donna schwartz

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, honing her skills at conservatories in Hilversum and Amsterdam. Her dedication led her to further education at the Universität der Künste Berlin, where she graduated with honors in 2003.

Since 1999, Alt has been captivating audiences with her saxophone performances, both as a solo artist and collaborating with DJs in Amsterdam's nightlife. Her venture into production began in 2004 with the release of "Nocturne" on her label, Venus Tunes, marking the start of a prolific career in music production.

In recent years, Alt has expanded her artistic horizons, delving into DJing and live performances characterized by her soulful, deep, and funky sound. Notable endeavors include "Venus Tunes Live," an all-female ensemble blending live instrumentation with DJing, and collaborations with renowned artists across various genres.

We talked about:

• Jam sessions and playing with great musicians

• How to not overplay

• Her career as a DJ and House Music suggestions

• Call and response in performance

• Susanne’s insights into finding your own voice

• Her new album and the influence of Roy Hargrove on her and on jazz music

• And more!

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Support your love to our podcast! 

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

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 their solid silver mouthpiece is very interesting acoustically
• How to get more info on the EMEO mouthpieces

You can find their links on our site.

This episode was proudly sponsored by Rovner Products, creators of fine ligatures for saxophone and clarinet for almost 50 years.

If you perform in Rock, Blues, Marching Band, Military ensembles, and are tired of getting drowned out by all the other instruments, you need to try Rovner’s latest offering, the LGX Ligature. Pure power without losing the quality of your tone. Just go to www.rovnerproducts.com for more info and to purchase.

Want to support the show?

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

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 PP. This innovative combination delivered the rich tones of wood with unmatched consistency through injection molding.

Forestone was the first to utilize natural fibers combined with synthetic materials, pioneering a revolutionary approach to reed manufacturing.

You can catch their full Bio, and the link to their website on our site.

We talked about:

• What makes Forestone Reeds unique
• Different Forestone Reed Models
• Tips for trying Forestone Reeds

This episode was proudly sponsored by Rovner Products, creators of fine ligatures for saxophone and clarinet for almost 50 years.

If you perform in Rock, Blues, Marching Band, Military ensembles, and are tired of getting drowned out by all the other instruments, you need to try Rovner’s latest offering, the LGX Ligature. Pure power without losing the quality of your tone. Just go to www.rovnerproducts.com for more info and to purchase.

Level up your sax experience!

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patron, gaining early access to all all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

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 innovation that left me unable to resist remarking on its exceptional nature!

For over 60 years, Marca has perfected the art of reed-making, blending traditional expertise with modern innovation. With a commitment to quality ingrained in every step of the process, from the careful selection and aging of the finest French cane to the skilled craftsmanship and rigorous testing by renowned professionals, Marca reeds have become the preferred choice of discerning wind musicians globally. Whether for student or professional use, Marca's reeds stand as a testament to excellence, offering unparalleled performance at a competitive price, ensuring that musicians everywhere can experience the unmatched quality crafted by the most exacting hands.

We talked about:

• The new Marca Reeds, Unic model
• How the Unic reeds are produced
• When the reeds will be available

You can catch their Bio, and all of their links on our site.

This episode was proudly sponsored by Rovner Products, creators of fine ligatures for saxophone and clarinet for almost 50 years.

If you perform in Rock, Blues, Marching Band, Military ensembles, and are tired of getting drowned out by all the other instruments, you need to try Rovner's latest offering, the LGX Ligature. Pure power without losing the quality of your tone. Just go to www.rovnerproducts.com for more info and to purchase.

Level up your sax experience!

Experience the thriving energy of The NAMM Show 2024 at its peak, where I seized countless interviews with various saxophone companies, and I'm thrilled to share the exclusive content.

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patreon, gaining early access to all all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

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 was a featured artist with Kenny G with the Orange County Symphony and San Diego Symphony. In a recent appearance, Austin joined Harry Style’s band as part of the horn section headlining Coachella

Austin, a cancer survivor, performs at charity events helping to fight kids’ cancer, having performed for the Starlight Foundation and Rady’s Children’s Hospital.

Austin does additional work in film & theatre composition. He was recognized as the winner of the 2021 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards in the “Musical Theatre Composition” category presented by Tony Award winner, Idina Menzel

Austin is endorsed by JodyJazz and Rovner Products

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

• Performing with Harry Styles at Coachella 2022
• The new adventure Austin has been on since our last episode with him
• Austin's new music coming out soon

This episode was proudly sponsored by Rovner Products, creators of fine ligatures for saxophone and clarinet for almost 50 years.

If you perform in Rock, Blues, Marching Band, Military ensembles, and are tired of getting drowned out by all the other instruments, you need to try Rovner’s latest offering, the LGX Ligature. Pure power without losing the quality of your tone. Just go to www.rovnerproducts.com for more info and to purchase.

Level up your sax experience!

Experience the thriving energy of The NAMM Show 2024 at its peak, where I seized countless interviews with various saxophone companies, and I’m thrilled to share the exclusive content.

Unlock the benefits of becoming a Patreon, gaining early access to all NAMM Show 2024 episodes. Plus Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, searchable transcripts, and an array of bonus content unavailable anywhere else.

Head on over to our Patreon Site and support the show.

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 my conversation with Sandro Massullo. 

We talked about:

🎷 The New Intermediate Saxophone Models, EVO
🎷 New Intermediate EVO Tenor Sax
🎷 New Intermediate EVO Alto Sax

You can catch their Bio, and all of their links on our site.

The new Intermediate EVO Models that were featured in this episode will be COMING SOON. You're getting a First Look at them here!

This episode was proudly sponsored by Rovner Products, creators of fine ligatures for saxophone and clarinet for almost 50 years.

If you perform in Rock, Blues, Marching Band, Military ensembles, and are tired of getting drowned out by all the other instruments, you need to try Rovner's latest offering, the LGX Ligature. Pure power without losing the quality of your tone. Just go to www.rovnerproducts.com for more info and to purchase.

The NAMM Show 2024 was back to its full capacity and better than ever. I was able to capture tons of interviews with many saxophone companies that I am super excited to share.

If you want access to those videos, sign up now by clicking HERE.

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 Disneyland.

In 1999, Gordon founded the Big Phat Band for what he thought would be a single performance at his alma mater Cal State at Northridge. Since then, the Big Phat Band has recorded 10 albums, and in the process received 25 Grammy® nominations. Goodwin won a Grammy® for ‘Best Instrumental Arrangement’ for “Incredits” for the film The Incredibles and has been honored with 3 Emmy awards for his work on the Steven Spielberg-produced shows Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain.

His work has been featured/utilized in more than 80 film & TV productions spanning the gamut of pop culture: amplifying the likes of National Treasure, Star Trek: Nemesis, Snakes on a Plane, Get Smart, Remember the Titans, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, The Majestic (starring Jim Carrey), The Lion King, The Incredibles and Ratatouille.

Gordon has won four Grammy® Awards and three Daytime Emmy Awards and has received twenty-five Grammy® nominations for his compositions and arrangements.

He has been nominated for 3 Grammy awards this year (2024):

• Best Jazz Vocal Album: Patti Austin Featuring Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - For Ella 2.

• Best Instrumental Composition: Quartet San Francisco Featuring Gordon Goodwin's 18-pc Big Phat Band - Cutey and The Dragon.

• Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals: Patti Austin ft. Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - April in Paris

Gordon is also the host of the popular long-running radio program, “Phat Tracks with Gordon Goodwin,” airing for 5 years on KJAZZ

The link to his full biography, along with more resources for this episode is on our website.

We talked about:

• How his 1st piano teacher had him composing music at the age of 5
• The impact of writing music for animated productions on his writing for Big Band
• The advice about orchestration that changed his approach forever
• Phil Woods’ impression of Gordon’s saxophone playing
• Gordon’s advice for self-taught musicians
• The one word multi-instrumentalist James Morrison taught him not to use
• Working at Disney with Eric Marienthal and Sal Lovano
• The pure genius of Patti Austin that contributed to the most recent Grammy nominations
• Podcast supporter questions answered!
• And more!

Wanna support the show?

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

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 15th Annual International Critics Poll, been nominated in 2023 for the SOPRANO SAXOPHONIST OF THE YEAR by the Jazz Journalist Awards.

In addition to his solo work, Sam also performs in his own Trio and Quartet, as well as the Chaos Theory Unit Saxophone Quartet.

His latest recordings include Soprano-Logues, a digital-only recording with Dave Liebman, and Cosmic Unconsciousness Unplugged, a duet with pianist Jean Michel Pilc.

You will find Sam's links and full resources on our website. 

In this episode, we listen to, and talk extensively about that recording, along with:

• Why Sam thinks every musician is an improviser
• Embracing simplicity and clarity in improvisation
• The importance of surrendering to the moment and not having expectations
• How playing live and recording in the studio have different energy and mindset requirements
• The challenges and rewards of playing solo, including adaptability and maintaining flow
• Exploring fiction writing during the COVID-19 pandemic and Sam’s future plans
• And much more!

Pave the way for a richer saxophone experience!

Become a Patron now to enjoy early releases of Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, exclusive searchable transcripts, and a wealth of bonus content. Uncover the hidden gems others won’t see – join us on Patreon today!

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 Suite for Bird for the Music Institute of Chicago, Crescent City for JALC, and Benny: Then, Now, Forever for the Louis Armstrong Foundation.

Goines has been a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra since 1993, as part of the saxophone section, in addition to being featured on the clarinet.  

He served as the Director of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University and was the Artistic Director of the Jazz Studies Program at the Juilliard School.  

He has recorded and performed with Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Dizzy Gillespie, Dianne Reeves, Willie Nelson, Shirley Horn, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, and a host of other renowned musicians and ensembles. 

Goines composed the Woodlawn Suite in recognition of celebrating the legendary jazz artists buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. 

For the audio portion of the podcast, songs featured were Raise a Glass to Dorothy and Madam CJ Walker, both featured on Victor’s latest CD, The Woodlawn Suite.

The link to his full biography, along with the resources for this episode, is on our website. 

Our sponsor for this episode is Rovner Products, makers of fine ligatures for over 50 years.

The new Deep V Series of mouthpieces for alto and tenor saxophones, redefines tone quality by enhancing the player’s clarity and presence.

We provide the tone, you provide the character.

We talked about:

• The importance of active listening and finding something new in the music each time.

• The significance of communication and listening in improvisation, comparing it to having a conversation.

• Victor's journey in jazz, starting in New Orleans and eventually moving to New York to pursue his musical career.

• The impact of studying with Ellis Marsalis on Victor's development as a musician.

• The importance of continuous learning and striving to improve skills as a composer and musician.
  
  
• And so much more!

Show Your Love For Our Podcast

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to Patreon website to get access now!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed New Orleans Saxophonist, Jason Mingledorff, for Episode 190.  

We spoke about:

• What made Jason want to pursue improvised music

• How he met Sax Gordon
• How Jason taught himself how to listen
• A Blues tune that’s a masterclass in Blues soloing
• Why we transcribe and how to do it
• Jason’s resource for learning tunes & a tip from Jason to appreciate Standards
• What defines New Orleans saxophone style
• Jason’s new album, Start It & the fun mashup he created
• And Much More!

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 performed with Clint Black, Dr. John, Harry Connick, Jr., Papa Grows Funk, Galactic, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, The New Mastersounds, The O’Jays and many others.

He won a Grammy award with the band, the New Orleans Nightcrawlers in 2021.

Jason started teaching at Loyola University in 2006. 

In 2012 he wrote a series of articles on New Orleans grooves for the Saxophone Journal, and currently he runs Loyola’s saxophone department and is finishing up an innovative book aimed at big band directors called Warm-Ups for YOUR Big Band. 

He has appeared on over 100 recordings, and has now released an album of his own music entitled, Start It!

It features nine original compositions performed by a top-notch band of seasoned veterans – Brian Seeger on guitar, Joe Ashlar on piano, Ed Wise on bass, and Doug Garrison on drums.

You can find Jason’s full Bio on his site. The link is on our website, saxophonepodcast.com. 

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsor

Our sponsor for this podcast is Rovner Products, makers of fine ligatures for over 50 years. The new Deep V Series of mouthpieces for alto and tenor saxophones, redefines tone quality by enhancing the player’s clarity and presence. 

Want to support the show?

Patrons get early access to all Everything Saxophone Podcast videos, plus searchable transcripts and lots of Bonus content not seen anywhere else. Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone to get access now!

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 over 1,700 albums, and over 10,000 singles, having performed with such legends as Randy and Michael Brecker,  Gloria Estefan, Arturo Sandoval, Frank Sinatra, Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Tito Puente, Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, and numerous others.

Dr. Ed Calle is a Latin Grammy® Award winner for Best Instrumental Album (2015) with Dr. Ed Calle Presents Mamblue,and is also a five-time Grammy® nominee.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

Our Sponsor:

Victory Musical Instruments, the maker of The Growling Sax brand, is one of the fastest-growing instrument brands in the industry.

They supply great quality instruments for beginners to advanced players and have been awarded the prestigious ‘Music Inc. Magazine Editor’s Choice Award’ for three consecutive years at the NAMM Show.

If you’re looking for great quality instruments, make sure to visit their website at www.victorymusical.com.

In this episode:

• Ed shared his personal stories about Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, John Coltrane, working with The Bee Gees and Barbra Streisand, to name a few

• He gave tips for tone and breathing that have helped him recover from an injury sustained from overblowing

• Advice for all sax players on dealing with performing loud music

• His mic recommendations, and the new mic he is raving about 

• How long it takes for material we’ve worked on to show up in our playing

• His impressions about the new Growling Sax Uprise model for Soprano Sax

• How JodyJazz mouthpieces helped Ed be able to maintain his high performance level even with his injury

• Ed’s views on practicing

• And a ton more!

You're gonna LOVE this episode!

We hope you get so much value that you will want to support the show and become a Patron.

For as little as $2/month, you can keep the epic episodes coming.

Just go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

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.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

All the NAMM Show 2023 episodes are sponsored by Rovner Products.

We talked about:

• the new Eco Reed, and how Bari is doing its part in saving the planet
• Ron gave a great description of all the other reeds Bari makes
• Bari's line of mouthpieces
• a demo by saxophonist, Phil French

Support the show and get early access to all NAMM Show 2023 episodes!

Plus Bonus episodes and searchable transcripts.

Go to www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone for details

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 Hubbard, Charlie Haden, Betty Carter, Cedar Walton, Ron Carter, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Stanley Turrentine and Ben E. King.

Part of a new generation of musicians that blends tradition with neo-jazz, Jackson’s own bands features straight ahead jazz, hard bop, soul and funk.

His recording, The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni, has been nominated for a 54th NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Jazz Album –Instrumental.

Jackson is currently Chair of the University of Hartford’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz Studies since 2013.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

This episode was proudly sponsored by Legere Reeds, www.legere.com.

We talked about:

🎷How visualization helped Javon perform with his hero, Art Blakey

🎷Javon’s recipe for success ( in any field)

🎷Advice for making faster progress

🎷Best thing to help confidence

🎷Advice for amateur jazz musicians

🎷 and much more!

Javon shared some mind-blowing Bonus content about achieving Success for our Patreon supporters.

Want access to this plus tons more Bonus Content?

Click HERE to get in on the action!

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 Sanborn and Kirk Whalum, to name a few.

Marcus says on one account,” I became truly inspired by a phone call from the late saxophonist, George Howard, a conversation I’ll never forget.”

Surprisingly, Marcus would find himself with Rebbie Jackson (sister of Jacksons; Janet Jackson) during her show in Las Vegas. He knew his life was being routed towards a musical journey.

During Marcus’s musical journey, he has received encouragement from famed percussionist, Sheila E. and fellow saxophonists: Nelson Rangell, Najee, his sax mentors: Joe Yorio (Toured with Peabo Bryson), Mel Holder (Grammy & Stellar Award Nominee).

In 2019, Marcus won the AMG’s Instrumentalist of the Year Award.

Also, he has released music singles that have climbed the charts.

Notably, his single, “Brand New Day”, was produced by International Recording Artist, Jonathan Fritzen. It debuted #1 for the most spins (1st week in rotation) for Billboard Smooth Jazz radio stations.

Also, “Together We Stand” charted on SmoothJazz.com Top 50 list and is currently spinning on Sirius XM Radio’s Watercolors and the Music Choice Network.

Marcus is set to release his new self-titled CD “Brand New Day”, this coming Q1, 2023. Some notable Artists, Musicians and Producers include: Mel Holder (multi-talented Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Award-nominated artist, composer, arranger, saxophonist, author and pastor), Roger Ryan (Multi-Grammy, GMA Dove nominated, Juno Award-winning Producer, musician, composer & songwriter), William Green (musician, composer, songwriter and producer), Ben Parris (Grammy “Emerging Artist” Award-winner, multi-instrumentalist & producer), Madoca Kawahara (national recording artist, keyboardist & composer), Jonathan Fritzen (contemporary jazz pianist, multi-instrumentalist & producer), Bob Baldwin (contemporary jazz pianist, music composer, author, inventor, radio host and creator of the NewUrbanJazz.com Lounge, and music producer) and Alissia Benveniste (A self-proclaimed funk revivalist, Bassist, multi-instrumentalist & producer)

A little about “Brand New Day”….this compilation of music is about a brief summary of Marcus’s life. It begins with his journey as a young adult to his transformation into a renewed, inspired man, father and musician, which can be noticed and heard by the titles of his songs.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:

🎷How tips from Nelson Rangell, Najee and Mike Phillips changed his playing

🎷His pro football path, his service in the US Navy, and how he transitioned into a music career

🎷How he met and stayed with The Jackson Family 

🎷Taking your saxophone playing to that next level

🎷 and much more!

Lots of Bonus Content for our Patreon supporters!

Get access to this and more from many of our other guests, plus searchable transcripts from many of the episodes and more by CLICKING HERE.

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 with musicians of many styles and genres, including members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the LA Opera Orchestra and some of the finest sessions musicians in Los Angeles.

Bill is also an NCCA Certified Health Coach and is certified as a functional fineness specialist, and as a corrective exercise specialist. Helping musicians of all ability levels function better, feel better and perform better is his passion.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

This podcast is sponsored by Rovner Products www.rovnerproducts.com

We spoke about:

🎷 What is the Alexander Technique

🎷 The biggest misinformation out there about articulation 

🎷 The biggest obstacle all musicians face

🎷 How you should pay attention to what you’re doing when you play

🎷 What embouchure dystonia is and what to do about it

🎷 and much more!

We are so grateful to our Patrons, who support the show and help keep the podcast going.

In this Part 2 episode with Bill, Patrons get access to this Bonus Material

• how arthritis affects functionality – how we can function with it
• the anatomy of our thumbs and how we get tendonopathy in the thumbs
• how we should hold our thumbs
• the purpose of the right thumb hook
• all the things saxophonists do that make it harder to play

CLICK HERE for access to this, plus tons of Bonus Content not seen anywhere else.

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 Times, the Los Angeles Times, Cadence and the New York Times.

He is the composer of 10 ebooks on jazz improvisation pedagogy, and teaches the Alexander Technique at the AMDA Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles.

Bill lives in South Pasadena, California with his wife and daughter.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

This podcast is sponsored by Rovner Products

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 The Bartok-Monk connection

🎷 The biggest sound he've ever heard on flute

🎷 Two types of improvisation

🎷 How Bill approaches learning a new standard

🎷 Why Chris Potter amazes him

🎷 Playing for enjoyment vs being technical

🎷 and much more!

Patrons that support the podcast are getting bonus material on behind-the-scenes conversations, searchable transcript of this video, tons of bonus videos from our previous guests, and so much more!

CLICK HERE for access to this, plus tons of Bonus Content not seen anywhere else.

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 music retail, Ryan served as a Music Education Representative for many years, assisting instrumental music teachers throughout the state of Utah.

Along with his work in music retail, Ryan has performed in many musical venues as a woodwind doubler, taught private woodwind lessons, and taught clinics across the country.

Ryan joined Eastman in 2011 as a Sales Manager and has had the privilege to serve as the Sales Manager for 30 states in the U.S. He also filled the roles of Wind Product Manager and Director of Wind Product Development before being appointed Vice President of the company in 2016.

As Vice President, Ryan oversees many aspects of business including sales management and product development for Eastman and the other brands in the Eastman family.

Ryan resides in Utah with his wife Rochelle, who is the Director of Bands at Kaysville Jr High, and their three daughters Emma (Flute), Hannah (Clarinet), and Stella (Bassoon).

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

SPONSOR:

Rovner Products: www.rovnerproducts.com

We talked about:

🎷 How the Eastman Music company evolved

🎷 The difference between lacquered vs unlacquered

🎷 One important part of the saxophone that’s often overlooked

🎷 Differences between Rue St George & 52nd St

🎷 The influence of Bob Mintzer in the making of the new 52nd Street model

🎷 Three attributes that are very important for any brass-bodied instrument

🎷 and much more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts?

All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our Patreon site: https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

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.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

This episode was sponsored by:

OnKey App – links to OnKey on the App Store and Google Play: https://linkmix.co/11048548

Rovner Products

We talked about:

🎷A quote that’s driven Michael’s career to new levels of success

🎷How he’s dealt with chronic asthma

🎷Why fitness is so important

🎷How Moon Hooch got started and how they came up with the name

🎷Michael’s ideal practice routine

🎷Collaborating with Leo P 

🎷 and much more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts?

All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our Patreon site: https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

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 appearances.

He has presented recitals in such prestigious concert halls as Vienna’s Bösendorfer Concert Hall, the Royal Palace in Warsaw, Poland, and New York’s Lincoln Center’s Bruno Walter Hall.

He has presented master classes at Austria’s Musik Hochschule, the Cairo Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, and the Tanglewood Institute and has served as Orchestral saxophonist for the leading opera orchestras of Warsaw, Berlin, Paris, and Cleveland.

Banaszak was the first saxophone concerto soloist to appear with orchestras in India, the Middle East and Korea, including performances with the Symphony Orchestra India, the Cairo Symphony and the Taegu City Symphony.

Banaszak’s critically acclaimed CDs, “The Music of Alan Hovhaness” “Duo Concertos for Alto Saxophone, Flute, and Orchestra”, “Romances for Saxophone and Orchestra” and “Saxophone Concertos”, are available on the Naxos and Centaur Records label.

Banaszak recently recorded “I’ll Remember April…Bird with Strings Revisited”, a CD of the renowned recording of Charlie Parker with Orchestra.

He serves on the faculties of the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Case Western Reserve University.

He is a Vandoren Performing Artist, Selmer Saxophone clinician, a Rovner Products and DeJacques consultant.

He has performed as a saxophonist for the Cleveland Orchestra.

He studied with such prominent masters as Vincent Abato and jazz legend Jackie McLean.

Banaszak’s former students currently hold positions as both highly acclaimed performers and educators throughout the United States and abroad.

In 2021, Banaszak was recently honored with the “Distinguished Alumni of the Year” award from the Hartt School of Music /University of Hartford.

Banaszak takes great pride in educating the future generation of world-class saxophonists and young artists.

Hailed as a Saxophonist “Tour de Force” by the New York Times, Mr. Banaszak continues to perform worldwide.

The background music for the podcast was Greg performing Laura from the  “Bird with Strings” performance with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and Maestro Carl Topilow, Conductor, Live at Severance Hall, on February 9, 2007.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

We talked about:
🎷 The Charlie Parker Know the Legends Project & some incredible stories most people do not know
🎷 How Greg did the research for this monumental project   
🎷 How Art Tatum influenced Charlie Parker’s approach to playing
🎷 Great stories about Former President Bill Clinton, Jackie MacLean and others 
🎷 Greg’s own practicing routine, and how he keeps his jazz and classical chops in shape
🎷 And MUCH more!

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, as well as Bonus videos and searchable transcripts?

All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our Patreon site: https://www.patreon.com/everythingsaxophone

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.

Chateau Musical Instruments was founded in 1979, making quality saxophones, and since 2001 also making woodwind and brass instruments.

We dove deep into many of the saxophone models in this episode.

Chateau Saxophones come in the student model Series 22, all the way up to Series 90 and 96 top of the line models.

We also talked about the history of the Chateau company, and Robert’s thoughts on saxophone tone and intonation.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

If you want to keep the great interviews coming…

Did you know you can get a complete listing of all our shows, Bonus videos and searchable transcripts, and get access to the episodes earlier than everyone else? All you need to do is become a Patron!

Patrons play a huge role in helping to defray the costs of storing each episode’s video and audio, and producing and hosting the show.

And, with their small monthly donation of $2 or more, they help keep the great interviews coming. If you want to become a patron and support the show, head on over to our PATREON site.