everything saxophone podcast

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

Our special guest for this episode is Paul Winter, best known for his environmental work, and his concerts with the Paul Winter Consort.

From the early days of Paul Winter’s college jazz sextet, which toured 23 countries of Latin America for the State Department and performed the first-ever jazz concert at the White House for the Kennedys in 1962, to his later ensemble, the Paul Winter Consort, his concert tours and recording expeditions have taken him to 52 countries and to wilderness areas on six continents, where he has traveled on rafts, dog sleds, mules, kayaks, tug-boats and Land Rovers. He has recorded over 50 albums, of which seven have been honored with Grammy Awards.

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

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 Jimmy Heath’s influence on Paul

🎷 Whale sounds and Charlie Parker; what they have in common

🎷 What it was like attending Duke Ellington’s funeral

🎷How he got involved with 'Winter Solstice'

🎷How adventures in SoundPlay started

🎷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

In this episode from the NAMM Show in June, Donna Schwartz spoke with musician and the founder of Victory Musical Instruments, parent company of The Growling Sax, Melvin Quinones.

Melvin Quinones is a Hispanic American entrepreneur, engineer, musician and the founder of Victory Musical Instruments, parent company of The Growling Sax.

With over 30+ years of professional music experience combined with 20 years of engineering background, he integrated many of the technologies and processes that have made the pioneers of the music industry successful with new technology, improved materials and ergonomics.

Melvin has over 30 years of experience as a saxophonist, keyboardist and record producer. Some of his relevant work includes 248th Army Band, Thalia, Tiziano Ferro, Frankie J, MDO, Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Objetivo Fama & Miss Universe 2005 among many others.

He also ran the My Sax Talk social network for 10 years.

He is also the founder of Dance like David LLC, a faith-focused foundation created to provide musician instruments and educational resources to communities with low financial resources.

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

We talked about:

🎷 History of Victory Musical Instruments & Melvin’s background

🎷 How the name Growling Sax was created

🎷 How the Growling Saxes are different than other brands 

🎷 How his background in engineering & moderating Sax Talk influenced the Growling Sax

🎷 Differences between Sterling Silver necks and other finishes 

🎷 And MUCH more!

If you want the searchable transcript for this episode, plus TONS of other bonus content from many of our 149 episodes, head on over to our PATREON SITE.

Not only will you be getting awesome content, but you will be helping support the show!

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.

Rovner Products started as primarily a ligature company, but over the years has expanded into mouthpieces and elegant saxophone stands.

With the Rovner Deep-V Mouthpiece Collection, there are 2 offerings: the Avatar and the Aviva.

Through extensive mouthpiece innovation, these pieces look and play like nothing you’ve seen before, with the main focus being on “presence”.

As their motto says, you supply the character, we supply the core!

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

At the NAMM Show 2022, we talked about:

• The innovative Deep-V Collection of mouthpieces
• What makes the Avatar and Aviva mouthpieces so unique
• Two important qualities to look for in mouthpieces
• How the Clearly Elegant Sax Stands feature your saxes in a small space
• and more! 

If you want to keep the great interviews coming…

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.

Danielle Walker has been playing saxophones since age 11.

She performed in all ensembles offered at her school, and at age 16, was the youngest and only female member of the group, The Jekyll Island Big Band.

In 1998, as a sophomore at Brevard College, she was featured on the baritone sax with that college’s Summer Jazz Workshop Faculty Band. The band was featured on National Public Radio, hosted by Branford Marsalis.

In September 2004, she joined the cast of the Historic Savannah Theater in Savannah, GA, and has performed 4000 shows over the years.

Danielle has performed on all saxophones, plus other woodwinds, percussion, and has also acted in major roles on stage.

Danielle is endorsed by Legere Reeds, Rovner Products and Sax Dakota.

She has been working with Jody Espina, Founder of JodyJazz Mouthpieces since 2013.

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

We talked about:

🎷How Danielle met Jody Espina

🎷Features of the JodyJazz SuperJet mouthpiece

🎷Her approach to playing Legere Reeds & when to change reeds

🎷Life as a musician in the pit 

🎷How she avoids burnout 

🎷Her approach on playing popular recorded solos

🎷The mouthpiece switch that no one expected during COVID

🎷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!

In our 6th interview from the NAMM Show 2022, Donna interviewed Joel Pekin and Bob Sheppard, from Retro Revival.

The Retro Revival company is known for their vintage replica mouthpieces, and are committed to making mouthpiece dreams come true by making exact Replicas of the classic mouthpieces from the Golden years, from the highest quality materials, and the finest hand craftsmanship.

Joel Peskin, CEO of Retro Revival and multi-instrumentalist, is also known as iReedMan, and has performed with such diverse artists as Barbra Streisand, the Beach Boys, Albert Collins, Johnny Otis, Frank Zappa, and others.

He’s been on hundreds of studio sessions, and in the early 1980’s played the alto sax solo on the theme song for Entertainment Tonight.

Bob Sheppard, Artistic Director of Retro Revival and also a multi-woodwind instrumentalist, has performed with Herbie Hancock, Billy Childs, Peter Erskine, Steely Dan, Freddie Hubbard, Chick Corea and others.

Bob has also been on hundreds of studio sessions as well, and is on the faculty of USC Thornton School of Music.

They just came out with their new Tru Six Saxophone.

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

We talked about:

🎷What’s special about the new Retro Revival TRU Six Saxophone

🎷 How they improved typical Mark VI intonation problems

🎷 Bob Sheppard demonstrating dynamics

🎷 Ken Beason’s “recipe for Brass”

🎷 Impromptu Jam with Bob & Joel on Tenor Madness

🎷 How Retro Revival started

🎷 Comparison of old mouthpieces and new mouthpieces & how the Masters dealt with it

🎷 And so much more!

If you want to keep the great interviews coming…

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.