The Sound of Sax

Russell Peck Missing

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:27:00 +0000

Even though this happened Sunday, I only was made aware of it today. Composer Russell Peck has been missing for 5 days. The worst is feared as the weather has been extremely bad in the area. Russell Peck has written for the Saxophone including Drastic Measures for Saxophone Quartet, and The Upward Stream for Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra.

Read more here.

UPDATE:

According to Cliff Leaman on the NASA Forums Russell Peck body has found. I for one mourn his loss.

UPDATE:

Still not officially confirmed but its is strongly believed to be Russell Peck who was found.

News Link

UPDATE:

Buescher Promotional Ad featuring Sigurd Rascher

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:55:00 +0000

While poking around YouTube I ran across this recently posted promotional film from the Buescher Saxophone company. According to the info on the video page it dates from the 1950's. In addition to Sigurd Rascher, it would appear to feature a very, very young Carina Rasher! It's like seeing his method books come to life. I'm pretty blown away with his quality of tone, and mastery of the altissimo register. The video is broken into 3 parts and totals about 27 minutes. Unfortunately embedding was disabled by the poster so you will just have to click through.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

NASA in Albuquerque

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:58:00 +0000

Right now I'm getting ready for day two of the North American Saxophone Alliance, Region II Conference at the University of New Mexico. I'll keep this short since I need to head down to the lobby to grab some of the free breakfast. So far this has been a very successful conference, while the attendance seem a bit low, those who came are attending all the events. Arizona State University is making a very strong showing, and I really enjoyed Tom Lileys lecture on Larry Teal and Cecil Leeson. I'll report back on the rest (and in more detail) when I get back home and have some time. You can find the full schedule and program on this page.

Something for Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:31:00 +0000

This is one of my favorite YouTube saxophone videos. The more times I watch it the more I realize this is what more "Classical" Saxophonists need to incorporate into their repertoire. Enjoy!

Nobuya Sugawa plays Beauty and the Beast medley.

Get your free Ricos

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 06:50:00 +0000

I haven't seen any accurate polls of what brand of reeds are used most often, but I would have to guess that by a gigantic margin, Vandoren is the number one brand. Apparently Rico (aka D'ddario) trying to do something to change that by giving away a free box for some of your old reeds. They say that they will take "new or used" reeds, but really... who in their right mind is going to send brand new reeds? I've tried different brands of reeds over the years and nothing comes close to a Vandoren in my opinion. There is just something about the cane that isn't matched by others. That being said I've already headed over to maketheswitch.com and printed out the form to get my free Box! You have to print out your code before April 6, and mail it in before April 16th so get movin!

Follow, follow, follow

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:33:00 +0000

I just want to direct peoples attention over to the right side of the screen.....

yep, follow the blog!

subscribe to the RSS feed!

and while your at it, follow me on Twitter!

my handle is lbcsax

Make some comments! I'd love to get some feedback.

NOTE: there is something wrong with Blogger's follow feature, so I'll follow you back when it comes back up.

Saxophone Dominates MTNA Nationals

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:40:00 +0000

The finalists for the 2008-2009 MTNA National Competition finalists have been announced and it's a big win for the Saxophone. In the Young Artist National Finals, 5 out of 7 finalists are Saxophonists. In the Chamber Music National Finals 4 out of 7 are Saxophone Quartets. In the Senior and Junior divisions the Flute is King (or Queen), with 5 of 7 finalists in each competition. In my opinion this speaks to the excellent Middle School, and High School education that many flutists receive. Perhaps it is that young Saxophonists don't start to focus on solo competition repertoire until college. Whatever the reason there is a lot of ground to make up for the saxophone to catch up to the flute in grade 6-12. The National Competition will be held March 28 - April 1 2009 in Atlanta Georgia. Good Luck to all!

CHAMBER MUSIC NATIONAL FINALISTS 2008-2009

Hi-Def Saxophone Quartet
Univeristy of Illinois, Debra Richtmeyer - Coach
Noa Even, Soprano Saxophone
Dave Tribley, Alto Saxophone
Collin Wilson, Tenor Saxophone
Phil Pierick, Baritone Saxophone

Red line Saxophone Quartet
Eastman School of Music, Chien-Kwan Lin - Coach
Doug O’Connor, Soprano Saxophone
Brandon Kies, Alto Saxophone
Gai Qun, Tenor Saxophone
Quinn Lewis, Baritone Saxophone

Sinombre Piano Trio
University of Oregon, Claire Wachter/Dean Kramer - Coaches
Ben Corbin, Piano
Han Jun Lee, Violin
Talia Lindsley, Cello

North Texas Saxophone Quartet
University of North Texas, Eric Nestler - Coach
Joey Resendez, Soprano Saxophone
Chris Dickhaus, Alto Saxophone
Doug Stone, Tenor Saxophone
Sarah Roberts, Baritone Saxophone

Krang Quartet
University of Southern Mississippi, Lawrence Gwozdz- Coach
Ryan Raziano, Soprano Saxophone
Thomas Giles, Alto Saxophone
David Wozniak, Tenor Saxophone
Noah Madison, Baritone Saxophone

Arizona Graduate Winds
University of Arizona, William Dietz - Coach
Erica Schiller, Flute
Devin Gardner, Oboe
Lisa Kachouee, Clarinet
Jason Souliere, Bassoon
J. Miller, Horn

Honors Fetter
Washburn University, Larisa Elisha - Coach
William Darst, Violin
Carlos Cabezas, Violin
Manuel Tabora, Viola
Samuel Cho, Cello

YOUNG ARTIST NATIONAL FINALISTS 2008-2009 - WOODWIND

Noa Even - Saxophone - Debra Richtmeyer - Teacher

Quinn Elliott Lewis - Saxophone - Chien-Kwan Lin - Teacher

Daniel M. Goodrich - Saxophone - Fred Winkler - Teacher

Won Lee - Flute - Marianne Gedigian - Teacher

Wonkak Kim - Clarinet - Frank Kowalsky - Teacher

Derek Granger - Saxophone - Timothy McAllister - Teacher

John Cummins - Saxophone - Eugene Rousseau - Teacher

Full Results

SENIOR NATIONAL FINALISTS 2008-2009 - WOODWIND

Jennifer Zhou - Flute - Beth Owen - Teacher

Christi Rajnes - Flute - Beverly Rajnes - Teacher

Emily K. Potter - Flute - Sandy Duffy Norman - Teacher

Alicia Mielke - Flute - Marianne Gedigian - Teacher

James Moon - Clarinet - Kenneth Lee - Teacher

Marley Eder - Flute - Jim Walker - Teacher

Charlie Fiorillo - Saxophone - Jean Lansing - Teacher

Full Results

JUNIOR NATIONAL FINALISTS 2008-2009- WOODWIND

Christine Murphy - Flute - Hideko Amano - Teacher

David Kim - Clarinet - Ju Young Lee - Teacher

Zachary Kellogg - Flute - Bonnie Blanchard - Teacher

Grace Choe - Flute - Monica Song - Teacher

Edward Cai - Clarinet - Kenneth Lee - Teacher

Catherine Winters - Flute - Elizabeth Weissman - Teacher

Kathryn Woodward - Flute - Margaret Peterson - Teacher

Full Results

Thoughts on NAMM 2009

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:51:00 +0000

For those who aren't from Southern California, the NAMM show is a gigantic music trade show held every year in Anaheim. This was my first trip in a few years and I walked away very impressed with the so called "third tier" saxophones. I don't know what percentage of the market Selmer (Paris), and Yamaha represent but it is my anecdotal experience that it's huge. As much as I love my Yamaha saxes, I am a strong believer in competition and it's great that serious attempts are being made to produce great horns. I was particuraly impressed with the curved Sopranos that International Woodwind had. With an even and round tone, and most importantly, modern keywork they are a great option for someone looking for a unique look and sound, without breaking the bank. Other highlights were the new Phoenix Custom Z from Yamaha, the Selmer "Bird Editions" Flamingo, etc, P. Mauriat Saxophones, and a Kenny G branded horn. Please enjoy the video of myself trying to get a sound on the tiny, tiny, Soprillo Saxophone, as well as the G-man himself.

North American Saxophone Alliance Region II Conference

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:45:00 +0000

The schedule for the NASA Region II conference was released today. It looks like a nice mix of student groups, professional performances, lectures, and masterclasses. Admission is included with membership to NASA so head over and sign up! More information about the conference can be found here, including hotel information.

North American Saxophone Alliance Region II 2009

Sunday, February 22:

	B-117	B-120	Keller Hall	Popejoy Hall
8:00-8:50			Tech Time Set Up
9:00-9:50	Fort Lewis Saxophone Quartet UNC Symphonic Band Quartet CSU Saxophone Quartet	Exhibits open	Todd Rewoldt Paul Farus Mark Malpezzi
10:00-10:50	Ophiclide Saxophone Quartet Flatiron Saxophone Quartet John Thomas		Jackie Christiano Nathan Wilson Shane Kealy Grady Castle
11:00-11:50	David Wegehaupt Javier Ocampo-Cardona Adam Briggs		Eric Lau-Masterclass
12:00-12:50	Break		Break
1:00-1:50	Elizabeth Bunt- Lecture The Saxophone Music of Karlheinz Stockhausen		Eric Roberts Johan Eriksson Kevin Baldwin
2:00-2:50	Ryan Janus- Lecture Teaching Jazz for Dummies		Derek Granger Marcos Colón Amy Oakes Daniel Gomez Jon Swann
3:00-3:50	Thomas Liley- Lecture Cecil Leeson and Larry Teal: America’s Saxophone Pioneers		Timothy McAllister- Masterclass
4:00-4:50	Doug Lawrence- Jazz Clinic		Adam Camey Leah Concialdi Max Schwimmer Ryan Janus
5:00-5:50		Exhibits Close	West Wing Saxophone Quartet Ohrwürm
6:00-6:50	Break	Break	Break	Break
7:30-10:00				UNM Jazz Band with Doug Lawrence, Greg Fishman, Thrasher, Chris Beaty, and Peter Sommer.

North American Saxophone Alliance Region II 2009

Monday, February 23:

	B-117	B-120	Keller Hall	Popejoy Hall
8:00-8:50	Tech Time Set Up		Tech Time Set Up
9:00-9:50	John Thomas- Lecture Learning Tunes: A Practical Approach to an Essential Skill	Exhibits Open	XYZ Saxophone Quartet Christopher Rorke Ryan Van Scoyk
10:00-10:50	Greg Fishman- Jazz Clinic		Orion Saxophone Quartet UNC Saxophone Quartet Morris/ Zuniga
11:00-11:50	David Henderson- Lecture The Saxophone Music of Jascha Gurewich		Andrew Dahlke- Masterclass
12:00-12:50	Break		Break
1:00-1:50	Celerity Saxophone Quartet UNM Saxophone Quartet Moreno Saxophone Quartet		Michael Keepe Kendra Emery Meyer/ Zuniga/ Stonerock Kevin Feeken
2:00-2:50	Medera WInds		Rippe/ Beaty Barrera/ Charbonneau Briggs/ Puccio Dees/ McAllister
3:00-3:50			Andrew Dahlke Patrick Murphy Rhonda Taylor
4:00-4:50			David Dees Allen Rippe Peter Sommer
5:00-5:50		Exhibits Close	Doug Owens Thomas Liley Andrew Stonerock
6:00-6:50	Break	Break	Break	Break
7:30-10:00				UNM Wind Symphony with Timothy McAllister and Eric Lau

New Posts Coming!

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:44:00 +0000

It's New Years Resolution time and now that I have a few weeks of down time till the semester starts I have no excuse to not make a few posts.

Saxophone Repertoire Wiki

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:20:00 +0000

So I have a friend who plays Tuba, and my wife plays Flute, are there any pieces that were written for this combination with Saxophone? Normally one would turn to a Google search, or if you have a copy handy, the Comprehensive Guide to Saxophone Repertoire (formerly known as 150/125 years of Music for Saxophone). Such printed resources are obsolete as soon as they are published and their "comprehensive" nature is in doubt with the number of pieces being written by lesser known composers world-wide.

Enter the Internet.

With more people turning to Wikipedia than Encyclopedia Britannica, or Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians for their first search could a Wiki be the answer to a world of ever expanding repertoire? Bernard Savoie at Mulerash.com thinks so, and has set up the Saxophone New Works Wiki. Right now he has 104 composers with info pages, and 1019 pieces entered. There are some pretty big holes; with Paul Creston, Bernhard Heiden, Alexander Glazunov, Eugene Bozza, and more missing it's far from comprehensive. We have only ourselves to blame for this state and I encourage everyone to head over and see if there is anything you can add to this listing. This is really the only way there could be a true cataloging of every work every written for saxophone. Now go Wiki!

Teaching Slap

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:17:00 +0000

When I was at Indiana University, I made it a goal one year to finally figure out how to flutter tongue, and another year how to circular breath. This summer I'm going to finally get my slap tongue up to par with the rest of the Jungle playing cool kids. I've run across these two resources and they've really helped me get pointed in the right direction. Not that I can't slap at all, it's just not that super-picky, ultra fast kind required on many of the newest saxophone works. The first one to check out is this video from the Ellipsos Quartet, and then for something to put on your stand print out this PDF from saxophonist Erik Rönmark.

UPDATE: It took about 3 or 4 months but using the techniques in video and PDF, I am now slapping successfully.

OCHSA Saxophone Day - Harvey Pittel and Saxophobia

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:03:00 +0000

It took me a while to get this post out, mostly because I was figuring out the Blogger interface, but also because I'm still working on the format for each post. Enjoy!

It's not often that a true pioneer of the saxophone comes to town. I didn't know too much about Harvey Pittel beyond that he was the first Saxophone teacher at the University of Southern California, edited the Dahl Concerto, and had a well known recording of the Creston Sonata. I really didn't know what to expect from his visit, but it turned out to be a great learning experience for everyone.

The Wednesday before "Saxophone Day", Mr. Pittel held a masterclass at OCHSA for the students. I had spoken to him before the class and informed how most the students primarily played jazz and that most of what I did was helping them have a more "classical" approach to the instrument. So I was pleased that this was what he spent most of his time talking about, having an even tone quality throughout the range of the instrument. One of the exercises he demonstrated was "Overtone Matching". Basicly while fingering a Low Bb play the second overtone (F), and alternate between the overtone fingering and the regular one. I'd seen this before but he added some twists. While he plays scales, etudes, or pieces he will check his pitch and embouchure by playing a note as an overtone. Another interesting technique he used was something he called the "3-2-1 exercise". While playing a descending passage he would take out a little mouthpiece in three stages, ending at the "1" position on low Bb. He gave some very good advise regarding practicing slowly and methodically, which I appreciated greatly, and advocated the use of at least a 3 1/2 if not 4 or harder reed size. It was a good masterclass, a bit intense at times, but very informative.

So on the big day (May 3, 2008) I was able to watch a bit of Mr. Pittel rehearse with the Wind Ensemble. No question he is a pro at this, it was great to see him push the students to play up to his standard. He was probably the most in control soloist I've ever seen, he wasn't going to let anything come between him and his artistic vision of what the music should be. First up on the concert was Duo Concertino by Emmett Yoshioka, a piece written for Mr. Pittel which is peppered with Jazz and some pretty wild Altissimo sections. He finished the first part of his performance with the Carnival of Venice which is always a crowd pleaser. I wasn't able to stay for the last third of the saxophone day to see Mr. Pittel perform with the Orange County Wind Ensemble, but I was told by some students that his performance of Flight of the Bumble Bee was outstanding and performed with Circular Breathing.

The other half of the Sax Day program was Saxophobia. Lead by Rob Verdi, with Curtis Brengle (piano), Bruce Lett (bass), and Paul Johnson (drums) , Saxophobia is Mr. Verdi's outlet for his gigantic antique saxophone collection. Included in his menagerie is a Straight Tenor, a Conn-O-Sax, Slide Sax, Grafton Plastic Sax, and the big daddy of all, the awesome Contra-Bass Saxophone of which there are only a dozen or so in the world. Part history lecture, the facts given out were accurate and very informative. I was especially fascinated by the story of the Conn-O-Sax being marketed as a replacement for French Horns and English Horns in High School Bands, only to end up being tossed out windows to give apprentice instrument repair techs something to fix. Mr. Verdi seemed to channel the performers that made each saxophone famous, be it Rudy Weideoft, Adrian Rollini, or Charlie Parker. I was really impressed by his facility on the Bass and Contra-Bass Sax, it really appeared to be effortless, even though I know it wasn't! The best part about the Saxophobia presentation was Mr. Verdi's willingness to speak to students and other saxophone enthusiasts back stage, and let them take a close look at his collection, even give the Contra-Bass a try. So that was pretty much it for the 1st OCHSA Saxophone Day, I'm hoping it won't be the last because this one was a blast!

Reed Knives are for Sissies

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:40:00 +0000

I've always been taught that shaving down the back end of the Vamp of a reed will increase the response of low notes. Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? Richard Booth has experimented with drilling a hole in the back of a reed and says it's great. I actually saw a commercial reed that had a hole like this drilled in it, unfortunately the name escapes me, it was very old and of questionable quality. To be honest I really don't have any problems with the low end popping out so I think any benefit would be outweighed by a loss of tone on the high end. Even so it always interesting to see what people do to mod their set ups.

Photo - www.bootmanmusic.com

What's this all about?

noreply@blogger.com (JB) — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:31:00 +0000

This is something I've been wanting to do for quite a while now and its going to happen this time! The plan for this Blog isn't entirely set in stone, for now expect to see anything that fascinates me in the world of Saxophone. The stories you will find here will be of interest to anyone who loves Saxophone and is interested in learning everything they can about the instrument. Please comment on the posts as they come up, I'm really interested to know what you think!