Photo credit: Randee St. Nichols Joe Zawinul and Wayne Shorter both made names for themselves playing with some of the top jazz artists of their time; Maynard Ferguson, Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Art Blakey, and many others. They met each other for the first time in 1959 while playing with Maynard Ferguson. Years later Weather … Continue reading Weather Report
I am still enjoying myself for the most part. I say that because I am still having some back pain which sometimes makes it difficult to handle the weight of the saxophone. Anyway, this is another tune I'm relearning. It is called All The Things You Are, written by Jerome Kern. It originally appeared in … Continue reading All The Things You Are
Lullaby of Birdland For this comparison video, you have to put up with my playing. Sorry. I am most satisfied with the alto sax mouthpiece by Vandoren. I purchased the V16 A9, a small chamber mouthpiece. I think it gives me a wide-open, big sound on alto. It sounds pure and clean and perfect for … Continue reading Mouthpiece Comparisons
I was still in high school when I first heard of Dexter Gordon. After school, our high school band director was teaching improvisation to those of us who were interested. Most times we were using Jamey Aebersold recordings to practice. Other times we were listening to jazz records. One of those records was by Dexter … Continue reading Dexter Gordon
Sonny Rollins - The Bridge The Bridge, 1962, was the first release of jazz giant Sonny Rollins following his unexpected early retirement in 1959 and his first recording for Bluebird/RCA Victor. The saxophonist was joined by the musicians with whom he would record for the next segment of his career: Jim Hall on guitar, Bob … Continue reading Sonny Rollins
You may have seen my unboxing video. I got a new Alto Saxophone. It is an Allora Paris Series, just like the Tenor Sax I bought last summer. I am pleased to say that both of these saxophones have proven to be good solid instruments capable of being used by any professional. It may not … Continue reading So I Got This New Sax
https://www.sisuguard.com Saxophone players and maybe clarinet players sometimes have an issue with ruining mouthpieces, by cutting through the top, as the teeth place pressure on the top. As you play the instrument the teeth are scratching, grinding, and cutting their way into the mouthpiece. In some cases causing enough damage to have to replace the … Continue reading SISU Mouthpiece Guard?
My new alto sax I finally got it; a new Allora Paris Series Alto Sax. I liked the tenor so much I thought I would try the alto sax from Allora as well. I'm not used to it yet. So, I don't sound that great in this video, but I will. I have always played … Continue reading Allora Paris Series Alto Sax
Still getting more familiar with Stella By Starlight. I have the chord progression memorized but, as you can hear in this recording, I am still unsure, or at least I feel unsure about what I'm doing. You will hear some places where I stumble. And if you are jazz player you will hear some place … Continue reading Learning Stella
I have been learning Stella By Starlight. Been practicing the tune for about a week. I have the head (melody) memorized, and close to having the chord progression memorized. As far as chords though, I like to think more in terms of key transitions. That way I can divide the tune into sections and work … Continue reading Stella by Starlight
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