Well, today is a day near and dear to my heart as it also is to many of my sax-playing associates. It is National Saxophone Day! Celebrating the birth of its inventor, Adolph Sax. He applied for the patent for the sax on July 28th of 1846. Meeting the saxophone was one of the luckiest days of my life for sure.

Since today is a special day for myself and many other instrumentalists, here is a tribute to Adolph Sax, the Great Grandfather of one of my true loves. Also, with Veteran's Day right around the corner, I definitely dedicate this posting to all the vets among us who have "done time" serving in the U.S. military. Hope you like my version - performed 10 years ago on a balmy Valentine's Night in Destin.

Happy National Sax Day!

Enjoy your celebration day. Haha

Granddaughter started learning it thru school. Wasn’t for her.

Now the 10 year old grandson has decided to give it a go. Hopefully he’ll stay with it.

Randy, Outstanding!! Wonderful interpretation! Happy National Saxophone Day!

WOW, I got goosebumps!
Enjoyed it a lot, and wish I could treat a Saxophone like that.
Probably about 50 years ago or so, I did try a tenor sax and when finally managed get some sort of sound out off it,
the people close by all that sudden was not as friendly listeners anymore...
End of that carriere, but I regret I did not continue.

Thanks Guys and Rikki! The sax is truly a wonderful invention. Adolf had "17 different varieties" at the beginning... love the sound and the fun of playing it!

That was beyond fantastic. Probably the best thing I've heard on Synthzone....ever (except maybe your version of Autumn Leaves). This definitely goes into my permanent playlist (along with Capt Russ' 'What are you doing the rest of my life'). Unless you're on life support, I just can't imagine you retiring. Again, beautiful rendition.

chas

Were those fake canned applause at the end and a backing track in use or?
people looked like they were just walking buy
not paying attention to this great song
and performer. Nice find.
I should of read the post first...I just did..
Thought it was just a random YouTube video honestly didn't know it was you playing.

Chas - thanks so much for the kind kind words! Playing a gig like this in a noisy busy environment does not offer the highest level of inspiration to me, but performing a song like this definitely makes up for it. I am most grateful for your ever so kind thoughts - this arrangement is a wonderful one and of course the song is a beautiful melody and is always a joy to play! So thanks so much again Chas for the listen and the kind words on my playing!

.

Donny - wow. What can I say? For the guy out front who's always asking people to post their stuff on this forum....that's the very best you can do? Really Donny? Not even sure how to begin to answer your "questions" (or were they intentional insults?). Ok...here goes:

-There was no fake applause. Sorry to disappoint you on that Donny, but there was a crowd of nearly 100 people seated on the lawn behind my wife who filmed the song

-Yep, I used a backing track! A great one at that! Love that arrangement.

-Yes, people were indeed walking by. Sadly, that's the nature of "entertainment" when vacationers are "vacationing"...kids on trampolines, folks getting food, and buying crafts. Yep, that's the gig I was hired to play! And of course I was happy to play the gig. That's how it is here in Florida for entertainers. Just sayin'.

-To your last point, "Nice Find". Wow. Not even sure I understand that comment. Yes, the fuzzy "out of focus" guy holding the saxophone was indeed ME. And the sounds coming from the sax were indeed MINE as well. No "find" employed here. The video can be found on my website.

My only final thought for you, in summing up the total of your "contribution" is that I really do feel sorry for you Donny.

Happy National Sax Day!

Randy no disrespect intended.... Had no idea you recorded it... Sorry if you were offended... The recording gave me that impression maybe cause I listened on my cell phone..
I apologize.

Donny - I'm sorry too. But apology not accepted in this case. You really need to think about who you are and if that's who you REALLY want to be. I used to look up to you and liked you. Sorry Man, those feelings are rapidly slipping away. You are such a negative energy source! WHY?

If you REALLY want people to post things, what makes you immediately go negative? WHY?

Same situation on the SX900. Look, if my neighbor bought a new car and I didn't care for that brand, would I really say "GOOD LUCK"? REALLY? Nope...I would say - "Enjoy that new ride". Why is it that you cannot treat others as you hope they will treat you in return? WHY?

OK man, off soapbox. But to be honest, that song is personal to me. I spent 44.5 years supporting the Air Force (22 years of it on active duty) and my soul went into that recording. Your insults won't ever change the way I felt when I played it then, or when I play it in the future.

Randy... I said my peace. I apologized also.
If that is not enough so be it.
We will talk no longer.

Rikki - do your best to encourage your grandson to give it a fair trial. I assure you if he gives it a chance, he will grow to really enjoy playing the sax!

TASTY!

R.

VERY well done, Randy
Thanks for posting ...

Russ and Tony - thanks guys! I am 10 years older now, but the soul is still red, white and blue! Crazy place to have to showcase one's talent but that is Florida. Thanks for watching/listening and helping celebrate National Sax Day!

In Dinant, Belgium (Adolf Sax's birthplace) they celebrate every year. On the river that runs through the town, they sponsor a "Gathering of 1,000 sax players" - not on my "Bucket List" but it seems like it would be fun. I saw a video of one of the celebrations and it was pretty crazy! I'm sure Adolf was looking down with a smile!

Thanks again!

Incredibly done Randy.

Thanks Sparky! Definitely appreciate it!

I agree with Chas. I enjoyed it immensely myself. A great song to celebrate National Saxophone Day, too.
Chris

Hi Randy,
that was awesome. I didn’t get a chance to listen to it till just now. I was only doing quick posts this morning while getting ready to go out.

Really enjoyed it . Did you mention Autumn Leaves??

Thanks Chris and Rikki for the listen and the kind words! I really think the arrangement added some nice emotion to the song which is as it should be.

Tis a shame many of the crowd were "doing their own thing" but these days, instrumentalists are often taken for granted. Earlier last Spring I saw a world class jazz trio (Keyboard w/pedals, saxman, and drummer) in Disney World and only about 5 of us were mesmerized - the other 100 people directly in front of them were too busy on their phones, tablets, and rushing from here to there to even look. But that's the life of vacationing in FL I suppose.

Thanks to you both for the listen and the kind words!

A number of people are plain rude. Nothing much you can do I suppose.

Thanks, Randy:

A nice way to celebrate National Saxophone Day! The "setting" was not ideal and yes, the "audience" appeared to be a bit distracted.

I never cease to be amazed at how folks seem to be "growing" cell phones... always attached to their hands or ears. Mankind (and Womankind)... being dumbed-down by "smart phones"... LOL!

Enjoyed your playing... and playing style. Remarkable.

----Dave

Thank you Dave! This place sponsors open air concerts with lawn seating but the resort is always packed on holidays with folks whether they are there for the entertainment or for the other fun stuff. I was glad to be part of it all. Thanks for listening and the kind words on my playing! Love the sax for sure!

Just thinking about guys like Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Paul Desmond, John Coltrane, Kenny G., etc., etc., etc. and wondering what their lives would have been if the Saxophone had never been invented; what music would never have come into being. That prompted me to google Adolphe Sax and wow, what a story his turned out to be. I won't post a link as there are many excellent articles and bio's out there to choose from. One sad (but familiar) note; he died penniless. So glad you posted this Randy, it certainly added to my musical education.

chas

I must admit, I just got around to opening this post, because I didn't think I would be interested in "Sax Day". I probably wouldn't have ever read it if DNJ hadn't mentioned to me on the phone about how great it sounded.
As others said, it is fantastic. I have played in these situations where people are really there for other reasons. The casinos are a great example. Probably 500 people walk by, look and nod. But there will be at least a handful who will stop and listen and appreciate what they see and hear, and that makes it worthwhile.
By the way, Donny feels bad about hurting your feelings; I know he didn't mean to. Maybe he'll learn from it.

Thanks Don for the kind words and also for the sentiments on the fun of playing for folks in unpredictable environments. Definitely appreciate the listen and your kind words! There were plenty of folks there who came to hear the music but this place packs crowds, especially on holidays.

I really love SZ and the potential benefits of knowledge sharing. I was going to suggest a "Tune of the Month" topic where we appoint a different "Picker" each month and they select the song, and those who care to can create their own version of the tune and post it to show a variety of interpretations. Hopefully that would get more of the folks out here into posting their work. They do this on a Sax Forum I am in and it is a blast and you really hear some unusual treatments of the songs.

Thanks again for the kindness from Cajun Country!

Great idea!

Not to defend Donny, but I've known him for many years through forums, phone calls, etc. and quite frankly I've been somewhat concerned about his well being due to the tone and temperament of some of his recent posts.
Going back and reading his initial response - which he has edited to explain himself - I had the feeling he did not know it was Randy playing and in his initial response seemed to be chiding the audience for not paying attention to as he said "this great song and performer" ...
FWIW ... which may be nothing ...

And I fully understand Randy's reaction and response ...

Agree. Don't lose friendship because of this. Life is short and we all mean well.

The "Tune of the Month" sounds like a great idea ... Unfortunately similar ideas in the past just never got off the ground ... but who knows - there's a time for everything, right ?

Tony agreed, never know what might generate enthusiasm these days. I will be in if the TOTM gets going again.

Thanks again to all who listened and for your kind words - and now...

Happy Veteran's Day weekend to all you (us) VETS! Thanks for your service to our country!

++1
US Army Reserves - Armor
Sgt E-5 Tank Commander

Happy Veterans Day

Way to go Tony! Thanks for your service Man!

Happy V-Day!