Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Melvin Quinones, Founder of Victory Musical Instruments, and inventor of the World’s First ‘Screwless’ Saxophone! Victory Musical Instruments has gained recognition among musicians and dealers for its craftsmanship and performance. Their instruments are designed with precise intonation …

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed CEO of Bari Woodwinds, Ron Van Ostenbridge, live at the NAMM Show 2025. If you’re a saxophonist, you know that the right gear can make all the difference. This year at the NAMM Show 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to meet with the CEO of Bari Woodwinds […] The post Ron Van Ostenb…

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed CEO of Bari Woodwinds, Ron Van Ostenbridge, live at the NAMM Show 2025. If you’re a saxophonist, you know that the right gear can make all the difference. This year at the NAMM Show 2025, Donna had the incredible opportunity to meet with the CEO of Bari Woodwinds for an exclusive interv…

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Saxophonist and Educator, Jeremiah True, live at the NAMM Show 2025. With a diverse background spanning orchestral, jazz, theater pits, and rock ‘n roll, Jeremiah True brings a wealth of experience and artistry to every performance. He recently concluded an esteemed 21-year career with …

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Saxophonist and Educator, Jeremiah True, live at the NAMM Show 2025. With a diverse background spanning orchestral, jazz, theater pits, and rock ‘n roll, Jeremiah True brings a wealth of experience and artistry to every performance. P. Mauriat instruments are renowned for their exceptio…

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed, Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Don Braden! For over 40 years, Don Braden has toured the world as a leader of his own ensembles on saxophone and flute, as a special guest, and as a sideman with jazz legends such as Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Tony Williams, Roy […]…

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Don Braden for Episode 234. We talked about: His early experiences with the saxophone and his first gigs The creation of the Earth Wind and Wonder album His journey to mastering improvisation, including studying the Aebersold books His transition to beco…

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Mark Overton, Founder of SaxQuest and the National Saxophone Museum. Mark Overton started Saxquest in 2000 with a vision of creating a mecca for saxophone players to find great equipment, share knowledge/learn about their instrument and engage in safe honest transactions with a knowledg…

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Mark Overton, Founder of SaxQuest and the National Saxophone Museum. Mark Overton started Saxquest in 2000 with a vision of creating a mecca for saxophone players to find great equipment, share knowledge/learn about their instrument and engage in safe honest transactions with a knowledg…

This episode is a Masterclass! Saxophonist Mark Hartsuch has differentiated himself by producing amazing horn section recordings and live performances for the world’s top artists. He is most well known for working with India’s top music director, AR Rahman, both in live performance and studio productions. His other collaborations include Ranjit Bar…

Saxophonist Mark Hartsuch has differentiated himself by producing amazing horn section recordings and live performances for the world’s top artists. He is most well known for working with India’s top music director, AR Rahman, both in live performance and studio productions. His other collaborations include Ranjit Barot, Mohini Dey, Mr. Eazi, Cece …

Saxophonist Bennett Wood is a freelance musician, composer, and clinician. He was recently appointed as Director of Jazz Studies at Webster University. He previously held academic appointments at the University of Memphis, Mineral Area College, Texas State University, Texas Lutheran University, and Texas A&M University-Kingsville and served as the …

Internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and educator Kyle Brooks is a rising performer and pedagogue seasoned by and for the modern music industry. Versed in multicultural idioms, Kyle has and continues to work with organizations that regularly present jazz, rock, hip hop, Bollywood, Malayalam, electronic, and salsa music, just to name a f…

Internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and educator Kyle Brooks is a rising performer and pedagogue seasoned by and for the modern music industry. Versed in multicultural idioms, Kyle has and continues to work with organizations that regularly present jazz, rock, hip hop, Bollywood, Malayalam, electronic, and salsa music, just to name a f…

Asha Parkinson is a UK-based saxophonist and composer whose works cross the boundaries of classical, jazz, and world music. Asha was a semi-finalist in the 2016, 2018, and 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competitions. She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with a Bachelor of Music Honors (1st class) […] The post Saxopho…

Denis DiBlasio is a saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger, and Full Professor and Director of the Jazz Performance and Composition Programs at Rowan University. Denis was the Musical Director, composer, and arranger for the Maynard Ferguson Band for 5 years. He is a published author of five texts on jazz improvisation, and a recording artist for…

Denis DiBlasio is a saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger, and Full Professor and Director of the Jazz Performance and Composition Programs at Rowan University. Denis was the Musical Director and composed and arranged for the Maynard Ferguson Band for 5 years. He is a published author of five texts on jazz improvisation, and a recording artist f…

James Brandon Lewis is at the top of the international jazz world. He stands in the tradition of saxophonists such as Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler, and John Coltrane. With his powerful, direct, and rich tenor saxophone sound and a lyrical quality that unfolds in both his solos and his compositions, he is causing a sensation. […] The post Saxophonist…

James Brandon Lewis is at the top of the international jazz world. He stands in the tradition of saxophonists such as Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler and John Coltrane. With his powerful, direct and rich tenor saxophone sound and a lyrical quality that unfolds in both his solos and his compositions, he is causing a sensation. In 2021, the saxophonist a…

Born in Tyler, Texas, and raised in Houston, Theresa Grayson began playing piano and saxophone in fourth grade, building her foundation through church performances from age 12. She studied under renowned musicians and earned degrees in music performance, jazz studies, and music education. Theresa has been a dedicated music educator since the early …

Joyce Spencer, an award-winning saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist from Dallas, Texas, showcases a diverse range of musical styles. Her repertoire spans traditional to contemporary jazz, classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop, and Gospel/Christian. With a background in instrumental music education, Joyce holds a Bachelor of Music Education and …

Joyce Spencer, an award-winning saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist from Dallas, Texas, showcases a diverse range of musical styles. Her repertoire spans traditional to contemporary jazz, classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop, and Gospel/Christian. With a background in instrumental music education, Joyce holds a Bachelor of Music Education and …

Nancy Saenz, aka ‘Lady Woodwind’ started her musical journey at Marshall Jr High School in the heart of Houston’s old barrio Northside. She started on the flute, going to many competitions all over Texas. Nancy was introduced to the saxophone in high school, and quickly excelled, going to many jazz festivals and winning Jazz Musician […] The post S…

Nancy Saenz, aka ‘Lady Woodwind’. Started her musical journey at Marshall Jr High School in the heart of Houston’s old barrio Northside. She started on flute, going to many competitions all over Texas. Nancy was introduced to the saxophone in high school, and quickly excelled, going to many jazz festivals and winning Jazz Musician of the Year. Nanc…

Allana Southerland Prince started playing clarinet in Middle school. She loved music so much, she added saxophone, piano, and flute to the mix. She went to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts for High School and that’s where she knew she had a passion for music. Allana graduated from the University of North Florida with […] The post Saxophonist All…

Allana Southerland Prince started playing clarinet in Middle school. She loved music so much, she added saxophone, piano, and flute to the mix. She went to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts for High School and that’s where she knew she had a passion for music. Allana graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor’s in Jazz studies…

Kim Jay takes audiences on a captivating, magical, and awe-inspiring sonic journey with what has been called “a multi-instrumental dream, a cosmic one-woman ensemble”. Kim Jay has been performing as a soloist on saxophones since 2001. Some of her main influences have been: Sarah Vaughn, Cassandra Wilson, Shirley Horn, John Coltrane, Grover Washingt…

Kim Jay takes audiences on a captivating, magical, and awe-inspiring sonic journey with what has been called "a multi-instrumental dream, a cosmic one-woman ensemble". Kim Jay has been performing as a soloist on saxophones since 2001. Some of her main influences have been: Sarah Vaughn, Cassandra Wilson, Shirley Horn, John Coltrane, Grover Washingt…

Born into a family tree of well-versed musicians, Ernie Delores (Caldwell) Shelby is a talented saxophonist, vocalist, and composer. In elementary school, when the music department ran out of “girlie” instruments such as flutes and clarinets, she was given a choice between tuba or saxophone. At the tender age of 14, a heckler in the […] The post Sa…