Unconventional Approaches to the Saxophone
I was fortunate over the Summer to attend the School for Improvisational Music 2 Week Creative Intensive at the Brooklyn Conservatory in New York under the guidance of some of my favourite musicians including Ralph Alessi, Tim Berne, Tony Malaby, Michael Attias, Kris Davis and many others. The program was heavily focussed on free improvisation... Continue Reading →
"Articulation lets music "speak", determines the creation of the tone and delineates the metric relationships within the musical text"Netti, G & Weiss, M. The Techniques of Saxophone Playing, Bärenreiter 2010, p.143 Articulations on the saxophone are predominately generated through distinct uses of the tongue and diaphragm (air-pressure) - this could also extend to the idea... Continue Reading →
I was pleasantly surprised recently when I came across this piece of John Coltrane entitled "Harmonique" from his 1961 release "Coltrane Jazz" through Atlantic Records. What is interesting about the composition is that Coltrane incorporates consonant and harmonically functional multiphonics into the melody of the song. *NOTE: All references to chords/pitches are in context for... Continue Reading →
Colin Stetson is one of the most influential saxophonists on the planet for me with regard to unique approach and ability to occupy different musical roles simultaneously in his playing. Through his use of extended techniques and manipulation of sound through extensive and creative use of different microphones and mixing techniques, he creates music that... Continue Reading →
I had the pleasure of experiencing a solo saxophone set from one of my heroes John Zorn at the November Music Festival in 's-Hertogenbosch last year. John is an American composer/arranger/saxophonist/improviser who has one of the most eclectic and varied discographies I have ever attempted to dig into. He is perhaps most well known for... Continue Reading →
Despite coming all the way to the Netherlands to focus on this area of study, it is always nice to realise there are people doing great and imaginative things back home in Australia. Andrew Ball is a saxophonist and composer from my hometown of Brisbane who is becoming an important and distinct voice in the... Continue Reading →
Andrew Saragossi 