Forum of the Saxes

Tonehole · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:00 pm Post subject: Gotta blow........

Hello all, I am a Jazz performance student attending McGill University..... born and raised in Toronto.

Background:
Studied piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music from age 5 to 11, reached Grade 7 standing then quit. Gave up piano to study Bb clarinet, was hard core classical. Studied at University Settlement House. Did the Chamber music, ensemble and Toronto Youth Symphony thing. Did a lot of Bass clarinet as well.

In middle school I acquired a 10M Conn so I could play in Stage Band. Still preferred the Clarinet, big into Benny and Woody, heavy into Dixieland.
At 13 auditioned for the Toronto All Star Big Band, did my clarinet stuff and then they asked me if I played Alto ... I said yes so they handed me one and said play it. So I did, didn't do too bad for 1st time picking up an alto horn! Got the gig and played with them until I left for University.
Studied saxophone while in High School, attending The Humber College Jazz Out Reach Program, attended various Jazz Camps and was selected for the Yamaha Big Band at the National Music Fest. Won some golds a few scholarships, and awards.
Auditioned for Claude Watson School of the Arts in grade 10 and was accepted. Fast tracked and graduated after grade-12, was accepted to McGill.
Won the Canadian IAJE Scholarship for WoodWinds. On my submission CD I played, Bb & Bass clarinet, soprano, alto, tenor and bari saxophone.
Have worked the past 3 summers for Long & McQuade at the National warehouse play testing, cleaning and setting up instruments. This summer I started on dent removal and minor repairs.

Hobby ... I Buy sell and trade mouthpieces and instruments.

Equipment:
Bb nickel plated LeBlanc Concerto , Gigglioti #3 mpc.
Selmer Series 9 Bass Clarinet, Gergory #5 mpc.
Yani Elmona soprano sax, Selmer Supper Session J mpc
Selmer SBA alto sax, Meyer LTD NY 6M mpc
Selmer Series III tenor sax (French model, no engraving), with a vintage Paris Selmer Mark VI solid silver neck, Slant OttO LinK 7* on the table, kissed by Doc Tenney
A Yamaha 62 and Selmer silver plated SBA bari sax, Selmer Soloist C* for classical and Berg long table slant signature 130 hard rubber Berg mpc for BB and straight ahead jazz

I'm a Trane, Chris Potter, Gonz, Bergonzi, Brecker follower at present! I like to play around Twisted Evil

Looks like a great site ..... glad to join!

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Gotta Blow.........

Thomas · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 223 Location: Alberta, Canada

Hey there, and welcome to Forum of the Saxes! It's good to have someone here of your experience and facility, and it will no doubt be invaluable to the other members here. Hope you stick around! Cool

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Thomas Hay
Sax player, music student, composer, Finale user, and part-time slacker/procrastinator.

Bariman · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:51 pm Post subject:

Welcome, very glad to have you.

Bariman
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Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

JPSaxMan · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject:

Welcome!

But you make me jealous with all the nice horns you have... Twisted Evil

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JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Tonehole · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 12:53 pm Post subject:

JP, my father taught me the rules of acquisition at a very young age, Never pay the retail price, and when you buy something make sure you can sell it for more then you paid for it or you are paying too much.
My Dad paid $1600.00 CDN for my 10M tenor sold it for $2,000.00 a year later. Bought a used Series II for $2,200.00 CDN and we sold that 2 years later for $2,900.00 CDN. Bought my new Series III from a store going bankrupt in Switzerland for $2,200.00 US ($3,000.00 CDN) about 6 years ago. So I have $1,900.00 CDN ($1,500.00US) invested in that horn. All my gear has been acquired in similar fashion. I was even able to buy a new Yamaha 62 bari last fall for under $3,800.00 CDN tax's in. I used to be a regular fixture in all the music shops in Toronto when I was in school, always talking to the repair guys.
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Gotta Blow.........