Everything Saxophone Podcast: Recent Episodes
Everything Saxophone Podcast
Each week, your Host Donna Schwartz brings you interviews, news, and reviews with some of the most exciting saxophonists in the world today. This is the place for the saxophone community to come together and learn through getting into the minds of our saxophone heroes. Enjoy the show and make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!
What does it take to perform with some of the biggest names in music while continuing to grow as an artist? In this episode of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz welcomes acclaimed saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator Steve Kortyka. Many musicians know Steve as a longtime member of Brian Newman’s jazz band, touring internationally […]
The post Saxophonist Steve Kortyka on Discipline & Performing with Famous People, Ep. 274 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Few saxophonists have built successful careers in both the classical and jazz worlds like Greg Banaszak. An internationally acclaimed performer, Greg has appeared as a concerto soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and jazz artist in prestigious venues across Europe, Asia, and the United States. He was also the first saxophonist to perform concertos with orchestras in […]
The post Saxophonist Greg Banaszak; Olympic-style Preparation for Performances, Ep. 273 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
In Episode 272 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz welcomes internationally acclaimed saxophonist Nick May (David Del Tredici, Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner) for a conversation that goes far beyond technique. From his early musical beginnings to his work as a performer, educator, and advocate, Nick shares the experiences that have shaped both his […]
The post Saxophonist Nick May; How he became a Classical Saxophone Phenom, Ep. 272 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Pete Christlieb is one of the most accomplished and recognizable tenor saxophonists of his generation, with a career spanning more than five decades across jazz, television, film, and popular music. Born in Los Angeles, California, into a musical family, Pete was surrounded by music from an early age. His father, Donald Orville Christlieb, was a […]
The post How Pete Christlieb’s Life was Shaped by The Jazz Masters; Ep 271 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Few musicians have managed to combine artistic excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and educational impact quite like Nicole Johaenntgen. In Episode 270 of The Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna sat down with the internationally acclaimed German saxophonist, composer, educator, and social media creator to discuss her remarkable journey and the many ways she continues to shape the global […]
The post Nicole Johaenntgen, Ep 270; Rhythm as the Foundation for Great Sax Solos appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
A frequent guest soloist with leading orchestras throughout the United States and abroad, Dale Underwood has performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, Australian Wind Orchestra, and the National Conservatory Orchestra in Sao Paolo, Brazil, among others. In 1993, Dale made his Carnegie Hall debut in a program featuring Claude T. Smith’s […]
The post Saxophonist & Educator Dale Underwood on Sound, Discipline & Building a Lasting Career, Ep. 269 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Christoph Irniger, born 1979, is a Swiss saxophonist, composer and bandleader. It has been said that he is “undoubtedly one of the greatest talents of his generation.” In recent years, Christoph has made a name for himself in a range of line-ups, playing jazz, rock and related musical styles. His work has been documented on […]
The post Saxophonist Christoph Irniger: Finding Your Voice in Modern Jazz, Ep. 268 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Saxophonist and composer, Shawn Maxwell has spent more than two decades on the Chicago scene. Interestingly enough, Maxwell didn’t get serious about saxophone or jazz until his years at Junior College when he was exposed to the works of Duke Ellington. Since then, he has released over a dozen albums of original music, earning two […]
The post Saxophonist Shawn Maxwell; How Being Different Propelled His Career, Ep. 267 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Steve Wilson has long been recognized as one of the most expressive and lyrical voices in modern jazz. JazzTimes has described him as “the consummate saxophonist-composer” and “one of the finest alto and soprano saxophonists of our time,” a reputation he has built through decades of outstanding performances, recordings, and collaborations. A veteran saxophonist and […]
The post Saxophonist Steve Wilson; His Melodic Approach to Improvisation, Ep. 266 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Chris Ward, AKA The Saxophone Warrior, has followed the road less traveled since the beginning of his musical journey, consistently thinking outside the box and pushing beyond traditional boundaries. Known for his fearless creativity and versatility, Chris brings his own distinctive voice to everything from traditional jazz and technical fusion to pop, indie, and electronica. […]
The post The Saxophone Warrior Chris Ward, Ep 265 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
In Episode 264 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz reconnects with saxophonist and educator Dr. Randal Clark. This time live from the NAMM Show 2026, for an in-depth look at the stunning new Award-Winning Black Sapphire Cannonball Saxophone. Innovation meets artistry in this conversation as Dr. Randal takes us behind the scenes of Cannonball’s […]
The post Award Winning Black Sapphire Cannonball Saxophone; Dr Randal Clark Live at the NAMM Show 2026, Ep. 264 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
The NAMM Show 2026 brought plenty of innovation to the saxophone world and Trevor James Saxophones made a strong impression this year! In Episode 263, Donna sits down with Sandro Massullo to talk about the brand’s newest soprano and baritone releases, including exciting developments for both intermediate and advancing players. During the conversation, Sandro shares […]
The post The New Trevor James Soprano and Baritone Saxophones; Sandro Massullo Live at the NAMM Show 2026, Ep 263 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
There’s nothing quite like hearing directly from the people who design the gear we put on our horns every day, and at the NAMM Show 2026, we had the chance to do exactly that. For Episode 262 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna sat down live at NAMM with Jody Espina, world-renowned jazz saxophonist, educator, […]
The post The New Quasar Alto Sax Mouthpiece from Jody Jazz; Live at the NAMM Show 2026, Ep 262 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Live from the NAMM Show 2026 floor, we sit down with Matt Ambrose, Chief Machinist and CAD Designer at Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces, to talk innovation, manufacturing, and the newly announced partnership with JJ Babbitt. Matt has been with Theo Wanne from the very beginning, and his expertise in CAD design, programming, and precision machining […]
The post Matt Ambrose of Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces; The New Partnership With JJ Babbitt, Live at the NAMM Show 2026, Ep 261 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Jeremiah True is a highly versatile woodwind performer proficient across the full saxophone family, as well as clarinets, flutes, and bassoon. His career spans orchestral performance, jazz, theatre pits, and rock ’n roll, making him a respected voice among professional saxophonists and woodwind players. He recently concluded a distinguished 21-year tenure in the United States […]
The post P. Mauriat’s New Saxophones for 2026 | Live at the NAMM Show with Jeremiah True (Ep. 260) appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Wes Smith is an in-demand musician who has performed with world famous personalities including Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Soul Legend Booker T Jones and Jazz Legend Poncho Sanchez. He has recorded commercially for names like Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and on numerous projects for the Film/TV Industry. He has performed across the […]
The post Saxophonist Wes Smith; How the Power of Community Skyrocketed His Music Career, ep. 259 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
New York–born and raised, Augie Bello is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter whose sound is distinctly eclectic; blending funk, pop, R&B, jazz, and electronic influences into a style that feels both timeless and current. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Allen Stone, Michael Brecker, Frank Sinatra, and Amy Winehouse, Augie has developed a sound […]
The post Saxophonist Augie Bello; How Playing With Joy Leads to Success, Ep. 258 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Hailing from Reading, Pennsylvania, Seth Ebersole has performed as a bandleader and sideman at such venues as the Detroit Jazz Festival, Rochester Jazz Festival, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, and the Amazonas Green Jazz Festival, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Basel Tattoo. He has appeared and recorded with such artists as Terell Stafford, Walter Smith III, […]
The post Saxophonist Seth Ebersole; A Masterclass in Mindset for all Musicians, Ep 257 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Andrew Hadro is a professional musician based in Brooklyn NY, where he performs on Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, Flute. He is one of the ONLY working musicians in New York City to play the Bass Saxophone and Contra-bass Clarinet. After more than 20 years in NYC, Andrew can be heard through an expanding […]
The post Baritone Saxophonist, Andrew Hadro; Sculpting the Sound, Ep 256 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
For more than 30 years, Paul Maslin, founder of PM Woodwind Repair, has been the go-to expert for saxophonists around the world who demand the highest level of craftsmanship and care for their instruments. A professional saxophonist himself, Paul understands exactly how a horn should feel and respond. Every saxophone that passes through his hands […]
The post Saxophonist & Repair Technician, Paul Maslin; How PM Woodwind creates a saxophone community, Ep 255 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
In this episode of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, host Donna Schwartz chats with the members of The Moanin’ Frogs, a dynamic saxophone sextet that’s bringing new life and personality to the world of chamber music. The Moanin’ Frogs saxophone sextet consists of six college professors delivering virtuosic performances of classical, ragtime, jazz, pop and many […]
The post Saxophone Sextet The Moanin’ Frogs; Making Saxophone Chamber Music Fun and Unique, Ep 254 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
For episode 253 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna interviews award-winning tenor saxophonist Harben Kay, who is set to release their third album, The World I Live In (Sulis Records, October 3, 2025). The album is a deeply personal reflection on identity, transformation, and how change influences creativity. Written over three years of moving between […]
The post Saxophonist Harben Kay; How to self-manage your albums, Ep. 253 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
https://pdcn.co/e/traffic.libsyn.com/everythingsaxophone/EP_252_-_DR._DAVID_CUTLER-FINAL.mp3
The post Dr. David Cutler; Amplifying Income, Impact & Innovation for Saxophonists, Ep. 252 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Dr. Woody Witt is a Houston-based saxophonist, composer, and educator who has built an international reputation as both a performer and teacher. He’s a Professor of Music at Houston Community College and teaches saxophone at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music. In 2014, Woody won the Grand Prize at the Taichung International Jazz […]
The post Saxophonist, Educator, Composer, Woody Witt; Free Jazz Modernized, Ep 251 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Saxophonist, composer, and educator David Bixler talked about his powerful recording, The Langston Hughes Project Vol. 1, released on Tiger Turn Records in January 2025. In answer to the purpose of this project, in Bixler’s own words he says: “I chose [Hughes’] poems that particularly spoke to me about topics that I care about. In […]
The post Saxophonist David Bixler; Pursuing Creative Conversations With Improvisation, Ep 250 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
In Episode 249 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, hosted by Donna Schwartz, rising star, baritone saxophonist Jimmy Farace, joins us for a conversation about storytelling through music, his influences, and his newly released debut album. Drawn to the baritone sax from an early age, Farace has developed a deeply expressive sound that’s earned praise from […]
The post Saxophonist Jimmy Farace; Understanding The Past to Maximize His Growth, Ep 249 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
In Episode 248 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, host Donna Schwartz sits down with saxophonist, educator, and composer Dr. Randal Clark for an inspiring conversation about music, artistry, and education. Timing is everything, just because something isn’t working right now doesn’t mean that the experience that you gain from it isn’t going to be valuable […]
The post Saxophonist Dr. Randal Clark; Taking Action To Control Your Destiny, Ep. 248 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
In Episode 247 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down with internationally renowned saxophonist, composer, and ECM recording artist Andy Sheppard. “Don’t think when you play; think when you practice” A true giant of European jazz, Andy is one of the few British saxophonists to make a lasting mark on the global scene. […]
The post Saxophonist Andy Sheppard; Pushing Sonic Boundaries, Ep. 247 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
In this episode we had the incredible honor of hosting Ted Klum himself alongside product manager Michael Howe from Ted Klum Mouthpieces! Those who play them, know. That’s been the motto for Ted Klum’s company for a long time and with good reason. Ted Klum Mouthpieces is the manufacturer of the world’s finest handcrafted mouthpieces for alto, tenor, and […]
The post Ted Klum Saxophone Mouthpieces; The Secrets Behind His Success, Ep 246 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Meet Dan White: Saxophonist, Multi-Instrumentalist, and Musical Innovator In this episode, Dan White reflects on his journey from a young student learning 50 tunes by ear to earning a music degree at Ohio State and touring professionally. Dan White is a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his electrifying solos and imaginative compositions and arrangements. Hailing […]
The post Saxophonist Dan White; Using the ‘Yes’ Mentality to Embrace Challenges, Ep 245 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Leah Concialdi, Saxophonist, about how to authentically pitch yourself. Leah Concialdi is a dynamic force in today’s music landscape, known for her versatility both on and off the stage. With dual degrees in classical performance and music education, she brings a deep well of knowledge to every […]
The post Saxophonist Leah Concialdi; How to Authentically Pitch Yourself, Ep 244 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Reggie Padilla, Saxophonist and Author, about how being versatile created amazing opportunities. Donna sits down with the incredibly versatile saxophonist Reggie Padilla to dive deep into his musical path — from surfing with a sax to creating his EP First Light, his etude book Reflecting Changes, and […]
The post Saxophonist Reggie Padilla; How Being Versatile Created Amazing Opportunities, Ep 243 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Dr. Scott Litroff, Saxophonist, Educator, about how to be an effective performer. This week on the podcast, Donna sits down with the incredible Dr. Scott Litroff—who shares his journey from picking up the violin to finding his true voice on the sax. It all started with a […]
The post Saxophonist Dr Scott Litroff – How to Be An Effective Performer, Ep 242 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Jason Gay, Saxophonist, Clinician, Author, about how embracing jazz history shaped his performing career. Jason Gay is a highly sought-after saxophonist, bandleader, teacher, and clinician based in Honolulu, Hawaii. With a career spanning decades, Jason has built a reputation as a versatile musician with deep roots in […]
The post Jason Gay; How Embracing Jazz History Shaped His Performing Career, Ep. 241 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Theo Wanne, from Theo Wanne Mouthpieces, at the NAMM Show 2025 in Anaheim, CA. We are thrilled to welcome Theo Wanne, a world-renowned expert in saxophone mouthpiece design and innovation, to our podcast. With a career spanning over three decades, Theo has revolutionized the way musicians approach […]
The post Theo Wanne Essentials Collection; NAMM Show 2025, Ep 240 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Sheryl Laukat—CEO & Co-Founder and Dr Randal Clark—Dir of Media & Education of Cannonball Musical Instruments, at the NAMM Show 2025 in Anaheim, CA. In this special episode, we go behind the scenes with Cannonball Instruments at NAMM 2025! We dive into what makes Cannonball saxophones stand […]
The post Cannonball Instruments, Live at the NAMM Show 2025, Ep 239 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Andy Lutz, from ProTec Style Company, at the NAMM Show 2025 in Anaheim, CA. On the second day of NAMM 2025, I took some time to explore one of the most important aspects of saxophone care—having a reliable case to protect your instrument. Most saxophones come with […]
The post New Bari Sax Compact Case; Andy Lutz from ProTec, NAMM Show 2025, Ep 238 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Melvin Quinones, Founder of Victory Musical Instruments, and inventor of the World’s First ‘Screwless’ Saxophone! Victory Musical Instruments has gained recognition among musicians and dealers for its craftsmanship and performance. Their instruments are designed with precise intonation and innovative mechanisms, making them a popular choice for players looking […]
The post The World’s First ‘Screwless’ Saxophone from Victory Musical Instruments; NAMM Show 2025, Ep 237 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed CEO of Bari Woodwinds, Ron Van Ostenbridge, live at the NAMM Show 2025. If you’re a saxophonist, you know that the right gear can make all the difference. This year at the NAMM Show 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to meet with the CEO of Bari Woodwinds […]
The post Ron Van Ostenbridge Live from NAMM Show 2025; The New Cobalt Reeds from Bari Woodwinds, Ep 236 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Saxophonist and Educator, Jeremiah True, live at the NAMM Show 2025. With a diverse background spanning orchestral, jazz, theater pits, and rock ‘n roll, Jeremiah True brings a wealth of experience and artistry to every performance. He recently concluded an esteemed 21-year career with the US Air Force […]
The post Jeremiah True Live from NAMM Show 2025: The New Venus Model from P. Mauriat Saxophones—Ep 235 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed, Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Don Braden! For over 40 years, Don Braden has toured the world as a leader of his own ensembles on saxophone and flute, as a special guest, and as a sideman with jazz legends such as Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Tony Williams, Roy […]
The post Saxophonist Don Braden; How Teamwork Impacted His Jazz Journey – Ep. 234 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Mark Overton, Founder of SaxQuest and the National Saxophone Museum. Mark Overton started Saxquest in 2000 with a vision of creating a mecca for saxophone players to find great equipment, share knowledge/learn about their instrument and engage in safe honest transactions with a knowledgeable sales staff in both […]
The post Mark Overton; Experience Saxquest and National Saxophone Museum – Ep 233 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
This episode is a Masterclass! Saxophonist Mark Hartsuch has differentiated himself by producing amazing horn section recordings and live performances for the world’s top artists. He is most well known for working with India’s top music director, AR Rahman, both in live performance and studio productions. His other collaborations include Ranjit Barot, Mohini Dey, Mr. […]
The post Saxophonist Mark Hartsuch; 3 Tenets of Being a Great Musician, Plus Tips on Tone and Improvisation, Ep 232 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Saxophonist Bennett Wood is a freelance musician, composer, and clinician. He was recently appointed as Director of Jazz Studies at Webster University. He previously held academic appointments at the University of Memphis, Mineral Area College, Texas State University, Texas Lutheran University, and Texas A&M University-Kingsville and served as the Interim Director of Education and Community […]
The post Saxophonist Bennett Wood; Taking Inspired Action to Create His Debut Album Space in Time, Ep 231 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and educator Kyle Brooks is a rising performer and pedagogue seasoned by and for the modern music industry. Versed in multicultural idioms, Kyle has and continues to work with organizations that regularly present jazz, rock, hip hop, Bollywood, Malayalam, electronic, and salsa music, just to name a few. As a performer, […]
The post Saxophonist Kyle Brooks; How Improvising in Different Contexts Influenced His New Album, Monarch, Ep 230 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Asha Parkinson is a UK-based saxophonist and composer whose works cross the boundaries of classical, jazz, and world music. Asha was a semi-finalist in the 2016, 2018, and 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competitions. She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with a Bachelor of Music Honors (1st class) […]
The post Saxophonist/Composer Asha Parkinson; Taking Risks to Abolish Cultural Boundaries, Ep 229 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Denis DiBlasio is a saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger, and Full Professor and Director of the Jazz Performance and Composition Programs at Rowan University. Denis was the Musical Director, composer, and arranger for the Maynard Ferguson Band for 5 years. He is a published author of five texts on jazz improvisation, and a recording artist for […]
The post Saxophonist Denis DiBlasio; Adapting and Thriving With Improvisation, Composing and Teaching, Ep 228 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
James Brandon Lewis is at the top of the international jazz world. He stands in the tradition of saxophonists such as Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler, and John Coltrane. With his powerful, direct, and rich tenor saxophone sound and a lyrical quality that unfolds in both his solos and his compositions, he is causing a sensation. […]
The post Saxophonist James Brandon Lewis; Letting the Melody Drive Innovation, Ep 227 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Born in Tyler, Texas, and raised in Houston, Theresa Grayson began playing piano and saxophone in fourth grade, building her foundation through church performances from age 12. She studied under renowned musicians and earned degrees in music performance, jazz studies, and music education. Theresa has been a dedicated music educator since the early 2000s. She […]
The post Saxophonist Theresa Grayson; Live at Sax Girls Rock Concert Las Vegas August 3 2024, Ep 226 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Joyce Spencer, an award-winning saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist from Dallas, Texas, showcases a diverse range of musical styles. Her repertoire spans traditional to contemporary jazz, classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop, and Gospel/Christian. With a background in instrumental music education, Joyce holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Performance. After a 20-year corporate career, […]
The post Saxophonist Joyce Spencer; Live at Sax Girls Rock Concert Las Vegas August 3 2024, Ep 225 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Nancy Saenz, aka ‘Lady Woodwind’ started her musical journey at Marshall Jr High School in the heart of Houston’s old barrio Northside. She started on the flute, going to many competitions all over Texas. Nancy was introduced to the saxophone in high school, and quickly excelled, going to many jazz festivals and winning Jazz Musician […]
The post Saxophonist Nancy Saenz, aka ‘Lady Woodwind’; Live at Sax Girls Rock Concert Las Vegas August 3 2024, Ep 224 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Allana Southerland Prince started playing clarinet in Middle school. She loved music so much, she added saxophone, piano, and flute to the mix. She went to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts for High School and that’s where she knew she had a passion for music. Allana graduated from the University of North Florida with […]
The post Saxophonist Allana Southerland Prince; Live at Sax Girls Rock Concert Las Vegas Aug. 3 2024, Ep 223 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Kim Jay takes audiences on a captivating, magical, and awe-inspiring sonic journey with what has been called “a multi-instrumental dream, a cosmic one-woman ensemble”. Kim Jay has been performing as a soloist on saxophones since 2001. Some of her main influences have been: Sarah Vaughn, Cassandra Wilson, Shirley Horn, John Coltrane, Grover Washington Jr, Crosby, […]
The post Saxophonist Kim Jay; Live at Sax Girls Rock Concert Las Vegas August 3 2024, Ep 222 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Born into a family tree of well-versed musicians, Ernie Delores (Caldwell) Shelby is a talented saxophonist, vocalist, and composer. In elementary school, when the music department ran out of “girlie” instruments such as flutes and clarinets, she was given a choice between tuba or saxophone. At the tender age of 14, a heckler in the […]
The post Saxophonist Ernie D Shelby aka Lady Sax; Live at Sax Girls Rock Concert Las Vegas August 3, 2024, Ep 221 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Straight ahead Jazz Saxophonist, Vasilis Xenopoulos, is one of the most accomplished Greek jazz musicians of his generation. He graduated with honors from the Berklee College of Music and gradually established himself as one of London’s up-and-coming jazz saxophonists. He has worked with some of the best musicians in the International Jazz Scene as a […]
The post Vasilis Xenopoulos Saxophone Podcast; Embracing Change and Standing Out, Ep 220 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Born in Toronto Canada, Joey Berkley moved to NYC in 1979 after graduating with honors from the Music Program at Humber College. A jazz musician firmly rooted in the tradition of Coltrane, Miles, and Monk, Joey incorporated these influences to develop his sound. Joey’s career as a tenor saxophonist and recording artist has evolved through […]
The post Saxophonist Joey Berkley; Rising Above the Challenges, Ep 219 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Chase Huna is a saxophonist, national recording artist, and songwriter from Palm Springs, CA who blends jazz, R&B, and pop into his style of music. Chase started playing saxophone at the age of 10 after his dad bought him his very first sax for his birthday. Chase put out his first song “On The Chase” […]
The post Chase Huna, Embracing Curiosity to Keep Moving Forward, Ep 218 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Khari Allen Lee has arisen as one of the most in-demand saxophonists, educators, composers, and multi-instrumentalists of his generation. He has performed and recorded with such luminaries as Ellis Marsalis, Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, DeeDee Bridgewater, Stevie Wonder, Raphael Saadiq, and more. In 2017, he won a Grammy for his work […]
The post Khari Allen Lee; Influencing The Next Generation of Artists, Ep 217 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
After seeing a saxophonist busking in the streets in her hometown, a very young Heidi Radtke knew she wanted to play saxophone. She got her wish at age 11, and from that moment on, has studied with some of the best classical saxophonists around to become one of the most well-regarded contemporary saxophonists on the […]
The post Saxophonist Heidi Radtke; Divergent Styles Influenced by Traditions, Ep 216 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Born in a very small town in Denmark (Vejle) in 1982, Jeppe took a keen interest in the drums at a young age. Jeppe Zacho also started playing saxophone at 15 years old, upon his father’s advice. As a teenager, Jeppe traveled to Cuba to study the intricate Cuban rhythms he so loved. This monumental […]
The post Jeppe Zacho; Modern Jazz The Old Fashioned Way, Ep 215 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
You may not have heard about the new, patented design of the EMEO Digital Practice Saxophone. They started 9 years ago, and have been on the market for 4 years. At the NAMM Show 2024, it was a big hit – their booth was crowded every single day. This isn’t your conventional saxophone. It features […]
The post EMEO Digital Practice Saxophone; Latest Updates From The NAMM Show 2024, Ep 214 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Established in 1974 by Phil Rovner, Rovner® began its journey with the creation of one ligature, the original Dark. Since then, it has expanded its range to encompass four “Classic” models and four “NextGeneration” models. Distributed globally, Rovner® products are cherished by musicians of all levels, from novices to top-tier professionals. Despite numerous imitators, the […]
The post Rovner Products LGX Saxophone Ligature; George Reeder at the NAMM Show 2024, Ep 213 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
There was a ton of action going on at the P. Mauriat booth during the NAMM Show 2024. Despite that, I still had the privilege of speaking with Jeremiah True, Brand Manager at P. Mauriat, who is a really special guy. Jeremiah True is a versatile woodwind performer proficient in all saxophones, clarinets, flutes, and […]
The post Jeremiah True-P Mauriat Saxophones; Practicing Saxophone to Get Results, NAMM Show 2024, Ep 212 appeared first on 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 […]
The post Claude Lakey Saxophone Mouthpieces; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 211 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post The New Screw-less Saxophones by Victory Musical Instruments; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 210 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post New JJ Babbitt Saxophone Mouthpieces; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 209 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post New Silverstein Works Saxophone Mouthpieces and Reeds; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 208 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 has also received the […]
The post Sharel Cassity & Mentorship Through Jazz Up; NAMM Show 2024 Ep 207 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Saxophonist Rick Margitza; Embracing Readiness Unveils a New Universe, Ep 206 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
I am consistently thrilled to visit the Theo Wanne booth at every NAMM Show, as they invariably unveil innovative products. At the NAMM Show 2024, I was particularly impressed by the introduction of the new Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces. Theo is considered the world’s foremost expert on the design and manufacturing of saxophone mouthpieces. As […]
The post New Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 205 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Legere Reeds French Cut; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 204 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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, […]
The post Saxophonist & DJ Susanne Alt; Finding Her Own Voice, Ep 203 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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: How EMEO is using FDA-approved dental material Why […]
The post EMEO Music’s New Saxophone Mouthpieces; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 202 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 Polypropylene (PP). […]
The post Lars Hueseler, Forestone Reeds; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 201 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Jody Jazz New DV HR Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 200 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Marca’s New Cane & Synthetic Unic Reeds; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 199 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. He also received […]
The post Saxophonist Woody Witt; Inspired By Streams of Consciousness, Ep 198 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Vandoren’s New Saxophone Mouthpieces; NAMM Show 2024 with Sylvain Carton, Ep 197 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Austin Gatus; Interview & Live Performances at the NAMM Show 2024, Ep 196 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Introducing the New Trevor James Intermediate Saxophones; NAMM Show 2024, Ep 195 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Gordon Goodwin; Multiple Grammy Winning Composer, Arranger, Saxophonist & Pianist, Ep 194 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 post Soprano Saxophonist, Sam Newsome; Taking Cosmic Unconsciousness to New Heights, Ep 193 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 Anthony Helliwell. Born in West Yorkshire, England, John’s first […]
The post John Anthony Helliwell; One of the world’s most recognizable saxophonists, Ep 192 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Victor Goines Podcast; Paying homage to legendary Jazz artists, Ep 191 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Jason Mingledorff Podcast; Soulful New Orleans Sax Grooves, Ep 190 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Pedro Eustache Podcast; Bonus Episode on Improvisation Ep.189 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 post Pedro Eustache Podcast; Having the right mindset to master over 600 instruments, Ep 188 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Pedro Eustache Podcast; Music transcending through sound, Ep 187 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Max Ionata Podcast; Fresh take on the Jazz Masters, Ep 186 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Carly Stock Podcast; Inspiring a new generation of female saxophonists – Ep 185 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Dr. Ed Calle Podcast; The Most Versatile Saxophonist On The Planet – Ep 184 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
This episode, filmed on location at the JJ Factory in Savannah, GA, is a masterclass by Jody Espina in saxophone mouthpiece anatomy. Even if you are not an equipment geek, this episode will answer all your saxophone mouthpiece questions. Jody went into great detail about: A possible reason for why your low notes do not […]
The post Saxophone Mouthpiece Masterclass with Jody Espina of Jody Jazz Mouthpieces – Ep 183 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Play testing saxophone mouthpieces at the Jody Jazz Factory – Ep 182 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
In this 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 […]
The post How Your Jody Jazz Mouthpiece is Made; Jody Jazz Podcast – Ep 181 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. […]
The post A Day In The Life At The Jody Jazz Factory; Jody Espina Podcast – Ep 180 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. Plus: see which famous band is endorsing Jody Jazz discover the Jody Jazz […]
The post JodyJazz Mouthpieces Podcast; Meet the new DV HR Alto Sax Mouthpiece – Ep 179 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Ryan Richman of Eastman Winds Podcast; Meet the New, Revolutionary 52nd Street Tenor Saxophone – Ep 178 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Lefreque Podcast; Live from the NAMM Show 2023 – Ep 177 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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, […]
The post David Demsey Podcast; Sneak Peek into the Michael Brecker Archives and Practice Notebooks – Ep 176 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. We also talked about new places […]
The post SYOS Mouthpieces Saxophone Podcast; Live from the NAMM Show 2023 – Ep 175 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. I spoke with Oleg Raskin from EMEO, and we talked about: The features of the EMEO Digital Practice Saxophone The purpose […]
The post EMEO Digital Practice Saxophone Podcast Live at the NAMM Show 2023; A new patented design to make practicing fun – Ep 174 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Richard Pavlidis Saxophone Podcast; A saxophone colossus in the making – Ep 173 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 post Andy Lutz from ProTec Podcast Live at the NAMM Show 2023; Meet the new Micro Zip Saxophone Case – Ep 172 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. In this short interview ( there was a really loud brass band playing not too far […]
The post Jeff Kashiwa Podcast Live at the NAMM Show 2023 – Ep 171 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Sandro Massullo of Trevor James Saxophones Podcast; Live from the NAMM Show 2023 – Ep 170 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
In a previous podcast with Melvin Quinones, we talked about the Growling Sax models. 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. We spoke […]
The post Melvin Quinones of Victory Musical Instruments Podcast; The New Revelation Series of saxophones – Ep 169 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. In this episode, we talked about: How she created her “Grace-ified” version of A Night In Tunisia and other cover songs […]
The post Grace Kelly at NAMM Show 2023 Podcast; Putting a new spin on timeless jazz classics – Ep 168 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
Donna spoke with Matt Ambrose, Chief Machinist, from Theo Wanne Mouthpieces, at the NAMM Show 2023 in Anaheim, CA. We spoke about: the updated Theo Wanne mouthpiece models – Brahma, Shiva and Ambika Matt’s advice for finding the best mouthpiece for you Comparing the Gaia 4 to the Brahma 4 The best gear just gets […]
The post Theo Wanne Mouthpieces Podcast; NAMM Show 2023 update – Ep 167 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 post Virginia Mayhew Podcast; Critically acclaimed jazz musician – Ep 166 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. We […]
The post Daniel Hofmann Podcast; Everything you wanted to know about Fiberreed – Ep 165 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. We talked about: – the new Eco Reed, and how Bari is doing its part in saving the planet – […]
The post Bari Woodwinds; More than just synthetic reeds – Ep 164 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 of her good friend, Melvin […]
The post Angela Gomez Podcast; Live at NAMM 2023 – Ep 163 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Karl Hunter Podcast; 3000 shows and still going – Ep 162 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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, […]
The post Mando Dorame Podcast; Co-founder of Royal Crown Revue & Established TV and Film Composer – Ep 161 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Javon Jackson Podcast; International prominence playing diverse styles – Episode 160 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Marcus Click Podcast; From Military Service to taking his saxophone playing to another level – Episode 159 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Bill Plake Podcast, Part 2; Helping Musicians Feel & Perform Better – Episode 158 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Bill Plake Podcast, Part 1; Improvising is all about the melody – Episode 157 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Ryan Richman Podcast: Bringing Eastman Winds to a whole new level – Episode 156 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. “I‘m realizing more and […]
The post Michael Wilbur Podcast: How his thought process helped him reach new levels of success – Episode 155 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 post Paul Winter Podcast; How Environmentalism Shaped His Work – Episode 154 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Matthew Alec Saxophone Podcast; Giving Back to the Music Scene in Cleveland – Ep. 153 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Greg Banaszak Podcast; Legendary Charlie Parker Stories – Ep 152 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Marco Pignataro Podcast; Chant For Our Planet – Ep 151 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Travel Sax & Odisei Music Podcast at NAMM Show 2022 – Ep 150 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Growling Sax & Victory Musical Instruments Podcast at NAMM Show 2022 – Ep 149 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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. (See Link Below.) Chateau Musical Instruments was founded in 1979, making quality saxophones, […]
The post Chateau Musical Instruments Podcast at the NAMM Show 2022 – Ep 148 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Beechler Mouthpieces Podcast at the NAMM Show 2022 – Ep 147 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Mindi Abair and Theo Wanne at the NAMM Show 2022 – Ep 146 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Mauro DiGioia of ReedGeek at NAMM Show 2022 – Ep 145 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Meet the New Avatar; Rovner Products at NAMM Show 2022-Ep 144 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
The post Ep 143 – Jason Whitmore at the NAMM Show 2022 appeared first on Everything Saxophone Podcast.
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 […]
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 […]
Danielle Walker has been playing saxophones since age 11. She performed in all ensembles offered at her school, an at age 16, was the youngest and only female member of the group, The Jekyll Island Big Band. In 1998, as a sophomore in Brevard College, she was featured on the baritone sax with that college’s […]
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 […]
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. How Donna Met Tim I had […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
[iframe style=”border:none” src=”//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/23492681/height/100/width//thumbnail/no/render-playlist/no/theme/custom/tdest_id/3528512/custom-color/87A93A” height=”100″ width=”100%” scrolling=”no” allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen]In the second episode from our Live From NAMM Show 2022 Series, Donna interviewed Saxophonist & Educator, Chika Inoue. In this episode, we talked about 🎷 Her brand new California State University Summer Arts program: “The Art of Classical Saxophone” 🎷 Equipment that she uses, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. For this episode, we did our interview over email, and Donna read the answers aloud for the audio […]
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. […]
You may be wondering why we devoted a whole episode to saxophone necks? It’s because this part of your instrument is more important than you think. If there are problems with your saxophone’s neck, not only will your tone and timbre be affected, but also your intonation, ease of blowing, efficiency and more. For this […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
London-born saxophonist Alex Hitchcock is regarded as one of the UK’s most virtuosic young jazz musicians. His group AuB, which released its debut album on Edition Records in 2020, was described as ‘ready to make cataclysmic waves in the sound of UK jazz’ by Jazzwise. His quintet’s critically acclaimed 2018 debut on Barcelona-based label Fresh […]
Matt Stohrer has been repairing, selling, and trading saxophones for a long time. He takes pride in his work, and cares deeply about what he does. He learned his craft in New York City, working for Sam Ash Music on the famed Music Row, 48th St. in Times Square, Manhattan where he started as a […]
Born and raised in Lima, Perú, Lucia Sarmiento has been influenced by classic jazz players like Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, as well as modern players such as Chris Potter and Michael Brecker. After graduating high school, Lucia moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina to study at the Conservatorio Manuel de Falla, where she studied jazz […]
Saxophonist & educator, Godwin Louis, was born in Harlem, New York and began playing saxophone at age nine. Godwin grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Port au Prince, Haiti. Godwin was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Saxophone Competition, and has performed all over the world. He is a graduate of Berklee […]
Saxophonist and mouthpiece creator, Matt Lee uncovered his passion for music when his grandmother bought him his 1st alto saxophone. From that point, he knew he found his calling. Matt followed his dream from California to Nevada, and writes most of his own music and produces from Las Vegas. He is a self taught saxophonist […]
Saxophonist, composer and author Walt Weiskopf began his New York career performing with the Buddy Rich Big Band in 1981 at the age of 21. Since then, he has made an impressive mark as both a leader and sideman with over 20 critically acclaimed CDs and countless sideman credits, including performing and recording with Frank […]
This episode is super special because I have not just 1, but 2 guests with me. My first guest is Stefano Bedetti, the Italian saxophone phenom. (In the beginning of this episode, you heard an excerpt of him playing Shiny Stocking.) Stefano is a self-taught musician who began to play tenor saxophone at the age […]
Mention the Beets name pretty much anywhere in the world, and any jazz enthusiast in the room will know what you’re talking about: quality, and a strong brand of bop and swing. And swing… that’s one thing tenor saxophonist, Alexander ‘The Hurricane’ Beets brings each year to the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival and every festival […]
One of the most decorated saxophonists of her generation, Nicki Roman, has won prizes at prestigious competitions such as the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Solo Competition, Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Solo Competition, William C. Byrd International Competition, Fischoff, and the Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship. Her latest album, Unquiet Waters, features expressive […]
Chances are, you’ve heard the sound of Tia Fuller before. If you saw the blockbuster Pixar film, Soul, Fuller served as the sound behind the music of animated character “Dorothea Williams,” the sassy saxophonist (voiced by Angela Bassett). If you’ve caught any of Beyonce’s tours, Tia was part of an all-star All-Female Band, that also […]
Ramon Manas, Founder of Odisei Music, and Creator of the Travel Sax wanted to find a way to practice his saxophone more. His time was limited and his living situation didn’t allow him the freedom to practice whenever he wanted. Because of that, he was starting to get self-conscious about playing at all. Having an […]
Billboard charting saxophonist, Chris Godber has become a highly sought after performer in both the Smooth Jazz & Gospel Jazz realms. His 2015 album “Starting Over”launched him into the Smooth Jazz spotlight with the chart topping hits Rain and Chill. HIs goal when he performs is not to just entertain, but to inspire. At an […]
In Part 2 of my interview with Steven Banks, we talked about: Tips and recommendations of pieces for Classical saxophonists What made him decide to go the classical route instead of jazz Steven talks about his equipment in detail, and the research he’s done A key question to ask when thinking about your set up […]
Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Advocate, Steven Banks is an Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Ithaca College in NY. He is the first saxophonist to earn a place on the Young Concert Artists roster in its 59-year history, capturing First Prize at the 2019 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. He has won numerous other awards, including Korean […]
Matthew Steckler (aka Matty Stecks) performs and composes in several musical settings internationally. Primarily a saxophonist/woodwind specialist, he also performs on vocals, keyboards, percussion and electronic media, bringing a dynamic, holistic approach to the live musical experience. As an artist, Matthew has appeared at prominent festivals and concert series, and has received commissions from Chamber […]
Jennifer Price, creator of Vigilante Mouthpieces, attended Berklee College of Music where she was a flute major. After graduating, she left Boston for NYC, where she worked on 48th Street in the music district by day as a woodwind buyer for various shops and played all sorts of jazz and classical gigs nights and weekends. […]
Today’s episode is going to give you some insight into one of the best resources for saxophone players at any level. Harri Rautiainen is the original Founder of the Sax on the Web Forum, a website created over 20 years ago that not only has a vibrant Discussion Forum on a wide range of topics, […]
To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, we are really excited to present New York-based saxophonist and composer Sam Newsome. Sam often works in the medium of solo saxophone, an approach for which he received a five-star review in Downbeat magazine & gained world-wide critical acclaim with his 2009 recording, Blue Soliloquy: Solo Works for Soprano Saxophone. […]
To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, we are really excited to present Jaleel Shaw, who has been a long standing member of the Roy Haynes Quartet, the Mingus Big Band and recently joined Tom Harrell’s Color of a Dream band. A bandleader in his own right, Jaleel’s solo recordings have been met with rave reviews from […]
Shelley Jagow (PhD.), Professor of Music at Wright State University (Dayton, OH), is Director of Bands conducting both the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony, and teaches conducting at the undergraduate and graduate level. She is a Vandoren Artist-Clinician, as well as a music education clinician for Conn-Selmer and Meredith Music/GIA Music. Shelley has presented clinics […]
March is Women’s History Month, and we are really excited to present the phenomenal multi-genre performer, educator and composer from the UK, Emma McPhilemy. As a classically trained musician, Emma takes great pleasure in using her refined instrumental skill to experiment and collaborate with other performers. From classical, contemporary and improvisational to folk, pop, R&B […]
Los Angeles-based saxophonist Bob Reynolds is a Grammy-winning member of the instrumental group Snarky Puppy, an award-winning composer, and a prolific recording artist with 10 top-selling solo albums to his credit. Widely known for his work with both Snarky and John Mayer, he’s been a featured soloist with Grammy-winning instrumentalists like Larry Carlton, Chris Botti, […]
Our 101st guest is Brent Vaartstra, a professional jazz guitarist living in New York City, and the Director of the internationally renowned jazz education company, Learn Jazz Standards. Even though Brent plays guitar, we thought it would be incredibly valuable for you to know about Learn Jazz Standards and to get into the mind of […]
Alexa Tarantino is an award-winning, vibrant, young jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, and educator. Tarantino was recently named one of the “Top 5 Alto Saxophonists of 2019” by the JazzTimes Critics’ Poll. She has performed regularly as a leader and side woman with the Alexa Tarantino Quartet, Cecile McLorin, Ulysses Owens Jr., LSAT ( the […]
Over the last 30 years, British saxophonist Tim Garland has forged a reputation as a highly distinctive and in-demand musician and composer. Whilst often inspired by influences from the diverse European classical tradition, his celebrated virtuosity as a saxophonist and improviser maintains his position as one of the UK’s most authentic jazz voices. He has […]
Sax-Man, Elan Trotman, who has quickly become one of the fastest rising stars in jazz with over 10 Billboard topping radio singles in his young career. Trotman brings his tropical grooves and soulful Caribbean flavors to major festivals and cruises worldwide. In addition to a successful solo career, the Berklee College of Music graduate has […]
You may not be familiar with Dana Robbins’ name, but odds are you’re already well-acquainted with her unique, bright yet smoky saxophone sound. The Nashville-by-way-of-Ann-Arbor (with a ten-year stop in Los Angeles) Robbins has been a featured player for superstars including Barry Manilow, Roger Daltrey, Frank Zappa, TajMo (Taj Mahal and Keb Mo), Aretha Franklin […]
Danny Markovitch is the co-leader and founder of the jazz-fusion band, Marbin. Marbin is a progressive jazz-rock band based in Chicago, IL, with a unique story that stands out in today’s music world. With a do-it-yourself approach, Marbin started touring extensively in 2011, bringing their original instrumental music to every part of the United States. […]
Phil Rovner founded Rovner Products in 1974, when he created the Original Dark ligature. To this day, that ligature is still one of the top sellers in the entire Rovner catalog. Over the years, more Classic models were developed, such as the Light, the Eddie Daniels (the Versa replaced this one), and the Mk III. […]
Doug Levin started playing saxophone at the age of 10. His earliest influences were guitar players like Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Steve Vai, whose sonic explorations would inform his love of effects and pedals. His love of music expanded and his broadening musical capacity led him to play with such greats as The […]
Grammy award winning baritone saxophonist Lauren Sevian is one of the most in demand musicians on the scene today. She is the Winner of the “Rising Star” Baritone Saxophonist in the 67th Downbeat Critics Poll and Winner of the Hothouse Jazz Awards Baritone Saxophone 2019. Ms. Sevian came to NYC in 1997 to attend the […]
Adrian Crutchfield has taken the world by storm in recent years, not only as the last sax player to perform and record with Prince, touring the world and being featured on Prince’s last three albums, but also touring domestically and internationally with acts such as Lionel Ritchie, Bette Midler, and Cee-Lo Green — all the […]
Saxophonist, flutist, and composer Laura Dreyer is a vibrant, creative voice in the New York jazz scene. Her catchy original compositions combine lyrical melodies with jazz, Brazilian rhythms, funk, and rock, resulting in an exciting, contemporary palette of sound with a strong rhythmic twist. A multi-instrumentalist, Dreyer performs both nationally and internationally with her Brazilian […]
Kim Cypher is creating quite a stir on the jazz scene at present, emerging as one of the UK’s most exciting saxophonists, vocalists and composers and firmly securing a reputation for top quality, stylish, accessible jazz and musical entertainment. Inspired by the funkier side of jazz and having studied alongside US saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis […]
This episode is part 1 of a 2-part series with Doug Levin and Aaron Janik from Horn-FX. In 2015, their love of effects and pedals had led Doug Levin and Aaron Janik to various corners of the six-stringed internet and back rooms of guitar centers, only to realize an unfortunate thing: There was nowhere to […]
This episode is part 2 of a 2-part series with Antonio Hart. The 1st part, episode 86, was all about jazz history. You can check that out on our site saxophonepodcast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. For this episode, we went deeper into Antonio’s own story. His influences, thought processes and more. Antonio Hart […]
Multi-instrumentalist, Vocalist, Composer Camille Thurman is the first woman in 30 years to tour and perform full time two seasons as a saxophonist with the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for 2 seasons. Camille has shared stages with such jazz and R&B luminaries as George Coleman, Roy Haynes, Dianne Reeves, Wynton Marsalis, The Jazz […]
In this episode, you are going to get a great Jazz History lesson. When I was getting my Master’s Degree at Queens College, I took a Jazz History course that I never forgot. The Professor was a well-known, widely regarded Jazz musician even in his early thirties. Grammy-nominated Alto Saxophonist, Composer, and Educator, Antonio Hart, […]
Doug Webb, a great saxophonist based here in Los Angeles, is featured on hundreds of recordings for artists including Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Sal Marquez, Stanley Clarke, Brian Bromberg, Quincy Jones, Mat Marucci, Bobby Caldwell, Kyle Eastwood, Rod Stewart, Carly Simon, Art Garfunkel, Queen Latifah and Cher. He played for fifteen years with the Doc Severinsen […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
In our latest series of interviews from the NAMM 2020 Show in Anaheim, Donna interviewed Saxophonist, Producer, Composer and Arranger Darren Rahn. Darren has had multiple #1 singles on the Billboard Contemporary jazz charts over the years, and has produced artists such as Najee, Dave Koz, Riley Richard and many others. In this interview at […]
In this episode, Donna interviewed Hans Kuijt, from LefreQue.com, a Dutch-based company that won the School Band and Orchestra award for innovative technology at the recent NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. The LefreQue sound bridge is an accessory to help all woodwind and brass instrumentalists get better intonation, more core to their sound, and an […]
Matt Otto is one of my favorite saxophone players and teachers. Matt’s approach to the language and creativity is one of the most important voices in the jazz world. His amazing website is a treasure trove of lessons, advice, and wisdom on being the best player you can be. Matt has lived and played all […]
Blues/Funk/Soul Saxophonist, Songwriter and Singer Vanessa Collier has been creating quite a stir in the Blues world, performing in many Blues festivals all over the country, being nominated for Blues and Songwriting Awards and receiving accolades from Blues Blast Magazine, and epic Blues artists such as Buddy Guy and Joe Louis Walker. Vanessa has released […]
Saxophonist, Songwriter and Producer Michael Lington has been topping the Contemporary Jazz charts and winning many awards for over 2 decades with his 11 albums and hundreds of live shows. Soul music really spoke to him at an early age, and Michael’s playing can be described as a mixture of King Curtis and Earl Bostic, […]
This week we welcome one of the top saxophonists in the New York area, Andrew Gould. Andrew is a full time freelance musician doing some very interesting things and loving every minute of it. Andrew has performed with James Moody, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Wallace Roney, Jon Faddis, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Mambo Legends […]
Back when I was in high school, I attended some jazz workshops on Long Island, and I met Andy Farber at a couple of them. We became friends, and even back then I was astounded by the knowledge he had of jazz recordings and artists. Well, our show today will be like a jazz history […]
I have never laughed so much and had so much fun with one of my guests as I did with Theo Wanne. Theo is one of the nicest guys in the saxophone industry and most knowledgeable individuals in the world when it comes to the history, design, and elements that make a great mouthpiece. It […]
Saxophonist, Songwriter/Composer and Vocalist Grace Kelly is on top of the music world as of late. In 2018, she was the Grand Prize winner for the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the Country Music category. She appears regularly in the house band for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert , and was highlighted on screen as […]
Kenyon Carter is a saxophonist, recording artist, and jazz educator who has spent more than twenty five years helping countless people become better musicians. Kenyon has worked with middle school and high school students as a band director and frequent honor band clinician, aspiring saxophonists as a university saxophone and jazz instructor, and other musicians across the globe through his […]
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 […]
Saxophone nerds unite! This week’s episode is really fun and informative when it comes to thinking about the history of the amazing horns we play and some of the gear surrounding the instrument. Derek has made it his mission to be as knowledgeable as possible about vintage and modern saxophones and mouthpieces. Derek is also […]
Steve Neff has been playing and teaching saxophone and jazz improvisation around the New England area for the last 30 years. He is the author of many popular jazz improvisation books as well as founding the popular jazz video lesson site Neffmusic.com that has over 600+ video lessons on it as well as hundreds of sax related […]
This week we caught up with Kris Urbanski for an exciting conversation. Kris is a saxophonist and educator based out of London and has been dazzling audiences around the world with his amazing sound and approach to the instrument for some years now. Kris is really pushing the boundaries of jazz music through his playing […]
Baritone Saxophonist and Jazz Educator, Claire Daly has garnered much praise and recognition during her career. She grew up in Westchester, NY, and then attended Berklee College of Music, where she studied with Joe Viola, one of her main mentors. She is a six time winner of the Down Beat Critics’ Poll “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition” and […]
Pauline Eveno is the Co-Founder and CEO of the Shape Your Own Sound mouthpiece company based out of Paris. We caught up with Pauline to talk about her studies in acoustics and how she came to find herself making mouthpieces for saxophone players all over the world. SYOS has been working closely with some of […]
Mobile since her birth in Singapore, composer, and saxophonist Caroline Davis lives in Brooklyn, New York. Her debut album, Live Work & Play, was featured on All About Jazz’s best releases, and she was named one of JazzTimes’ Best New Artists in 2012. Her second album, Doors: Chicago Storylines, is an audio documentary that uniquely […]
Ted Nash is a multi Grammy winning woodwind artist that has one of the most impressive resumes you could imagine. This week, we had the good fortune of catching up with Ted to talk about many things that go into his storied career. Growing up in Los Angeles, Ted’s father and uncle were both in […]
Originally from Houston, Texas, Jason Whitmore is proud to call San Diego his home. A graduate from the University of Houston with a degree in Saxophone Performance, Jason holds a deep appreciation for live performance spanning all genres of music. Jason has worked as full-time musician, touring and playing saxophone all over North America. Since […]
This week’s episode is one that will open some doors for you. Ben Britton is an important Educator and saxophonist that is going to enlighten you on sound production and overtones. Ben is the author of two fantastic volumes on these two subjects called A Complete Approach to Sound and A Complete Approach to Overtones. […]
Greg Fishman started playing professionally in Chicago at the age of 14. He graduated from DePaul University in Chicago with a degree in Jazz Performance, and earned a Masters Degree in Jazz Pedagogy from Northwestern University. Greg is an expert on the music of Stan Getz, and has authored 3 transcription books of Getz’s material. Greg […]
This week features an amazing saxophonist, composer, educator, and woodwind artist, Geof Bradfield. Geof is an important voice on the Chicago scene where he also teaches at Northern Illinois University. Bradfield hails from Houston and attended the famous High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Since then, Bradfield has called many places home including […]
Louis Van Taylor has performed with Ray Charles, The Gap Band, Michael Bolton, Stevie Wonder Sheila E., Billy Vera and many more, but he is best known for performing with Kool and the Gang. Louis was born in Salt Lake City Utah and later moved to Los Angeles CA, where he attended Foshay Jr. High, […]
This week is a rebroadcast of an interview Nick did a couple of years ago with the great, Donald Harrison. Please enjoy and let us know what you think! Donald Harrison isn’t a new name to most jazz fans and this interview is an enlightening look into the life of a legendary jazz musician. We […]
Perhaps best known as the saxophonist behind the iconic solo from Whitney Houston’s, I Will Always Love You, Kirk Whalum’s passionate playing has been moving audiences all over the world. Shaped by his Memphis Gospel roots, he shaped his tone through work in the Houston nightclubs in the early 80’s. He initially became known as a […]
This week features all-star saxophonist and educator, Julius Tolentino. Julius is the director of jazz at Newark Academy in Livingston, NJ and is also a veteran of the New York music scene having played with many legends such as, Louis Haye’s Cannonball Adderley Legacy Band and the Louis Hayes Quartet, Eric Reed’s Sextet, Jeremy Pelt’s Quintet, […]
Jody Espina is the founder, President and designer of Jody Jazz clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces. Jody has extensive teaching and performing experience, having studied with such masters as Joe Viola, John LaPorte, Joe Allard and Junie Farrell. He performed with such artists as Mel Torme, Eddie Arnold, Lew Soloff, Dave Douglas and many others. He still performs […]
Scott Robinson is a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist that has been making waves in jazz and beyond for quite sometime now. Scott is releasing his brand new album, Tenormore, on April 5th and we caught up this week to talk about this and so much more. Robinson is well known for his playing on the more non-traditional saxophones […]
Roberto’s Winds, at 149 W. 46th St, New York City, is one of the very few music shops left standing today in the world-famous area that used to be known as Music Row. In this episode, Donna chats with Roberto Romeo about: The history of the shop, and the many famous saxophone players that frequent […]
David Halliday is a seriously busy man. Whether it’s playing, teaching, or producing, David really cares about the music and saxophone at the highest level. This week we sat down with David to chat about his career, his time spent studying with the great Joe Henderson and many other points that we know you’ll find […]
Miles Osland has distinguished himself as an educator, recording and performing artist, author, arranger and composer. Currently the Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Saxophone at the University of Kentucky, he has appeared throughout North & South America, Europe and Asia as a guest conductor, performer and clinician for Selmer (France) Saxophones, D’Addario Woodwinds and […]
Jeff Ellwood is an important voice in education and on the tenor saxophone. He is the director of jazz studies at Mt. San Antonio College as well as adjunct faculty at Cal State Fullerton. This week, we caught up with Jeff to talk about his development as a musician, his approach to education, and his […]
Consistently acknowledged as America’s foremost classical saxophonist, Harvey Pittel has popularized the very concept of the saxophone in concert and has elevated his instrument to a new level of appreciation by lovers of fine music. His discography includes twenty-eight recordings of duos, trios, quartets and concertos with orchestra, and he has been featured on soundtracks […]
Ian Hendrickson-Smith is on top of the musical world. He has one of the most diverse and amazing careers out of any musician playing right now. You can catch him on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, playing with the Roots, at a jazz club in New York City, or recording albums for his label, […]
Steve Goodson has been involved in some aspect of the music business on a professional basis since 1963, when he started taking money for playing. Steve retired from active performance in 2003 for reasons of health. But prior to his retirement, he performed with Solomon Burke, Eddie Money, Dr. John, Marcia Ball, Chubby Checker, Vince Vance, and many, […]
Sam Dillon is one of the top call tenor saxophone players on the New York scene. In this episode we caught up with Sam and our chat is both informative and inspiring to anyone looking to know what it takes to make it today as a jazz musician. Sam’s approach to the music and being […]
Steve Goodson has been involved in some aspect of the music business on a professional basis since 1963, when he started taking money for playing. In Steve’s words… “Quite a few members of my family on both sides played professionally, so it was a rather natural thing for me to pursue. I’ve been very fortunate […]
Paul Haar is the creator of the online magazine TheSaxophonist.org and is also an Associate Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Paul is a mover and shaker in the world of saxophone and has some great things to say about teaching, performing, and the industry at large. We […]
Tim Price is a Roberto’s Winds endorsing artist for all their saxophone and clarinet reeds. (Roberto’s Winds is under the direction of the world famous icon, Roberto Romeo.) Tim is a world-class artist, performer and educator worldwide, a Berklee College of Music graduate and one of the country’s foremost woodwind artists. Tim has played with […]
Jack Finucane is the owner of the Boston Sax Shop, a full service horn repair and retail shop in the heart of Boston. Jack is making waves in the saxophone world by creating his own extensive product lines, curating some of the best saxophone products and accessories for sale in his shop, and generally being […]
Encouraged by his parents, Alex Han began playing alto saxophone at the very young age of 8. By age 11, he performed in front of legendary jazz man, Paquito D’ Rivera, and formed a lifelong friendship. A year later, he was performing at major jazz festivals all over the world. At age 17, he won […]
This week we had a great conversation with Marco Pignataro. Marco is the director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute in Boston as well as holding numerous high level positions in jazz festivals, organizations, and institutes across the globe. When you combine that with his amazing ability as a saxophonist, you get the total package! […]
This week we got a chance to speak with the immensely talented young saxophonist, Alex Hahn. Alex is based in Los Angeles and is doing really big things in the music world. He has performed with some of the best musicians in the business during his career including, Hancock, Esperanza Spalding, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, […]
Phil Rovner founded Rovner Products in 1974, when he created the Original Dark ligature. To this day, that ligature is still one of the top sellers in the entire Rovner catalog. Over the years, more Classic models were developed, such as the Light, the Eddie Daniels (the Versa replaced this one), and the Mk III. […]
With his first note on the saxophone, Cleveland native Riley Richard has blazed the contemporary jazz world with his first EP titled “Evolving”. The first single “Family Ties” climbed up the Billboard charts topping out at #18, his next release “Between You & I” charted at #3 while climbing the American Music Chart hitting #1 several times. Riley Richard has […]
This week we caught up with Canadian saxophonist, composer and band leader, Allison Au. Allison is busy taking her quartet all over Canada and the US getting her music into the world and doing a lot to advance this music we call jazz. Allison is a native of Toronto and still makes her home there […]
Daniel Bennett is a saxophonist, woodwind artist, educator, and band leader based out of New York. Daniel has been hailed as one of the most original and unpredictable voices of his generation. Daniel leads his group all over the country on a regular basis, spreading his music to fans of creative music far and wide. […]
Stephen “Doc” Kupka is best known as the foundation of the horn section for Tower of Power, having performed on Baritone Sax with them for 50 years and running. Ever since co-writing “You’re Still a Young Man,” he really has enjoyed songwriting. He wanted to showcase the many songs he has written over the years, so he […]
Multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger, Sylvain Carton has performed with a number of groups in a variety of genres. Born in France, and having lived in various parts of the U.S., Sylvain was exposed to many types of music growing up, in particular Bluegrass, folk and world music. His current endeavors include performing eclectic original music […]