Responses to Sounding “Young” (from 9/14)

    1.     Negrodeath says: 
May 27, 2015 at 4:39 am 


Personally, I enjoy both approaches (exhuberant and zen-like) – it depends on what it comes out of it. Maybe it’s just because of my fondness for rock music and its theatrics. Still I think your advice has been good, because a young musicians should first of all focus on the development of his solo. You can overplay later, if you want too, but don’t concentrate on pleasing with overplay while learning.
One nasty question: what’s your take on James Carter? Personally, I love his music and playing as much as yours, and I couldn’t think of two more different musicians!  




    2.     Greg Osby says: 
June 4, 2015 at 8:47 pm


I’ve played extensively with James with the World Saxophone Quartet and can honestly say that he is absolutely the loudest saxophone player that I have ever heard or played with. He certainly knows how to project his sound. James has also put in a considerable amount of time studying the styles and approaches of several masters who are completely overlooked these days – Ben Webster, Illinois Jaquet, Gene Ammons, Arnett Cobb, Coleman Hawkins, etc. Knowing these styles gives him broader reference and a sonic and conceptual advantage when playing songs from specific eras and especially ballads. He’s a true fan of the instrument and I have a great deal of respect for him.




    3.     Negrodeath says: 
June 18, 2015 at 3:47 am 


Great! I was asking ’bout James since I often read complains about him, that he’s an exhibitionist and an overplayer etc. Complains that sound superficial and superficially may remember the advices you’ve given the young sax player.
About James’ study of Webster, Ammons Cobb, Byas, Thompson: that’s the first reason I loved his music the first time I heard it. I love the big-toned Hawkins-rooted saxophone players, a way of playing which is a bit too much forgotten nowadays.




    4.     Peter Wisely says: 
August 7, 2015 at 11:54 am 


Hi Greg, I’ve read trough your posts and each one is awesome, I find myself taking a step back after reading them and reevaluating my own playing. I don’t play the saxophone but I do play and certain times when I feel that I am lacking the “words” to say I revert to a showboat tendency. But I’ve also noticed that seasoned players can do this as well what would be a way to avoid this or avoid playing to many choruses, should one replay a part that they have already done? I know that the ideal answer would be learn and practice more parts, but at times I can find myself blanking out and not knowing what to play.