Category: General

Musicians everywhere are out of work for a month or more because of the ongoing health crisis and COVID-19 outbreak. All tours, all festivals and all performances have been cancelled for weeks or possibly longer. Many of the day-jobs that musicians rely on for more reliable income have also been put on hold. 

This situation is hard on everyone but ‘working from home’ is not really as viable of an option for musicians. In a matter of days everyone with already difficult financial situations essentially became completely unemployed. So please, if you can send extra support to your favorite musicians. Here are some ways you can help:

• Purchase their album. Don’t stream – as only cents are delivered to the artist from streaming. If possible purchase directly from the artist or through artist friendly sites like bandcamp.com
• Purchase their Merch. Musicians often have things for sale other than albums, books, etudes, sheet music, shirts etc. Again purchasing direct is best
• Take an online lesson! Pretty much every working musician has opened up their online teaching studio. If there was any musician you wanted to have a lesson with, now is the time! If there’s anyone on this site you’d like to connect with contact us and we’ll be happy to put you in touch.
  • There is a list of musicians offering online instruction being compiled currently.
• Many musicians and bands are doing live stream performances or masterclasses. Consider watching, they are either free (donation suggested) or low cost.
• Consider commissioning a musician to write a song, arrangement, cover, or create a recording for you. Many musicians have home studios setup and can multi-track recordings.
• If you are a NYC based musician, fill out this survey from the city.
• Hire a musician! If you have work available, see if performing artists affected by everything can be hired to fill temporary positions or jobs.
• Donate to a musician relief fund. MusicCares has set up a relief fund and others are sure to follow.
• Donate directly to musicians if you like what they do and want to support them.
• If you are so inclined, contact local, state, and federal political representatives and encourage them to include free-lance and performing artists in relief packages.

For all of you saxophonists at home with unexpected extra alone time, check out our videos page and transcription repository.

Stay healthy everyone.

Andrew Hadro
Curator, JazzBariSax.com

Yamaha has released their new YBS-480. This will eventually replace the already popular YBS-52 intermediate baritone saxophone. The neck and bore have been altered, supposedly to closer match the professional model YBS-62 and there is a socket for a removable peg on the bottom.

Since this model will most likely be used by students and often younger students the option to rest the horn on a peg will be a welcome addition.

I had a chance to try this new horn in New Orleans in January at the Jazz Education Network conference, and I thought it was excellent. While I personally play a vintage horn I have no problem recommending a Yamaha especially to schools and students. They are tanks and can take a lot of abuse and still function very well. They are priced appropriately and are very consistent from horn to horn.

The YBS-52 is a big staple across the world in classrooms and hands of students so the improvements this horn will bring are going to make a big difference to baritone players all over. Kudos to Yamaha! Any attention to the big horn is much appreciated.

Click here to read the full news item on Yamaha’s website.

Check out this excellent footage of a young Pepper Adams performing “Sophisticated Lady” with Lionel Hampton. Nice chance to see Pepper a bit earlier than usual – still sounding great!

I have added our second Frank Basile transcription to the repository. This time from his album “Pepper Adams: Complete Compositions, Vol 4” on the Pepper Adams composition A Winter’s Tale.

I’d like to thank Anthony Pellegrini for sending this one in!

Head over to the Transcription repository and check it out!

The Jazz Profiles blog has posted a very in depth and interesting article on Gary Smulyan‘s latest album, “Alternative Contrafacts“

The post is worth a read and the album is definitely worth a listen. I think this is one of Gary’s best albums, especially in trio format.

Head on over and read the article to learn more about contrafacts and Gary’s album.

Baritonist, Kenny Berger has let us know about an upcoming gig he has in New York City.

Kenny Berger and New Tricks will be playing Thursday September 5th from 6-8pm at Silvana (300 w. 116th St NY, NY 10026)

Rounding out the band is alto saxophonist David Bixler, Chip Jackson on bass and Chuck Zeuren on drums. If you’re in or around NYC this is a great choice for a nice evening of live jazz.

Owen Broder has kindly sent in an additional transcription for the repository. This one is from be-bop master, Cecil Payne, on the great tune, “Scrapple From the Apple”. Head over to give it a download!