Bob Mintzer has been one of my favorite tenor saxophone players for as long as I can remember. Around 1986 or so I remember he came to Ithaca College in NY to play with our big band. We worked up a number of Bob Mintzer big band charts and Bob played great during that concert […]
The New Ultimate II-V-I Primer (PDF Book)
The “New and Improved” Ultimate II-V-I Primer is finally done. The purpose of this book is to give beginner to intermediate jazz improvisers a complete and thorough method to learn many of the note possibilities in a II-V-I progression in a systematic and organized way. I have written this book so that it starts with […]
Absolute Resin Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy. This model is called the “AltoR”model. There is also an Alto AL, Alto ST and an Alto + model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone, Tenor and Soprano saxophones as well. The AL […]
Phil-Tone Sapphire Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing another new mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman at Phil-Tone mouthpieces. Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his mouthpieces in the past. The Equinox, the Eclipse, the Solstice and most recently the Tribute. When Phil contacted me a couple of months ago about […]
Absolute “Tenorer” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy. This model is called the “Tenorer”. There is also a Tenor AL, Tenor ST and a Tenor + model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone,Alto and Soprano saxophones as well. The AL model […]
Drake Stubbie Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today I am reviewing another great Aaron Drake mouthpiece called the “Stubbie”. It is modeled after the Dukoff “Stubbie” model from the 1950’s. I don’t know much about the Dukoff “Stubbies” and have never played one as of yet. I’ll leave any facts about the original “Stubbie” model to the mouthpiece “gurus” and collectors out […]
Florida Double Ring Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I’m reviewing an old 1950’s Florida Double Ring Otto Link Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece. It was originally a 5 tip opening but was opened up to a 7 or .100 tip opening at some point. These Florida double ring mouthpieces were made in the 1950’s by the Otto Link company. This mouthpiece I have is […]
Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I m reviewing a Ted Klum Focustone Standard Model. It has a .108 tip opening. I am lucky that I could borrow this from a friend on SOTW (Sax on the Web). This is one of his favorite mouthpieces but he let me have it for a few weeks so I could do a […]
Rafael Navarro “Bob Mintzer” Bebop Special Tenor Mouthpiece
Today, I m reviewing a tenor mouthpiece that I have been wanting to try for a very long time. This is the Bob Mintzer Bebop Special tenor mouthpiece made by Rafael Navarro. The one I am reviewing today has a 7** tip opening and is made of hard rubber that has a red marble look […]
Keeping a Beat at 9 Months Old………
I found this video the other day while going through all my home movies I’ve made. I had forgotten all about it but when I saw it, it brought a smile to my face. As a musician and father, I was always looking for ways where I could practice and watch my kids at the […]
Improvising over “On Green Dolphin Street” Video
Here’s another video of me playing with that Hal Crook play along. I’m not even sure if this play along is still being published. It’s called “Creative Comping for Improvisation”. I haven’t seen it since the early 90’s. It is such a ball to jam to because the comping is not traditional at all. There […]
Phil-Tone & Theo Wanne Tribute Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am excited to review a new mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman and Theo Wanne. Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his mouthpieces in the past. The Equinox,the Eclipse, the Solstice, etc…………… Phil contacted me a few months ago and said he was going to […]
Barone Hollywood Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece 2000
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Phil Barone. This mouthpiece is the Hollywood model and it was made back in 2000 so it is an older model. I have been a big fan of Phil Barone’s mouthpieces ever since I went to see Jerry Bergonzi play at the Acton Jazz Cafe years ago. […]
Michael Brecker’s “My One and Only Love”
I’ve been getting back into a Brecker kick over the last few weeks and found this video on Youtube today. It reminds me of the first time I saw Michael Brecker in 1986 with Steps Ahead. Such an intense energy and passion. He was a true master of the tenor saxophone. Enjoy!
Drake “Jerry Bergonzi” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Aaron Drake of Drake Mouthpieces. This new mouthpiece is the Jerry Bergonzi model. I have been a fan of Jerry Bergonzi’s since my first days at Berklee College of Music in Boston (1986). Up until that time, I had only been an alto sax player. I had […]
Vintage Selmer Soloist Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Ever since the 1980’s I have been a big fan of Kenny Garrett. I can’t remember the first time I heard him but I remember having a record in the 80’s entitled “Introducing Kenny Garrett” that I loved. (I was an alto sax player back then) Soon after this, I remember also hearing Mr. Garrett […]
Rafael Navarro Maestra Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece
I have another Rafael Navarro mouthpiece up for review today. This is a hard rubber Maestra 6* soprano saxophone mouthpiece. I used a Vandoren Java 2 1/2 reed on it with a Vandoren Optimum metal ligature. My soprano sax is a Yamaha YSS-62. Like all of Rafael’s mouthpieces I have tried so far, this one […]
Rafael Navarro Maestra Marble Tenor Mouthpiece
I have another Rafael Navarro tenor mouthpiece up for review today. This is a marble Maestra 8. I used a Rigotti Gold 2 1/2 strong reed on it with a Francois Louis Ultimate ligature. Like all of Rafael’s mouthpieces I have tried so far, this one is a work of art. The mouthpiece looks so […]
Branford Marsalis Masterclass
Here’s a great masterclass by Branford Marsalis. There’s a lot of wisdom in this 18 minutes. I love Branford’s sound on the soprano. What he says about the importance of melody and speaking through your music to people is huge. Making some sort of connection with the audience………….Great stuff! Check it out!
Blues Scale Funky Grooves
When I was a kid, the way I first learned to improvise was by learning all of my blues scales. I don’t remember if I was taught the different blues scales or if I just figured them out. I remember learning pretty quickly that most modern Top 40,Pop,Funk and Smooth Jazz was all mostly in […]
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