News, Reviews, and Interviews For The Saxophone Community
Having been nominated as Rising Star Alto Saxophone by Downbeat Magazine for 9 years in a row, Sharel Cassity is making a name for herself in the Jazz world.
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John Mackey is a MD and biomedical researcher, a passionate jazz musician, and lead alto sax player in the River City Big Band in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Adam Larson is quickly becoming one of the most recognized names in the jazz world. Adam hails from Normal, IL and now lives, teaches, and performs in the New York City area. Adam has four albums as a leader and his latest album, Second City, received a four star rating in Downbeat and was listed as one of the best recordings of 2017. Adam is endorsed by P. Mauriat Saxophones and Vandoren.
His prowess on the saxophone and his work in education have impacted listeners and students from across the world. Adam is doing big things both on the playing side and he is getting ready to release his first etude book called Leaps and Sounds at the end of the month.Continue Reading …
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Sean Murphy is a classical saxophonist, educator, and publisher that has a lot to share and we think you’ll find this interview packed with useful information!
Sean is currently a candidate for a DMA from the University of North Texas. We used this interview as an opportunity to talk about the process of receiving a terminal degree in music and what that does for your chances of teaching in higher education after completing your degree. Sean has insight intoContinue Reading …
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Vocalist, saxophonist and songwriter/arranger, Bobby Hurricane Spencer lifts the spirits and moves the body with his deep soulful and funky blues.
Recently named by Elmore Magazine as one of the top six killer artists you need to hear right now, Bobby started his musical career in Oakland but now calls Los Angeles home.
He cut his teeth in the Chitlin’ Circuit of the Bay Area, anchored dead center in the horn section of the funk bands of Johnny Tolbert andContinue Reading …
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Cory Weeds is a saxophonist, label owner, and one of Canada’s hardest working musicians. He studied saxophone at North Texas and has been making waves in the music industry ever since. He has performed with the likes of Mike Ledonne, Christian McBride, Joe Farnsworth, Peter Bernstein, and Joey DeFrancesco. He was was the owner of the now defunct, Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver. There, he made it a point to feature the unsung heroes of the jazz world and has produced many great recordings from this space.
Cory is also employed full time by Coastal Jazz & Blues where he serves as programming manager for clubs and festivals.
Weeds is someone who does it all and we can all learn a lot about making a living as a musician from him. In this day and age where we all need to be multi faceted just to make it in this business, Weeds is a shining example of someone who is on top of the music world and an inspiration to so many of us.
In this episode we discuss:
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Darren Rahn is a Canadian-born, Denver-based saxophonist, mixing engineer and producer with over 25 #1 singles, multiple Grammy nominations over the past 11 years.Podcast: Play in new window | Download
John Ellis is one of the most in demand saxophone and woodwind players in the world today. In 1992, John Ellis moved to New Orleans to study with the legendary Marsalis family, thus beginning his New Orleans connection. Around 1996 Ellis moved to New York and has been there ever since while keeping his NOLA connections and inspirations intact. Ellis keeps an impossibly busy schedule putting out a prolific catalogue of his own music while keeping extremely busy recording and playing with countless other bands and projects. Continue Reading …
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Jim Snidero is both a legendary saxophonist and educator of the highest caliber. Growing up in Camp Springs, Maryland, Snidero took to music and the saxophone at a young age. After attending the University of North Texas, he made his move to New York and has been a fixture on the scene ever since. After arriving in New York, Snidero gained notoriety by joining the band of the legendary organist, Brother Jack McDuff. Snidero has since recorded with many jazz luminaries as well as becoming a prolific leader himself.
Snidero is also an accomplished author and educator. His Jazz Conception series is perhaps one of the most widespread and important educational materials in the world today. He also is a featured clinician with the Selmer company and teaches at Jamey Aebersold’s summer jazz campls year in and year out. Continue Reading …
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Jamey Aebersold was born July 21, 1939, in New Albany, Indiana. He attended college at Indiana University and graduated in 1962 with a Masters Degree in Saxophone. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by Indiana University in 1992. He also plays piano, bass and banjo.
In 1989, the International Association of Jazz Educators inducted Jamey into their Hall of Fame at the San Diego convention. With this award, Jamey joins other jazz luminaries such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong and others.
Jamey is a internationally-known saxophonist and authority on jazz education and improvisation, and has developed a series of Play-A-Longs (book and cd sets (now numbering almost 130 volumes) as well as various other supplemental aids for the development of improvisational skills. The Aebersold book and recording sets allow a musician the opportunity to practice and improvise with well-known jazz personalities at home as well as in the classroom. The recordings employ some of the best jazz musicians in the world. This concept has been responsible for changing the practice habits of thousands of musicians around the world.
Jamey was one of the first to encourage small group classes which concentrate on jazz improvisation, and he is the director of the Summer Jazz Workshops which now have 40+ years on record. Jamey feels that improvisation is something all people can do—and his clinics and lectures concentrate on demonstrating how the creative and spontaneous nature of each person can be brought to light.
Jamey’s jazz quartet plays numerous school concerts throughout the year which show young people how exciting playing jazz can be and they also explain the benefits of making healthy choices in their daily lives. The quartet stresses not smoking and drinking.
These week-long Summer Jazz Workshops are having a profound effect on musical communities around the world. The Workshops have traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, England, Scotland, Denmark and Canada. Every summer there are at least two week-long Workshops in the U.S. These camps employ many of the finest player/teachers in jazz and are open to any serious jazz student regardless of ability or age.
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