s Rock, Blues, Bebop or Classical music.

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

In this interview, we talked about: 

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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

Having been born in Canada, grown up in Nigeria, studied music at University of North Texas, and touring in places such as Siberia, Jeff Antoniuk, truly brings a world-wide experience to his performance and teaching. 

Jeff has performed with Tim Hagans, Sherrie Maricle, Ingrid Jensen, Walt Weiskopf and Marcus Miller. He has fronted his own bands as a performer and composer, winning accolades from JazzTimes Magazine.

Jeff is a well-respected educator, having conducted over 2500 jazz masterclasses all over the world. He started the Maryland Summer Jazz Camp 15 years ago, and is the founder and creator of JazzWire.net, an online jazz education learning resource and community for adult amateur jazz players.

We had the most fun conversation!

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

In this interview, we talked about: 

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

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Saxophonist, composer, educator Derek Brown, has performed over 200 international shows and in every state in the US as part of his Fifty-Fifty tour. He has well over 30 million social media views of his unique and revolutionary way of playing the saxophone, and has been featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition. 

We featured Derek for our very first episode here on the Everything Saxophone Podcast. You can find that episode on our site, saxophonepodcast.com and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Donna caught up with Derek at the NAMM 2020 show in Anaheim for a brief interview and a special performance.

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

This episode was sponsored by:

Rovner Products

Key Leaves

In this interview, we talked about: 

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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

Saxophonist, composer and educator, Rajiv Halim, performs regularly with his Rajiv Halim Quintet in the greater Chicago area.

Rajiv was the saxophonist for the eclectic band, Kids These Days, and released an EP that garnered praise from the Chicago Tribune, NY Times and Huffington Post.

Rajiv has also won awards as a solo artist, having placed 2nd in the Saxophone Idol competition sponsored by Keilworth in 2013. He also took 2nd place in the 2014 Taichung International Saxophone Competition in Taiwan.

He has performed and recorded with artists such as Jennifer Hudson, Chance the rapper, Ernie Watts and many others.

Rajiv is a Key Leaves artist, and we got the chance to chat at the Key Leaves booth at the NAMM 2020 Show.

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

In this interview, we talked about: 

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Jody Espina is the founder, president and designer of JodyJazz Saxophone & Clarinet Mouthpieces. He is a highly regarded Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and flutist with a unique and personal sound and is also a respected Jazz educator.

He has taught in High Schools and Colleges in the United States and Spain, but because of the tremendous success of his mouthpieces, had to give up full-time teaching to devote all his time to his company.

Jody still gives Master Classes and Clinics all over the world on subjects such as sound production, practice techniques and improvising. 

Jody has done studio work, performed in the pit Orchestras on Broadway, and performed live with artists such as Mel Torme, Milton Berle, Lew Soloff, Dave Douglas and many others.

He studied mouthpiece design with the legendary Santy Runyon for many years.

JodyJazz.com enjoys the highest rating among saxophone mouthpiece companies on the World Wide Web (as rated on Alexa.com). As a player, Jody knows the importance of intimately knowing the products that he is making and selling that is why in addition to Jody, the JodyJazz crew includes three working professional recording saxophonists.

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

In this interview, we talked about: 

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Chika Inoue, has been praised for her beautiful tone, acute sensitivity and virtuosic technique. She has received numerous performance awards in competitions, lavishing praise as a soloist and chamber musician. Chika has performed internationally at major venues, appearing as soloist and chamber musician in the United States, Germany, Italy, China, and Japan.

Chika transcribes and performs works beyond the standard classical repertoire, performing works of violin, clarinet, oboe, flute, voice and piano, expanding the limits of the saxophone technique and artistry.

A native of Osaka, Japan, Chika spent most of her youth in Frankfurt, Germany and San Diego, California.

She is currently on faculty at Los Angeles City College as well as the California State University, Dominguez Hills. 

Chika is endorsed by Vandoren, Selmer, Key Leaves, and LeFreque.

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

In this interview, we talked about: 

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.

Meet Saxophonist, Author, Producer, Composer and Arranger Caleb Chapman.

For the past 22 years, Caleb has run CC Soundhouse in Utah. His bands, comprised of musicians ages 12-18, are regarded as some of the finest in the world, and have received dozens of awards, including a combined 52 of the prestigious DownBeat Awards and many more.

Caleb’s flagship ensemble, the Crescent Super Band, has a long list of performance credits that includes many of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals

In 2011, Caleb was named the “John LaPorta International Jazz Educator of the Year,” one of the highest honors in music education. He was also President of JEN, the Jazz Education Network.

He has appeared with artists as varied as GRAMMY-winning bassist, Christian McBride and Neon Trees frontman, Tyler Glenn. He has performed the National Anthem on solo saxophone at various NBA games.

In 2013,  Caleb wrote The Articulate Jazz Musician, with Dave Matthews Band saxophonist and multi-GRAMMY winner, Jeff Coffin. This book provides a cohesive way to articulate the jazz language. He also co-authored, Rehearsing the Jazz Band, with Mary Jo-Papich.

Caleb is an artist and clinician for Yamaha Saxophones, D’Addario Reeds, JodyJazz Mouthpieces, and Planet Wave Cables.

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

We talked about:

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