Inside The Saxophone Mind

This week's episode has us catching up with the great young tenor and soprano saxophonist, Adam Larson. Adam is originally from Illinois and now makes his living in New York. He gives us great insight into how he makes a living through music, modern versus vintage instruments, and how to keep your business chops polished along with your saxophone chops. Beyond maintaining an active touring and recording schedule, Larson continues to be a sought after clinician and master class presenter at several high schools and Universities across the Midwest and beyond, including appearances at Temple University, Yale, Manhattan School of Music, University of North Texas, Elmhurst College, University of Wyoming, University of Northern Colorado, Roosevelt College, University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Hutchinson Community College among many others. Adam maintains an impressive portfolio of commissioned ensemble writing for school jazz ensembles, having written thirty original works to date. Larson is currently a Teaching Artist for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Jazz For Young People, The New York Pops Ed education programs, and has a diverse private lesson studio of Skype students from the U.S. and abroad. Larson currently resides in Manhattan with his beautiful wife, Tierney.  Enjoy our interview with Adam! Show Notes: Visit Adam Larson's Website HERE. Visit The Inside The Saxophone Mind Website Consider donating to the show if you like what we are doing here!

This week we have a true legend joining us on the show. Donald Harrison isn'y a new name to most jazz fans and this interview is an enlightening look into the life of a legendary jazz musician. We catch up with Donald to talk about his roots in New Orleans, what he's practicing these days, NOLA jazz fest and what “Nouveau Swing," means to him.  Over three decades playing as a professional artist has placed Harrison on stage and on recordings with some of the most influential artists of the 21st century.  He has performed and recorded with an illustrious list of distinguished musicians in Jazz, R & B, Funk, Classical and other music genres. Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, The Cookers, McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Lena Horne, Ron Carter, Billy Cobham, Eddie Palmieri, Jennifer Holiday, Dr. John, Guru’s Jazzmatazz, McCoy Tyner, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Digable Planets, Notorious BIG, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra are just a few of the artists and ensembles he has performed with. Donald was truly a joy to get to speak with and I want to thank him for his time and gracing us with his presence. Enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Visit Donald Harrison's Website HERE. Visit The Inside The Saxophone Mind Website Consider donating to the show if you like what we are doing here!

Wow! This week's episode is a long one with a man who has more energy than almost anyone I have ever met. Greg Fishman is a fantastic tenor player and educator from the great city of Chicago. Greg is known for his many instructional books and teaches students from all over the world. Greg is among the foremost experts on the music of Stan Getz and is the author of three Getz transcription books published by Hal Leonard. His self-published books, Jazz Saxophone Etudes Volumes 1 - 3, Jazz Saxophone Duets, Volumes 1 - 3, Jazz Phrasing for Saxophone, Volumes 1 - 3, Hip Licks for Saxophone, Jazz Guitar Etudes, Jazz Trumpet Duets and Tasting Harmony™ are in circulation worldwide and have been endorsed by top educators and jazz performers, including Michael Brecker, Jerry Coker, Bob Sheppard, James Moody and Phil Woods. Greg has toured and performed worldwide with his own group, and with such artists as the Woody Herman Band, Louis Bellson, Slide Hampton, Conte Candoli, Lou Levy, Clark Terry, Jackie and Roy, Don Menza, Ira Sullivan, Judy Roberts, Jeremy Monteiro, Jimmy Heath, Lou Donaldson, Harry Allen, Jeff Hamilton, Eddie Higgins, and Benny Golson. This interview contains so much valuable information, you may have to listen to it two or three times to absorb everything! Enjoy this week's episode and make sure you check out Greg's website, books, and music! Show Notes: Visit Greg Fishman's Website HERE. Visit The Inside The Saxophone Mind Website Consider donating to the show if you like what we are doing here!

Bill McHenry has played with some of the biggest names in jazz and he and his contemporaries are changing the face of modern music. We catch up with Bill this week to talk about how he got started, playing with John McNeil and Paul Motian, and some of the things he has done to develop one of the most recognizable sounds on the saxophone today. If you don't know Bill's work, he lives in New York, Barcelona, and Maine.  He has made 7 recordings as a leader,  and is known for his work with Andrew Cyrille, Paul Motian, Eric Revis, Guillermo Klein, Andrew D’Angelo, Reid Anderson, Orrin Evans, John McNeil, Ben Waltzer, Rebecca Martin, Duane Eubanks, Jamie Saft, and Ethan Iverson.   I really enjoyed our conversation, Bill is a generous, funny, and deep guy who has many good things to say. You can't help but learn a ton from this interview and I hope everyone enjoys this interview featuring the great, Bill McHenry! Show Notes: Visit Bill McHenry's Website HERE. Check out Bill's music on iTunes Visit The Inside The Saxophone Mind Website Consider donating to the show if you like what we are doing here!

This week we welcome in the fantastic New York saxophonist and composer, Jon Irabagon. The winner of the 2008 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition, Irabagon has since topped both the Rising Star Alto Saxophone and the Rising Star Tenor Saxophone categories in the DownBeat Magazine Critics’ Poll and been named one of Time Out New York’s 25 New York City Jazz Icons. Jon was also named 2012 Musician of the Year in The New York City Jazz Record. An integral member of such high-profile ensembles as Mostly Other People Do The Killing and the Mary Halvorson Quintet, as well as an established bandleader in his own right, his list of current projects includes the bands Bryan & The Haggards and Mike Pride’s From Bacteria to Boys as well as a longstanding partnership with legendary drummer Barry Altschul and Dave Douglas’ new quintet. // Irabagon also has his own record label, Irrabagast Records and we talk a little bit about what it is like to put out his own albums and run that side of the business in addition to his work as a performer. Jon also talks about how he got started on the saxophone, some of the things he practices on a regular basis, and what going to school in New York did for his career. It's easy to see and hear why Jon Irabagon is one of the most in demand saxophonists in the world right now. Enjoy our conversation and check out Jon's music today! Show Notes: Visit Jon Irabagon's Website HERE. Check out Jon's music on iTunes Visit The Inside The Saxophone Mind Website Consider donating to the show if you like what we are doing here!

Jaleel Shaw is a heavy player. He is also a super nice guy and our conversation was one of the highlights of my week. Jaleel is killing it in New York right now and is a member of the Roy Haynes Quartet,Tom Harrell’s “Colors Of A Dream” and has also performed with Christian McBride, Jason Moran, the Mingus Big Band, Pat Metheny, Stefon Harris, Roy Hargrove, Chick Corea, Dave Holland and Jimmy Cobb and others. Jaleel was born and raised in Philadelphia and we talk about some of the influences that had on his music and life, as well as what growing up around extremely talented musicians did for him. After coming of age in Philly, Jaleel attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston and became the saxophonist that would soon take the jazz world by storm. In this episode we talk about what it is like to play with legends such as Roy Haynes and Tom Harrell, some of the things that Jaleel worked on to get to the level of a world class saxophonist, and his approach to composition that has led Jaleel to a fruitful writing and producing career. There are also nuggets of wisdom throughout this episode that aren't to be missed! Sit back, relax and enjoy our interview with the fantastic, Jaleel Shaw!   Check out Jaleel's website HERE! Grab Jaleel's music, you won't be sorry!