Saxophones

Jazz Saxophone Etudes, Volume 2 – Reviewed

1946 days

by Ed Svoboda in Reviews, Saxophones

A review of “Jazz Saxophone Etudes, Volume 2″ by Greg Fishman can now be found in the Reviews Section.

Bass Sax Blues

1986 days

by Ed Svoboda in Saxophones

Thought I had a great lead on a bass sax for a good price. No such luck. Still hunting for that killer deal.

Greatest Alto Players

1990 days

by Ed Svoboda in Saxophones

In no particular order:

Siguard Rascher – Top tones!
Marcel Mule – The French School
Cannonball Adderley – Amazing tone, technique, and feel
Paul Desmond – Could you be more lyrical on the alto?
Phil Woods – The complete post bop package. Beautiful tone and lyricism on ballads.
Johnny Hodges – There’s only one Johnny Hodges!
Benny Carter – Such great sensitivity in all that he played.
Kenny Garrett – The best of the “young” guys. Unique tone and wonderful technique. Really interesting sense of harmonics and scales.
Greg Osby – Pushes the envelope of jazz/fusion/funk and everything else
Steve Coleman – One of the coolest senses of harmonics and scales around.

Low B flat or Low A Bari?

2017 days

by Ed Svoboda in Saxophones

I own a couple of JK stencil B flats and generally play the JK’s instead of the Beugnier stencil low A that I have. I think I prefer the tone of the JK’s and the action is a lot more friendly. It’s rare that I need a low A so it hasn’t really been an issue. Like most players I’d love to have a nice modern low A but the price of baritones has gone through the roof in the last few years.

2003 Alto Setup

2193 days

by Ed Svoboda in Saxophones

Prior to early 2004 I was an alto player. After that time I started to play tenor most of the time. Here’s a peek into what I was playing in 2003:

Alto:
63 Buescher 400
55 Buescher Aristocrat 141
Vandoren V16 A5 mouthpiece – Most Playing
Selmer S80 C* mouthpiece – Classical or Ensemble
vintage Martin mouthpiece – Classical
Bonade lig (backups are Harrison and Vandoren Masters)
I am using Rico Jazz Selects in 2 1/2 and Alexanders in 2 1/2 for most of my playing. I prefer a bright reed.
I use Hemke 2 1/2 for classical or when I want a darker tone.

May 2007 alto setup:

1960 Selmer Mark VI – Chicago Mouthpieces R Series Prototype or vintage Selmer Short Shank Soloist – Fibracell Reeds
1952 Buescher Aristocrat 140 – Chicago Mouthpieces R Series Prototype or Chicago Mouthpieces SJ – Fibracell Reeds

I inherited my VI and bought the Buescher after working with the 400 and 141 a bit and finding that they were too bright for the sound I wanted. I prefer a full tone with less higher partials.

Sonny Rollins – Nine Birthday Videos

2451 days

by Ed Svoboda in Saxophones

Sonny Rollins had his 76th birthday yesterday and gave his fans a present by releasing nine videos from throughout his career. They’ll be up for a few more days so enjoy them while you can. Sonny Rollins Birthday Videos

Afternoon Listening

2452 days

by Ed Svoboda in Recordings, Saxophones

Listening to some Sonny Rollins today. Right now I have Brass/Trio from 1958. Interesting record. Interesting playing. Sonny Rollins is one of those players who has changed a lot through the years. Most people know the story behind “The Bridge”. This was recorded a year before he took his break. Brass/Trio shows Rollins in great shape and you can see hints of where he was headed. Overall a great album and check out the supporting cast – a bunch of great players.

Sonny Rollins – Brass/Trio

Personnel
Sonny Rollins – Tenor Saxophone
Nat Adderley – Cornet
Clark Terry – Trumpet
Reunald Jones – Trumpet
Ernie Royal – Trumpet
Billy Byers – Trombone
Jimmy Cleveland – Trombone
Frank Rehak – Trombone
Dick Katz – Piano
Rene Thomas – Guitar
Roy Haynes – Drums
Henry Grimes – Bass
Ernie Wilkins – Arranger, Conductor
Don Butterfield – Tuba