The Saxophone History Podcast
1) Sigurd Raschèr -- High Notes, New Works, and Big Ole' Mouthpieces
In this episode I'll examine the life and times of Sigurd Raschèr, one of the first major soloists on the saxophone. I'll dive into his legacy in terms of the repertoire he generated, his advances to ...Show More
2) Lester Young -- Part 2 -- Commercial Success, Military Woes, Alcoholism, and Lasting Legacy
In the second part of the Lester Young story I'll take you through the highs of commercial and critical success as well as the the lows of military service and alcoholism. Lester Young lived a hard li...Show More
3) Lester Young -- Part 1 -- Teenage Runaway, Territory Bands, and the Kansas City Sound
In this first episode on Lester Young I'll look at Young's early life and career, including his work in territory bands and his role in the development of the Kansas City Sound. Also, his time with Fl...Show More
Lester Young -- Part 1 -- Teenage Runaway, Territory Bands, and the Kansas City Sound
1:05:17 | Aug 18th, 2024
4) Paul Desmond -- Part 3 -- Take Five, Life at Ground Zero, and the Mystery of His Sound
In this third and final episode on the life and times of Paul Desmond, I'll look at the explosion of fame for the Brubeck Quartet, largely because of Take Five, Life after Brubeck, and Desmond's final...Show More
Paul Desmond -- Part 3 -- Take Five, Life at Ground Zero, and the Mystery of His Sound
1:20:25 | Mar 28th, 2024
5) Paul Desmond -- Part 2 -- Operation Paradise, A Surfing Accident, and the Classic Quartet
In this episode I look at how Desmond methodically weaseled his way back into Brubeck's good graces, got scammed by a woman claiming to be very wealthy, got run out of Reno, and recorded his first sid...Show More
6) Paul Desmond -- Part 1
In the first episode of this three part look at the life of Paul Desmond I'll dive into Paul's somewhat unusual upbringing, his struggles to fit in in the military, early career as a saxophonist, and ...Show More
7) Johnny Hodges -- Rabbit, Jeep, and Squatty Roo!
Rabbit, Jeep, and Squatty Roo! Did you know that Johnny Hodges topped the alto category in the Downbeat polls for ten years straight? Did you know that he hired and fired a young John Coltrane? Did yo...Show More
8) Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! -- Cannonball Adderley Quintet ***Not Quite*** Live at The Club
In this episode, we'll go through the true story of the classic Cannonball Adderley Quintet album, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at The Club. It's a quick but interesting story. Deception! Secrets! Cloak ...Show More
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! -- Cannonball Adderley Quintet ***Not Quite*** Live at The Club
13:19 | Oct 29th, 2023
9) Joe Henderson -- The Phantom
Did you know that Joe Henderson anonymously recorded film music in the late 60’s to get around legal restrictions? Did you know that he quit a lucrative gig with Horace Silver onstage at the Jazz Work...Show More
10) David Sanborn
In this episode I'll be looking at the life and times of David Sanborn. He's a player that we all know but I'll go deep into the sides of Sanborn that many people might not yet know about.