It may be small, but the saxophone mouthpiece can play a vital role in getting you towards the sound you want as a jazz musician. Of course, the saxophone you’re using is important, but in this guide we’re going to dive into the world of mouthpieces to see what options are out there. We’ll look …
When it comes to the history of jazz, the saxophone has played a crucial role in many of the most popular styles and movements. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that one specific manufacturer – Selmer – is responsible for providing many of the greatest players with their instrument of choice. In this …
Since the mid 1990s Mark Turner has emerged as one of the most impressive and influential tenor saxophonists in the jazz world. We already mentioned him in our guide to 10 of the best modern jazz players, but thought it was time to really dive into his playing, his career and his albums… Mark Turner’s highly …
Of course, buying the same saxophone, mouthpiece and reeds that John Coltrane used, won’t magically make you sound like him. But following what set up your favourite sax players chose can be an important step towards getting the tone and style you want when you play. In this article, we’ve picked 10 jazz saxophone greats, …
Whether you’re already learning saxophone, or simply a fan who’s always dreamt of getting started, this complete guide to the saxophone has everything you need to know, from instrument types and tips, to the greatest players of all time… Hello – Matt Fripp here. I dreamt of playing the saxophone as a young kid and …
Whilst there are a whole host of modern jazz saxophone players tearing up the scene in 2024, many of the most well-known players are still the jazz legends who pioneered the development of the style. But if you go to a jam session in any major city with young, conservatory-educated saxophonists in attendance, there’s a …
Saxophonist Michael Brecker was perhaps the most influential jazz musicianto appear on the scene after 1960s greats like John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter and Joe Henderson. In this article we take a trip through the making of the musician and his career highlights along the way. The technical prowess of Michael Brecker as a saxophone player …
Saxophone reeds can make a surprisingly big impact on your sound and style, especially when setting up to play jazz or other modern genres like blues, soul, funk and pop music. In this article we’ve rounded up the best choices today, as well as taking you through the key considerations for choosing the best reed strength and …
Innovator. Influencer. Troubled genius. Counter-cultural icon. Lester Young was all of these things and more. The tenor saxophonist was one of the great early improvising personalities, whose influence upon generations of subsequent jazz musicians cannot be understated. And despite a short life which was beset by ill health and personal problems, the influential jazz musician …