We are very excited to bring you this week’s episode featuring the great, Jeff Kashiwa. Jeff had so many important things to say about saxophone and life as a musician. We are sure you’re going to get a ton of actionable advice on this episode. Enjoy!
Seattle native, Jeff Kashiwa knew he was destined to be a musician following his junior high introduction to woodwinds. His instincts were correct. He became known as one of the most compelling young saxophonists in contemporary jazz during his first year with The Rippingtons. Kashiwa performed hundreds of shows all over the world and appeared on many of the band’s classic recordings.
Having established himself in the 1990’s as one of the most diverse sax men in contemporary jazz during his decade long tenure with The Rippingtons, Kashiwa’s instincts led him to more dynamic endeavors through his solo career. It surprised many when Jeff left the group to venture out on his own, but he had things to say through his own music. Kashiwa now has nine CDs released under his own name and has continued to record as a guest artist with many other artists as well. In 2004, Kashiwa founded The Sax Pack, a trio of saxophone headliners, featuring himself, Steve Cole and Kim Waters. The group released two CDs together and charmed audiences with their Rat Pack style reparte’ in tours across the U.S. and abroad.
In 2006, Jeff reunited with The Rippingtons for their 20th Anniversary Tour and continues to record and tour with the group as often as his busy schedule will allow. In addition to touring with The Sax Pack and his own group, Kashiwa has expanded his career to include the realm of music education, teaching various courses through the music program at Shoreline Community College in Seattle.
His recent CD, Let It Ride, features a host of great musicians in the world of Contemporary Jazz; Russ Freeman, David Benoit, Chuck Loeb and Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra. Let It Ride has been in the top 4 Best Sellers in Smooth Jazz on Amazon.com for the past few weeks.
– – – – – – –
In this episode, you will hear Jeff talk about:
– how to develop your own jazz vocabulary
– how to find your own voice on your instrument
– how Michael Brecker influenced his decision to play EWI
– how Jeff approaches practicing and the advice he gives his students
– how he’s dealt with performance anxiety, and a hysterical story that features a cameo by Michael Brecker
Jeff’s Links:
Check out the video interview of this episode (and please share 😊)
Want to show your love and support for the show?
Become a patron at www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone, and for as little as $2/month, you get access to behind-the-scenes content, searchable transcripts of the latest shows and more!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Great interview, Donna! You asked some really insightful questions that weren’t the typical “what mouthpiece do you use?” and got into some really thought-provoking, philosophical and instructional areas. Really enjoyed it. Also found out half-way through that there’s a VIDEO version of this (which was plainly at the bottom of the email that this podcast was available, but I’d overlooked), so I watched the last half of the interview.
Looking forward the next of these podcasts!
Thanks Warrick! Really glad you enjoyed it. Jeff shared a lot of wisdom in this one 👍
Jeff is one of my sax heros. I love his mental approach and how he talked about thinking Brecker was in the audience and how he let that in his head. His take on your body being part of the instrument was spot on when he talked about how your whole body should be relaxed except your diaphragm. This hit home with me because I’m still carrying a lot of tension in my embouchure. Good episode! You guys are doing good work.
Yes – he has great insights into playing and life in general. So glad you got something out of it, Robert!