Many of you throughout the years, have been surprised and shocked that a cool guy like myself would be driving a 2006 Minivan. I know, I know, you expected me to pull up to the gig with a Lexus, Mercedes or Lamborghini. This video basically sums up why I bought the minivan and why I […]
The John Coltrane Omnibook Review
*I posted all the recordings I could find on Youtube that go with this transcription book at the bottom of this review………Enjoy! Those of you who know me and my musical history know the impact the Charlie Parker Omnibook has had on me since I discovered it in High School many years ago. I was […]
Silverstein Saxophone Ligature Review
Today, I am reviewing a new ligature made by Silverstein Works. For years I have heard about the amazing results that musicians would get from string ligatures. These whispers and rumors were usually heard on different clarinet boards and forums that I would visit. These posts were so compelling and convincing that I had […]
Blue Bossa Bob Mintzer Solo Transcription
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 […]
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