Every month we do a group transcription challenge inside the Stablemates forum. This month it’s one of my all-time favorite saxophone solos in a pop song: (The break from 2:27-31 and the deliciously crafted solo from 2:50-3:14.) Notice his skillful and effective placement of major 7th intervals. This whole album had a tremendous influence on me. (Find it on […]
Branford Marsalis
37 Most Popular #InTheShed Posts of 2014 – Brecker, Redman, Potter, Marsalis, Webster, Henderson, Hawkins, Shorter & More…
I put a lot of stuff on this blog in 2014. If you missed any of it (all of it?) here’s a short list of the most popular posts…in reverse order. 37. Look inside my practice journal from 20 years ago 36. Wynton Marsalis’ 1-Minute Guide to Playing Hipper Rhythms 35. Storytelling in Jazz: The […]
Compare Branford Marsalis and Sting Performing Roxanne…22 Years Apart
I often point to this as my blueprint for what saxophone in a pop setting can be: For my money it gets no better. But thanks to YouTube, we have the opportunity to compare and contrast that performance with one from 22 years earlier: Lots to glean from this. (Hint: maturity; nuance.)
Young Branford Marsalis with David Sanborn, George Duke and Betty Carter
I have a vague memory of seeing Night Music with David Sanborn while flipping channels as a kid. It was before I played saxophone so I probably didn’t watch long enough to see much. But what a cool show! (If you’ve never heard of it, lots of episodes can be found on YouTube.) In this […]