Forum of the Saxes

jules · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 63 Location: brighton- uk

I'm a huge fan of vintage horns, the idea that they have already had a long and, hopefully, noble career appeals to me, as does getting something decent on the cheap!
during band practice a couple of days ago one of the other guys commented on my battered old sax and, being extemely tired at the time, i didn't really give a decent reason for my choice of horn.
Up pipes the keyboard player with this ramble- "I can see the appeal. Just image somtime in the early 1950s, maybe in New york or London, the rain is pouring down and Charlie Parker- or Art Pepper- or someone of that ilk ruches into a shop with their raincoat up over their heads.- 'i'm here to try out saxes', 'sure sir, we've got this one in stock'- your very own sax is pulled out from it's cabinet by the shop assistant- moments later the spirit that infused the work of one of these great men moves through your horn, the room is filled with the the free flowing genius that we associate with their work. your very own sax is brought to life by the breath and soul of Charlie Parker- the rain beats down on the window, the shopkeeper stands tranfixed- poetry is spontaneously writen and hangs in the air.... Parker turns to the man, puts the sax down on the counter...........'piece of crap, i'm sticking with my Grafton!' Very Happy

_________________
"Cease this infernal tootling!" Montgomery Burns.

JazZz · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 170

I like the story. My mom (who knows nothing of saxes) was trying to look for pictures of the sax before she bought it (we found no pictures) but we did find a story about how the lead saxist in one of Frank Sinatra's bands played the same model got did from around the same year too. It was quite a thrill to hear that it could be the same one heck, there's a 1 in 9,000 chance it could be.

But relating to your article, that sax must be quite garbage if he thought the Grafton was better haha...
cool concept horns, but they were still plastic O_o

jules · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 63 Location: brighton- uk

MACTENOR · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 7 Location: OHIO

Don`t let uppity keyboard players rain on your parade, they can`t help it , they`re frustrated .... and here`s why.......when they play piano, they have 10 fingers(including thumbs) to cover 88 keys....that`s 8.8 keys per each finger....they could never figure out how to play that .8 key.
Just joking, most keyboard players are good folks who respect other musicians.
Best Regards Mactenor
_________________
Lester Young.....`nuff said