The Saxophone History Podcast

In this episode we'll examine Rollins' efforts to get clean and his remarkable triumph over his addiction. We'll also look at his time with the Clifford Brown/Max Roach group as well as some of his most classic albums.

In part two I cover Rollins' ascent in jazz greatness and his fall into the depravity of addiction.

I this first episode of my series on Sonny Rollins we'll look at his early life and family roots in the Caribbean as well as his earliest musical influences and formative playing experiences.

In this episode I'll examine the life and times of Sigurd Raschèr, one of the first major soloists on the saxophone. I'll dive into his legacy in terms of the repertoire he generated, his advances to the altissimo register, and his general "school of playing," as well as some really interesting facts along the way. Sources and links at http://www.andrewdmeyer.com

In the second part of the Lester Young story I'll take you through the highs of commercial and critical success as well as the the lows of military service and alcoholism. Lester Young lived a hard life with a less than pleasant end but left a lasting musical legacy that is easily found in many players today.

In this first episode on Lester Young I'll look at Young's early life and career, including his work in territory bands and his role in the development of the Kansas City Sound. Also, his time with Fletcher Henderson and early recordings with Basie and lifelong friend Billie Holiday.

In this third and final episode on the life and times of Paul Desmond, I'll look at the explosion of fame for the Brubeck Quartet, largely because of Take Five, Life after Brubeck, and Desmond's final years.

In this episode I look at how Desmond methodically weaseled his way back into Brubeck's good graces, got scammed by a woman claiming to be very wealthy, got run out of Reno, and recorded his first sides as a leader. Also, I'll discuss the formation of the classic Brubeck Quartet and the early Colombia recordings.

In the first episode of this three part look at the life of Paul Desmond I'll dive into Paul's somewhat unusual upbringing, his struggles to fit in in the military, early career as a saxophonist, and his fraught relationship with Dave Brubeck. Desmond was such an interesting character and his early playing was quite different from the style we mostly associate with him. I think it's really interesting to dive deep into what made him into the alto icon that we know him as!

Rabbit, Jeep, and Squatty Roo! Did you know that Johnny Hodges topped the alto category in the Downbeat polls for ten years straight? Did you know that he hired and fired a young John Coltrane? Did you know he owned a pet monkey? In this episode we look at the life and career of Johnny Hodges, which also means taking a close look at Duke Ellington and his orchestra. Johnny Hodges was one of the most influential and most popular saxophonists of all time and left a huge legacy.