I love the sound of a saxophone & the effects it produces. We have Adolphe Sax to thank for this. Sax began making instruments and was considered an expert by the age of 6. Think about that compared to what an average kindergarten student is capable of. By the age of 15 he was appointed by the King as the official instrument maker for the Belgian Army Band. By 20, he invented the bass clarinet. He did away with the holes in the clarinet of his day and replaced them with keys. Sax took notice to something missing in the sound of the Army band and that the brasses were overpowering the woodwinds. He wanted to invent an instrument producing a sound that would combine the power of a trumpet with the subtle woodwind tone of the clarinet to fill the missing element. Sax’s creation was an instrument that is vibrating and powerful, yet soft and easy to lower in intensity. Originally called the saxhorn, his success is known today as the saxophone. The sax is actually considered a woodwind instrument and is played very similar to the clarinet; however, it is made of brass. It is the only woodwind that is not made of wood.
    I witnessed some unexpected, yet thoroughly enjoyable horn playing this past week. I headed to Seacrets to hear Reel Big Fish. I was familiar with their music, but had never seen them live. They put on a great show! The band sported a sax, trombone and two trumpets. From the intense energy to the zealous garb they wore, they are definitely entertainers. The crowd reminded me of old school concerts. Almost every spectator in the packed night club shouted every word to their sarcastic, yet hilarious lyrics and struggled for a spot near the stage. Most of the music played was originals. They did play one song that many locals would prefer not to hear due to it being drastically overplayed. I hesitate to say that I enjoyed their rendition of “Brown Eyed Girl.”
    To further my gratification with the evening was the opening band, Lionz of Zion. I expected a quintessential reggae band based on their name. Well, never judge a book by its cover or a band by their name because they were far from conventional. The music itself combined an avant-garde integration of rock, R&B, pop & reggae being played with superb talent. Both bands gave each band member front stage for a solo which I applaud.
    If you have been a regular reader of my article, you know how much I love jazz and blues. Indifferent of the genre, add a saxophone and it adds a magical touch and changes the entire mood. If you don’t believe me, ask Elwood Bishop, John Remy or Bob Wilkinson. These musicians possess fabulous skills in their own right, but on certain nights play with OC’s best sax player, Joe Jacinto, known to most as Joe Smooth. Joe plays alongside many local bands and musicians, but most often with John Remy as a duo and also with John, OC Honu and Edward Smullen in a band that call themselves 2 Much Stuff. This musical group has upcoming performances at 45th St. Taphouse this Sat. and Jive on 7/27. Joe also plays with Elwood Bishop in a band called No Byscuyts who can be heard each Sun. at 2nd St. Poolbar. In addition, Joe & Bob Wilkinson can be heard each Mon. at Coconuts. The blissful sound of Joe’s exceptional saxophone mastery can take you to a new dimension of sound and sensation regardless of his fellow band members.
    Another good bet is to get out and see Blake Haley at the Angler the next two Thursdays.  This Sat., his band called Haleytown can be seen at The Pour House.  I’ll see you there.
    “As a horn player, the greatest compliment one can get is when a person comes to you and says, 'I heard this saxophone on the radio the other day and I knew it was you. I don't know the song, but I know it was you on sax.'” – Clarence Clemons