Everything Saxophone Podcast

On this episode of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna welcomes award-winning saxophonist and educator Dr. Woody Witt, fresh off the release of his latest album, Awakening. Here are the timestamps for your convenience; jump to the parts of our conversation with Dr. Woody Witt that interest you most! 00:00 What keeps Woody busy right now 05:27 House concerts and its benefits 10:45 What inspired him in creating his new album ‘Awakenings’ 17:49 Listen and reflect to ‘Echoes of the Past’ 22:52 Woody’s definition of melodic time 28:41 What makes ‘Derecho’ complicated 29:59 Listen and reflect to ‘Derecho’ (part 1) 37:05 Two Ways Woody added tension to his soloing 41:36 Mistake most sax players make (play too much) 46:46 Listen and reflect to ‘Derecho’ (part 2) 53:48 Why touring with people you already worked with matters 57:38 Listen and reflect to ‘Derecho’ (part 3) 01:01:41 How to feel comfortable on your instrument 01:11:27 His equipment on this recording   Check out our blog for more information about Dr. Woody Witt and his newest album! 👉 https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-educator-composer-woody-witt-free-jazz-modernized-ep-251   Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content v Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Today’s podcast is brought to you by our friends at GigSalad. Looking to book more gigs and grow your audience? Whether you’re a solo artist or in a band, GigSalad makes it easy to connect with event planners across the U.S. and Canada for weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and more. With GigSalad’s strong Google presence, you get better exposure to planners searching for your talent. The full-service platform lets you set availability and preferences to get only the leads you want, and makes messaging, quoting, and booking a breeze.   So head to GigSalad.com to create your free profile now and take the first step to booking more shows. That’s GigSalad.com — and let them know the Everything Saxophone podcast sent you! Best of all? Clients pay upfront, so your money is guaranteed every time. ✨ Click HERE for more info.

Saxophonist and composer David Bixler joins host Donna Schwartz on the ep. 250 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast to share his musical journey, creative insights, and more! Below is a detailed timestamp guide to help you navigate the key highlights of our conversation with David Bixler: 00:00 How he got into music  06:17 Mentors and inspirations while starting out 12:44 What made him move to New York 16:15 His ‘Blue Note’ story 18:37 His advice for those who get intimidated on jamming with others 22:55 What you shouldn’t do at a jam session 30:07 “If you operate from fear, you’ll never grow” 40:28 Influence of Langston Hughes  49:03 Thought process for improvisation 51:09 Playing for a trio 01:02:48 Music as a conversation Explore more about David Bixler—his music, background, and socials—all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-david-bixler-pursuing-creative-conversations-with-improvisation-ep-250  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Become a Patron today! 🥳 Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!  Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE  Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔 To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you’ve always relied on the sheet music? That’s exactly what you’ll learn in the free masterclass called “How to Improvise With Confidence.” Inside, you’ll discover: How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note) And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it — and many say it’s the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it’s still available. 👉 HERE

In Episode 249 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, hosted by Donna Schwartz, rising star, baritone saxophonist Jimmy Farace, joins us for a conversation about storytelling through music, his influences, and his newly released debut album. Below is a detailed timestamp guide to help you navigate the key highlights of our conversation with Jimmy Farace: 00:00 - His introduction to music 04:13 - Mark Colby’s influence on him 06:33 - Categories of what to practice 10:11 - How he creates his own lines 13:49 - Mentors that stood out in his college days 22:06 - Influences on his writing today 24:47 - What kept him busy during pandemic 33:26 - Learning the business side of music 37:16 - How he got into teaching 44:07 - Showcasing the beauty of the bari sax 49:45 - Creating his album 52:53 - How he was responsible for every note 57:30 - His setup while touring 01:03:23 - Soloing tips for bari sax players 01:10:00 - The cons of using bari saxes with the low A key 01:14:22 - Gear and setup 01:20:45 - Upcoming project Explore more about Jimmy Farace—his music, background, and socials—all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-jimmy-farace-understanding-the-past-to-maximize-his-growth-ep-249 Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you’ll get exclusive perks such as: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!   Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! Feel stuck playing the same licks? What if you could stop overthinking, ditch the sheet music, and take confident, expressive solos — anywhere, anytime?   The free masterclass, How to Improvise With Confidence, has helped thousands of sax players break out of the rut and start playing with freedom.   It’s not about memorizing more theory. It’s about unlocking the instincts and tools you already have — so you can finally solo the way you hear it in your head.   If you’ve ever felt glued to the page… avoided solos because you didn’t feel ready… or wondered why you still don’t “get” chord changes — this might be your turning point.   👉Click here to watch the masterclass now while it’s still available.

In Episode 248 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, host Donna Schwartz sits down with saxophonist, educator, and composer Dr. Randal Clark for an inspiring conversation about music, artistry, and education. Here’s a guided timestamp to check out the highlights of this episode with Dr. Randal Clark —perfect if you want to jump straight to the parts that resonate most with you. 00:00 - Musical beginnings 06:21- The 1 cassette influenced his musical path 08:51 - How he made his own records 9:21 - How he learned improvisation on his own 17:36 - The value in transcribing 28:54 - The influences that inspired him to become a music educator 32:56 - The sax as a tool 33:34 - The 1 concept that affects your time management 40:08 - The 1 trait you need to get really good at something 41:24 - Think your age is an issue? Listen to Randal’s advice 43:36 - How serendipity played a role in his career 47:15 - Pros & Cons of emulating others 55:04 - The musicians on his new release, Midnight 59:53 - Advice for putting yourself out there 01:02:32 - Randal’s songwriting process 01:17:10 - How working with DAW became a roadblock for him 01:21:00 - The funny story how Randal started working for Cannonball Musical Instruments 01:25:37 - His Vintage Reborn saxophone 01:28:05 - How Cannonball is different than most other instrument companies 01:33:21 - Randal’s setup 01:43:09 - Where you can find Randal and his CD’s online Explore more about Dr. Randal Clark—his music, background, and socials—all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-dr-randal-clark-taking-action-to-control-your-destiny-ep-248 Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you’ll get exclusive perks such as: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else!   Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!    Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today!   Have You Checked Out The Free Masterclass, How To Improvise With Confidence Yet?  If you’re a saxophonist who feels bored with your solos because you play the same licks over and over again, or takes hours and hours to write or work out solos because you feel you can't create anything better when you're playing in the moment, or is afraid to raise your hand to take solos during rehearsals because you feel everyone else is better than you... Register NOW for the Free Masterclass, How to Improvise With Confidence In Any Style of Music. In it, you'll discover: ✅ How to sound more pro improvising using a simple 3-step proven system, so that you don’t have to always rely on using other people’s ideas ✅ How to improvise over any song in any style with 100% confidence even if you are self taught & never studied jazz or don’t know a thing about theory ✅ How to make progress with improvisation by practicing more efficiently AND having more fun ✅ and a whole lot more! Thousands of saxophone players have gotten tremendous value from watching this masterclass, so check it out now while it’s still available.You’ll find the link in the show’s description for this episode.  Click this link to Register now while you're thinking about it: https://donnaschwartzmusic.lpages.co/hto-fb-ads-lp-2025/?el=podcast248

In Episode 247 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down with internationally renowned saxophonist, composer, and ECM recording artist Andy Sheppard. Here’s a guided timestamp to check out the highlights of the episode — perfect if you want to jump straight to the parts that resonate most with you. 00:00 - Leaving art school and started learning saxophone at 19 04:09 - When Andy realized his true passion 05:11 - Needing to be ready for a lesson 16:36 - People he met along the way that helped his playing 21:12 - Taking a helicopter view on life to make important life decisions 27:48 - How Andy got the gig playing with Carla Bley 30:02 - Learning the guitar 31:17 - Top tip for airline travel with your saxophone 33:58 - How ‘Autograph Sax’ started 40:42 - Me or the horn? 44:29 - What his practice routine looks like 47:24 - The beautiful thing about playing the saxophone 51:38 - Where he got his classical technique 55:24 - Recording his own music 59:43 - Being hired to play for George Russell 01:04:25 - George Russell & Living Time Orchestra - The African Game 1989 01:13:43 - Why creating music and enjoying the process is much more important to him 01:17:07 - How he survived during the pandemic Explore more about Andy Sheppard—his music, background, and socials—all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/   Become a Patron Today! Love what we do? Get even closer to the music by joining us on Patreon! As a Patron, you'll unlock exclusive perks like: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our episodes 🎬 Bonus videos with behind-the-scenes insights 📝 Searchable transcripts for every episode ⏰ Early access to new releases—hear them before the public does! Your support helps keep the podcast alive and thriving—and allows us to continue bringing you top-notch saxophone content. 💡 Join our community for as little as $2/month and be part of something bigger. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/everythingsaxophone 

In this episode we had the incredible honor of hosting Ted Klum himself alongside product manager Michael Howe from Ted Klum Mouthpieces! This episode is pure GOLD! Here’s a guided timestamp to check out the highlights of the episode — perfect if you want to jump straight to the parts that resonate most with you.   00:00 - How Ted Klum started his company 07:30 - Focus Tone Model 09:23 - Mixing (old school style) 20:50 - Great mouthpieces vs good mouthpieces 26:50 - Michael Howe’s journey in finding the right mouthpiece 28:43 - How Ted grew musically 31:30 - How to line up the reed properly 34:38 - Ted Klum’s specific recipe for tip rails 38:42 - Ted’s mouthpiece testing tips - these are Gold 46:12 - What’s different and special with their mouthpieces 57:08 - Model played by Michael Howe 01:08:45 - Marbled mouthpieces 01:27:44:08 - Tips on how to choose the right mouthpiece for you 01:29:19 - Ligature recommendation   Explore more about Ted Klum Mouthpieces—their background, products, and socials—all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/ted-klum-saxophone-mouthpieces-the-secrets-behind-his-success-ep-246   Become a Patron today!   Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you’ll get exclusive perks such as: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else!   Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!    Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today!  

In this conversation, saxophonist Dan White reflects on his journey from a young student learning 50 tunes by ear to earning a music degree at Ohio State and touring professionally.   Here’s a guided timestamp to check out the highlights of the episode — perfect if you want to jump straight to the parts that resonate most with you.   00:00 - His first instrument and how he got into playing saxophone 09:07 - Learning 50 tunes by ear 11:52 - What convinced him to do music as a career 15:46 - Eye opening music camp he went to 21:10 - Getting a music degree at Ohio state 25:13 - Question he asked himself that inspired his future 30:37 - Advice for those who don’t like to record themselves 34:08 - Advice for dealing with negative comments 45:36 - Temptation of perfection 54:59 - What he considers as weakness in a player 58:51 - How he organizes his practicing 01:02:58 - What to do whenever you feel overwhelmed  01:11:13 - Importance of good relationship within the band 01:17:10 - His tonal concept, gear, and set-up 01:31:54 - Advice from Walter Blanding 01:34:49 - How and when did he start using P Mauriat Saxophone 01:41:19 - Upcoming projects   Explore more about Dan White—his background, music, and socials—all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-dan-white-using-the-yes-mentality-to-embrace-challenges   Become a Patron today!   Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you’ll get exclusive perks such as: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else!   Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!    Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today!   P. Mauriat is a proud sponsor of the Everything Saxophone Podcast. P. Mauriat saxophones are handmade start to finish in Taiwan by skilled artisans and their families. Each P. Mauriat saxophone features a hand hammered bell; hand-hammering creates a durable alloy that is both aesthetically and sonically beautiful.    P. Mauriat is the only saxophone manufacturer in the world that manufactures a true, full line saxophone choir: sopranino, soprano saxes with two necks or unibody construction, a curved soprano, alto and tenor saxophones with traditional French bores and drawn tone holes or alto and tenor saxophones with rolled tone holes and Germanic style bores, a tenor sax without a high F# key, Low A AND Low Bb baritone saxes, a professional bass saxophone, and entry level, intermediate, and pro lines all voiced SATB.    P. Mauriat also makes entry level, intermediate, and professional clarinets, intermediate and professional flutes, and entry level through pre-professional trumpets.  P. Mauriat is also fully product-supported, with an actual human being brand manager and an ever-growing parts pipeline.    Check out the new P. Mauriat Venus Alto and Tenor saxophones, made of a 95% copper alloy with silver key work and Black Pearl key touches. Great artists such as Kirk Whalum, Derek Brown, Roxy Coss, Adam Larson, Jason Marshall, Khari Allen Lee, Laura Dreyer, Dan White, and Terell Stafford have trusted their sound to P. Mauriat Musical Instruments.   Whether you’re a beginning musician, an advancing student, or a working professional, P. Mauriat has an instrument that will fit both your musical tastes and your budget.   See your local dealer for details!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Leah Concialdi, Saxophonist, about how to authentically pitch yourself. Leah opens up about playing bari sax at massive pop gigs, wireless mic tips for saxophonists, Fela Kuti’s influence on her music and many more! ✨ Here's what we've talked about:  🎷 Musical beginning 🎷 Pop gig preparation 🎷 What it was like to play at Coachella with Harry Styles 🎷 How to navigate line checks at shows for Bari Sax players 🎷 Wireless microphone she currently uses 🎷 Neighborhood orchestra 🎷 How Fela Kuti’s music influenced her 🎷 The intersection between Fela Kuti’s music and jazz music 🎷 How she got involved with P Mauriat Instruments 🎷 Her mouthpiece preference  🎷How she got into music publicity 🎷 Audiences are craving authenticity 🎷 Why old school marketing platforms reign Discover more of Leah Concialdi, their bio, details about their music, and socials here: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-leah-concialdi-how-to-authentically-pitch-yourself-ep-244 Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you’ll get exclusive perks such as: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! 💡 Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! P. Mauriat is a proud sponsor of the Everything Saxophone Podcast. P. Mauriat saxophones are handmade start to finish in Taiwan by skilled artisans and their families. Each P. Mauriat saxophone features a hand hammered bell; hand-hammering creates a durable alloy that is both aesthetically and sonically beautiful.  P. Mauriat is the only saxophone manufacturer in the world that manufactures a true, full line saxophone choir: sopranino, soprano saxes with two necks or unibody construction, a curved soprano, alto and tenor saxophones with traditional French bores and drawn tone holes or alto and tenor saxophones with rolled tone holes and Germanic style bores, a tenor sax without a high F# key, Low A AND Low Bb baritone saxes, a professional bass saxophone, and entry level, intermediate, and pro lines all voiced SATB.  P. Mauriat also makes entry level, intermediate, and professional clarinets, intermediate and professional flutes, and entry level through pre-professional trumpets.  P. Mauriat is also fully product-supported, with an actual human being brand manager and an ever-growing parts pipeline.  Check out the new P. Mauriat Venus Alto and Tenor saxophones, made of a 95% copper alloy with silver key work and Black Pearl key touches. Great artists such as Kirk Whalum, Derek Brown, Roxy Coss, Adam Larson, Jason Marshall, Khari Allen Lee, Laura Dreyer, Dan White, and Terell Stafford have trusted their sound to P. Mauriat Musical Instruments. Whether you’re a beginning musician, an advancing student, or a working professional, P. Mauriat has an instrument that will fit both your musical tastes and your budget. See your local dealer for details!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Reggie Padilla, Saxophonist and Author, about how being versatile created amazing opportunities.   Donna sits down with the incredibly versatile saxophonist Reggie Padilla to dive deep into his musical path — from surfing with a sax to creating his EP First Light, his etude book Reflecting Changes, and how he built his home studio setup.   You’ll also hear what made him choose P. Mauriat saxophones and how versatility opened unexpected doors in his career.   Here's what we've talked about 🎷 Musical beginnings 🎷 What made him focus on playing saxophone  🎷 Moving to Hawaii – better weather and more gig opportunities for him 🎷 His home recording set-up 🎷 Arrangement for his work for hire projects 🎷 His EP ‘First Light’ and how he made it 🎷 Etude book ‘Reflecting Changes’ 🎷 How he make use of Switcher Studio during the pandemic 🎷 What convinced him to get P Mauriat saxophone 🎷 His mouthpiece 🎷 Reggie’s clear vibrato saxophone 🎷 How he made playing sax while surfing possible   Discover more of Reggie Padilla, their bio, details about their music, and socials here: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-reggie-padilla-how-being-versatile-created-amazing-opportunities Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you’ll get exclusive perks such as: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! 💡 Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! P. Mauriat is a proud sponsor of the Everything Saxophone Podcast. P. Mauriat saxophones are handmade start to finish in Taiwan by skilled artisans and their families. Each P. Mauriat saxophone features a hand hammered bell; hand-hammering creates a durable alloy that is both aesthetically and sonically beautiful.  P. Mauriat is the only saxophone manufacturer in the world that manufactures a true, full line saxophone choir: sopranino, soprano saxes with two necks or unibody construction, a curved soprano, alto and tenor saxophones with traditional French bores and drawn tone holes or alto and tenor saxophones with rolled tone holes and Germanic style bores, a tenor sax without a high F# key, Low A AND Low Bb baritone saxes, a professional bass saxophone, and entry level, intermediate, and pro lines all voiced SATB.  P. Mauriat also makes entry level, intermediate, and professional clarinets, intermediate and professional flutes, and entry level through pre-professional trumpets.  P. Mauriat is also fully product-supported, with an actual human being brand manager and an ever-growing parts pipeline.  Check out the new P. Mauriat Venus Alto and Tenor saxophones, made of a 95% copper alloy with silver key work and Black Pearl key touches. Great artists such as Kirk Whalum, Derek Brown, Roxy Coss, Adam Larson, Jason Marshall, Khari Allen Lee, Laura Dreyer, Dan White, and Terell Stafford have trusted their sound to P. Mauriat Musical Instruments. Whether you’re a beginning musician, an advancing student, or a working professional, P. Mauriat has an instrument that will fit both your musical tastes and your budget. See your local dealer for details!    

Ever wondered how a violinist 🎻 became a master of the saxophone 🎷? This week on the podcast, Donna sits down with the incredible Dr. Scott Litroff—who shares his journey from picking up the violin to finding his true voice on the sax.  It all started with a moment of inspiration (and a little nudge from Perry Goldstein), but what truly set Scott apart was his approach to music: letting his ears be his guide, embracing mistakes as stepping stones, and developing a fearless performance philosophy. Scott also takes us behind the scenes of his latest single, "Never Forget," sharing how it was produced and the creative process behind its powerful sound. Don't miss these episode highlights: 🎷 Meeting Scott at NAMM 2025 🎷 His introduction to music 🎷 Your ears should be your guide 🎷 How he transitioned his interest from violin to saxophone 🎷 Influence of Perry Goldstein  🎷 How Scott became lyrical in the altissimo range 🎷 Tips on playing the altissimo  🎷 Mistakes are a path to the right note 🎷 Opportunities he got while studying at Stony Brook University 🎷 How Scott developed his performance philosophy to not worry about failing 🎷 A powerful quote from Yo Yo Ma 🎷 How studying other instruments helped Scott become a better improviser and musician 🎷 How the legacy of the masters can be a blessing but also a curse 🎷 Social acceptance 🎷 Importance of healthy practice sessions  🎷 Letting go of this 1 belief will allow you to improvise with more freedom 🎷 Learning an instrument is a journey 🎷 Working with Darren Rahn 🎷 Finding the right mouthpiece and reed 🎷 His gear and recommendations 🎷 What he likes most about P Mauriat  🎷 His ‘Never Forget’ single with Darren Rahn 🎷 Other projects Click here to discover more about Dr. Scott Litroff & P Mauriat! Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you’ll get exclusive perks such as: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! 💡 Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! P. Mauriat is a proud sponsor of the Everything Saxophone Podcast. P. Mauriat saxophones are handmade start to finish in Taiwan by skilled artisans and their families. Each P. Mauriat saxophone features a hand hammered bell; hand-hammering creates a durable alloy that is both aesthetically and sonically beautiful.  P. Mauriat is the only saxophone manufacturer in the world that manufactures a true, full line saxophone choir: sopranino, soprano saxes with two necks or unibody construction, a curved soprano, alto and tenor saxophones with traditional French bores and drawn tone holes or alto and tenor saxophones with rolled tone holes and Germanic style bores, a tenor sax without a high F# key, Low A AND Low Bb baritone saxes, a professional bass saxophone, and entry level, intermediate, and pro lines all voiced SATB.  P. Mauriat also makes entry level, intermediate, and professional clarinets, intermediate and professional flutes, and entry level through pre-professional trumpets.  P. Mauriat is also fully product-supported, with an actual human being brand manager and an ever-growing parts pipeline.  Check out the new P. Mauriat Venus Alto and Tenor saxophones, made of a 95% copper alloy with silver key work and Black Pearl key touches. Great artists such as Kirk Whalum, Derek Brown, Roxy Coss, Adam Larson, Jason Marshall, Khari Allen Lee, Laura Dreyer, Dan White, and Terell Stafford have trusted their sound to P. Mauriat Musical Instruments. Whether you’re a beginning musician, an advancing student, or a working professional, P. Mauriat has an instrument that will fit both your musical tastes and your budget. See your local dealer for details!

 We’re back! 🎷🎙️ After a short break, Everything Saxophone Podcast returns with an incredible episode featuring Jason Gay! Donna sits down with Jason for a fascinating conversation about his journey in music, the gear he swears by, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Here's the highlights of the episode:  🎷 How Donna met Jason 🎷 Why ligature matters 🎷 Why Jason loves Jody Jazz mouthpieces 🎷 More onto his gear and set-up 🎷 How he got into music 🎷 Lesson from Joe Viola 🎷 Tip from Eddie Bayard 🎷 Why improving his tone takes most of his practice time 🎷 Similarities of learning a language to music 🎷 Sidney Bechet and his influence to Jason 🎷 His new book about Sidney Bechet 🎷 How joining the Navy Band opened up many opportunities This episode is packed with inspiration and valuable insights for every saxophonist and music lover. 🎧 Tune in now and let us know your favorite takeaway in the comments!  Find Jason Gay's links HERE. Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you’ll get exclusive perks such as: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! 💡 Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today!  

We’re closing out our NAMM 2025 coverage with a must-hear episode! Everything Saxophone Podcast host Donna Schwartz caught up with Theo Wanne, a world-renowned expert in saxophone mouthpiece design and innovation, at the NAMM Show 2025 in Anaheim, CA. With over three decades of experience, Theo has revolutionized how musicians approach sound and craftsmanship. In this episode, he shares insights into the Theo Wanne Essentials Collection, discusses the artistry behind his mouthpieces, and reveals what makes them stand out. Here’s what you’ll discover: 🎷 Introducing the New Theo Wanne Essentials Collection 🎷 Theo's journey of making saxophone mouthpieces 🎷 Options for tip openings 🎷 Other Theo Wanne mouthpiece models 🎷 The distinguishing features in the New Essentials Concert Series 🎷 How Theo Wanne makes quality mouthpieces at an affordable price 🎷 What makes their mouthpiece different and special This is a conversation you don’t want to miss! Tune in now and get an inside look at the innovation shaping the saxophone world.  You can find Theo Wanne's info and all their links on our site HERE.  That’s a wrap on our final NAMM 2025 episode—thank you for tuning in! 🙌 But we’re just getting started. We have an incredible lineup of guests coming your way, including Jason Gay, Leah Concialdi, and more—each bringing unique perspectives and inspiring stories. Stay tuned for an exciting season of engaging discussions, expert insights, and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss! Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you’ll get exclusive perks such as: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! 💡 Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Sheryl Laukat—CEO & Co-Founder and Dr Randal Clark—Dir of Media & Education of Cannonball Musical Instruments, at the NAMM Show 2025 in Anaheim, CA. In this special episode, we go behind the scenes with Cannonball Instruments at NAMM 2025! We dive into what makes Cannonball saxophones stand out, the secret behind putting a pearl on a lee pipe, and their most popular saxophone loved by pros like Gerald Albright & Eric Darius. Plus, we chat about Cannonball’s legendary jam sessions, their exciting plans for their 30th anniversary, and catch up with Randal Clark on his upcoming music. 🎶🔥 He even gives us an exclusive look at the Cannonball saxophone he’s playing right now and breaks down his current setup. Don't Miss Out:  ➡️ What makes Cannonball saxophones different ➡️ Putting a pearl on a lee pipe ➡️ Their most popular saxophone ➡️ Saxophones used by Gerald Albright and Eric Darius ➡️ Cannonball’s jam sessions ➡️ Plans for the 30th anniversary ➡️ What is Randal Clark up to ➡️ His upcoming music ➡️ Showing Cannonball sax he’s currently using ➡️ His set-up ➡️ Where can you check his work and music 🎷 A Huge THANK YOU to Our Amazing Patrons! ✨ Your support means the world to us! Because of you, we can continue creating and sharing incredible saxophone content. When you become a Patron, you're not just supporting the show—you’re joining a passionate community of saxophonists, professionals, and enthusiasts. Plus, you get exclusive perks, including: 🎷 Full access to our ever-growing episode archive 🎥 Bonus behind-the-scenes videos 📜 Searchable transcripts for every episode 🎧 Early access to new episodes—hear them before anyone else! 🎶 Exclusive NAMM Show content—interviews, performances & highlights first! And there’s even more coming—we can’t wait to share it with you! 💡 Be our Patreon for as little as $2 a month and be part of something bigger. 

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Andy Lutz, from ProTec Style Company, at the NAMM Show 2025 in Anaheim, CA.   When you buy a new sax, the case it comes with is usually fine… but not always ideal, especially for traveling. While cases have improved over the years, many still aren’t built for the demands of air travel.   The Protec compact bari sax case fits most baritone saxophone makes and models, including both low A and low Bb versions. The exterior is made from durable, weather-resistant 1680 ballistic nylon with reinforced stitching. Inside, the case features a shock-absorbing wood frame to protect the instrument. It has a padded handle wrap and durable rope handles for easy carrying, as well as a non-slip adjustable shoulder strap for comfortable transport. The case also includes a large front pocket for accessories and an in-bell storage pouch for the neck and mouthpiece.   Here's what we've talked about:  🎷Protec’s latest compact bari sax case 🎷Prototype 🎷Other products 🎷2 piece bass clarinet case prototype  A huge THANK YOU to our amazing Patreons! ✨ Your support means the world to us and fuels everything we do. Because of you, we can keep creating, innovating, and bringing even more exciting content your way. When you become a Patron, you’re not just supporting the show—you’re joining an exclusive community of passionate saxophone professionals, players, and enthusiasts who get incredible perks, including: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else! Exclusive NAMM Show content: interviews, performances, and highlights—see it first as a Patron! Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come, and we can’t wait to share it with you And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Melvin Quinones, Founder of Victory Musical Instruments, and inventor of the World’s First ‘Screwless’ Saxophone! Victory Musical Instruments has gained recognition among musicians and dealers for its craftsmanship and performance. During the interview, Quinones discussed the meticulous design process and the motivation behind creating a ‘screwless’ saxophone—an idea born from his deep understanding of musicians’ needs and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of instrument design. Can’t wait to share this one! If you love game-changing innovations, you’ll want to tune in! We covered: 🎷 Featuring the screwless saxophone 🎷 Why it’s good for those who travel with their saxophone 🎷 Does being screwless have a great impact on its weight? 🎷 Dominating the global market 🎷 Does Sweetwater carry all their models? 🎷 Upcoming projects A huge THANK YOU to our amazing Patreons! ✨ Your support means the world to us and fuels everything we do. Because of you, we can keep creating, innovating, and bringing even more exciting content your way. When you become a Patron, you’re not just supporting the show—you’re joining an exclusive community of passionate saxophone professionals, players, and enthusiasts who get incredible perks, including: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else! Exclusive NAMM Show content: interviews, performances, and highlights—see it first as a Patron! Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come, and we can’t wait to share it with you And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed CEO of Bari Woodwinds, Ron Van Ostenbridge, live at the NAMM Show 2025. If you’re a saxophonist, you know that the right gear can make all the difference. This year at the NAMM Show 2025, Donna had the incredible opportunity to meet with the CEO of Bari Woodwinds for an exclusive interview on my podcast. They dove deep into their newest innovation—the Cobalt Reeds—and more. If you’re as excited about these innovations as I am, you won’t want to miss this episode where we talked about: Bari’s newest cobalt reed It’s characteristics It’s strength availability How is the strength compared to other brands What inspired them to create the cobalt reed How long can it last if used on a daily basis How to tell if the reed has already died Is rotating reeds necessary Demo with Jason Arce What does Jason think of the newest reed from Bari Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? When you become a Patron, you’re not just supporting the show—you’re joining an exclusive community of passionate saxophone professionals, players, and enthusiasts who get incredible perks, including: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—hear them before anyone else! Exclusive NAMM Show content: interviews, performances, and highlights—see it first as a Patron! Your support doesn’t just unlock these amazing benefits—it powers the show! From video storage and production to hosting and distribution, every contribution helps us keep bringing you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Saxophonist and Educator, Jeremiah True, live at the NAMM Show 2025.  With a diverse background spanning orchestral, jazz, theater pits, and rock ‘n roll, Jeremiah True brings a wealth of experience and artistry to every performance.  P. Mauriat instruments are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, innovative technology, and timeless beauty. Each instrument is meticulously handmade by experienced technicians, using only premium materials such as high-quality French brass. Through an intricate process of hand-hammering and casting, P. Mauriat creates instruments with unparalleled resonance, offering players a uniquely rich and expressive sound. Musicians who play P. Mauriat instruments can expect excellent responsiveness, a warm and melodic tone, precise intonation, and fast key action that elevates their performance to the next level. To know more about Jeremiah along with other resources in this episode, head on to our website. In this episode, Donna and Jeremiah dive into: P. Mauriat’s latest model - ‘Venus’ for alto and tenor saxophones Does copper alloy affect the weight that much? The new P. Mauriat artists Is changing your set-up necessary when playing different styles of music? Why Jeremiah True loves the Rousseau 3.0 mouthpiece Rolled vs. drawn tone holes - how they affect your sound P. Mauriat’s Touring Case And more!  Unlock Exclusive Access and Keep the Show Alive! When you become a Patron, you join an inner circle who get to enjoy exclusive perks like: A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content Searchable transcripts for every episode Early access to episodes—before anyone else! Exclusive NAMM Show content, including interviews, performances, and highlights—watch it first as a Patron! Your support doesn’t just get you these amazing benefits; it keeps the show running! From video storage and production to hosting and distribution, your contribution fuels it all. And the best part? It starts at just $2 a month! 💡 Ready to be part of something big? Head over to our PATREON site today and be a part of the community!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Don Braden for Episode 234.  We talked about:  His early experiences with the saxophone and his first gigs The creation of the Earth Wind and Wonder album His journey to mastering improvisation, including studying the Aebersold books His transition to becoming a professional musician Memorable stories about Wynton Marsalis and Freddie Hubbard, and their influence on his playing All about the melody How his bandmates put their own stamp on the music The surprising role of real, wholesome food in supporting the health of musicians And more! Don Braden has toured globally for over 40 years, leading his own ensembles on saxophone and flute, performing as a special guest, and working with jazz legends like Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, and Freddie Hubbard. A prolific composer, he has released 24 CDs as a leader, contributed to over 80 as a sideman, and created music for film and TV, including Nickelodeon and CBS. His latest album, Earth, Wind and Wonder, Volume 2, is available on his website, Spotify, and Bandcamp. As a world-renowned educator, Braden directs the Harvard Jazz Combo Initiative, teaches at the Prins Claus Conservatoire, and leads the Litchfield Jazz Camp and Texas Jazz and Blues Camp. He has also earned awards like the Doris Duke Foundation’s New Works composer’s award and judged prestigious music competitions. Braden endorses the Antigua ProOne tenor saxophone, JodyJazz DV NY mouthpiece, and D’Addario Reserve reeds. For his complete bio, visit our website for this episode saxophonepodcast.com. Be our Patreon!  If you're loving the show, consider supporting us to keep these amazing episodes coming! For just $2 a month, you'll gain access to searchable episode transcripts, bonus videos packed with extra tips and content, a complete podcast directory, and the chance to suggest future guests. Head to our Patreon page for more info and join the community that makes it all possible!

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Mark Overton, Founder of SaxQuest and the National Saxophone Museum. Mark Overton started Saxquest in 2000 with a vision of creating a mecca for saxophone players to find great equipment, share knowledge/learn about their instrument and engage in safe honest transactions with a knowledgeable sales staff in both a brick & mortar retail store and over the Internet.  This vision has led to the creation of two ventures, a retail store front-repair shop, with their online store at www.saxquest.com,  along with a social media website for saxophone players at www.saxophone.org.  Mark has been active in the St. Louis jazz scene since 1993 and founded Code Blue, a Jazz Messengers style sextet and the Saxquest 9-piece Jazz Orchestra.  Mark has performed with many jazz ensembles such as the Allegro Jazz Ensemble, Original Knights of Swing, as well as classical ensembles such as the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Louis Youth Symphony, St. Louis Wind Symphony, and others. Saxquest, a family-run business for over 25 years in St Louis, is a woodwind pro-shop specializing in both vintage and new professional model saxophones and clarinets.  Located on the 2nd floor of the shop, the Saxquest Saxophone Museum showcases a huge collection of many of the finest, rarest and most historically significant saxophones in the world as well as a collection of vintage saxophone accessories and other historical saxophone memorabilia.  The museum is free and open to the public and is a real treasure for the music lover or the eclectic museum goer. The link to Mark’s full Bio, as well as the background information on SaxQuest and the Museum is on our site at https://saxophonepodcast.com Along with getting an overview and tour of the Museum and the SaxQuest shop, we also talked about: The influence of Conn Music in schools Conn experimental horns New invention saxophone Lost Wax mouthpieces How metal mouthpieces started Working on vintage horns Instrument Handling Tips and much more! Timestamps: 00:00 Museum and repair shop overview 05:38 Discussion on St. Louis and connections 12:47 The influence of Conn music in schools 17:12 The Conn Family Bible 23:15 Conn experimental horns 30:18 New invention saxophone 33:15 Lost Wax mouthpieces 38:05 How metal mouthpieces started 40:01 Other unique saxophones 46:02 Exploring the museum and repair shop 49:31 Working on vintage horns 56:33 Instrument Handling Tips 57:39 Case Design Considerations 01:00:50 Long-term Instrument Care 01:02:41 Innovative Drying Solutions 01:03:40 Swab Recommendations 01:07:37 Overview of the Repair Shop   This show was proudly sponsored by the Improvisation Made Easy Elite Coaching Program. If you’re a saxophonist with some experience playing (and a little improvising), and you just don’t know what and how to practice to get better at improvisation,  CLICK HERE to book your Free Strategy Session call to get clarity on your next steps.   Expert saxophone tips straight from top players! 🎷 Our Patreon supporters enjoy access to exclusive advice and insights from the many incredible saxophonists featured on our show - content you won’t find anywhere else! Support the show and gain access to these hidden gems. Learn more on our Patreon site today!  

Saxophonist Mark Hartsuch has differentiated himself by producing amazing horn section recordings and live performances for the world’s top artists. He is most well known for working with India’s top music director, AR Rahman, both in live performance and studio productions. His other collaborations include Ranjit Barot, Mohini Dey, Mr. Eazi, Cece Winans, Bebe Winans, TV networks such as Disney and AE, and others.   Mark attended the University of North Texas where he performed in the Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band on Lab 2014 and Lab 2015. Mark is most known for being the founding member, primary composer and arranger of the Dallas Horns, a 3-piece horn section that specializes in tight, funky horn lines. In 2017, the Dallas Horns traveled to India and performed with legendary Indian musicians Louiz Banks, Gino Banks, Rhythm Shaw and others. They also served as the Horn section for the Grammy and Oscar winning artist, AR Rahman. The group also traveled to Qatar for the first and only performance held prior to the 2022 World Cup. Mark’s newest album, India Jazz Casual, is available on Bandcamp HERE. Mark Hartsuch is an endorsed artist with JodyJazz Mouthpieces, Gard Bags, Roland Instruments (AE-30).  Get access to Mark's links on our site: https://saxophonepodcast.com TIMESTAMPS   00:00 His introduction to music and how it became his solace 07:44 Differences in trumpet and saxophone playing styles 10:35 Transitioning to professional music 13:40 Experiencing the music industry 20:15 How he got into Indian music 27:20 The different vibe and swing in India 37:15 Mark’s standard of knowing a jazz standard 38:50 How Indian musicians play over the bar line 43:33 Music for musicians vs for the people 45:17 The challenge of balancing artistic integrity 48:31 Changes in popular music trends 51:17 Timelessness of classic songs 54:41 Interplay between melody and color using the song All of Me 56:10 Function of a horn arrangement 01:00:00 3 tenets of great musicians 01:01:06 Developing a full-stack show 01:03:49 The economics of performing 01:07:28 The reality of live performances 01:15:00 Advice for musicians 01:26:14 The intricacy that involves music production 01:34:58 The financial realities of music 01:43:39 The reality of the music industry 01:54:23 Pedagogical approaches to teaching 01:56:14 Developing a comfortable setup 01:59:16 The role of voicing in playing 02:05:42 Understanding air pressure in playing 02:06:29 The role of tongue position in playing 02:12:04 The role of doodle tonguing 02:21:28 The role of the oral cavity in sound production 02:24:34 The importance of enclosures in Bebop and the role of chromatic passing tones 02:33:43 Upcoming Performances and Collaborations 02:36:59 The Decision to Move to Nashville   This show was sponsored by the Improvisation Made Easy Elite Coaching Program. If you’re a saxophonist with some experience improvising, and you just don’t know what and how to practice to get better at improvisation, Click HERE to book your Free Strategy Session call to get clarity on your next steps.