Not all wind is good for you…

1) Did you know that Bob Corbit, one of Madison’s great saxophonists, met Bob Marley in Jamaica 1978 at Bob Marley’s personal compound?

2) Did you know that Bob Corbit, during that same visit, was at first literally held captive at Bob Marley’s compound, forced to stand for hours against a fence wondering whether he’d be shot and left for dead because a promoter had brought Corbit’s band to Jamaica and used Marley’s name to falsely promote the concert?

3) Did you know that Bob Marley later learned Bob Corbit’s band didn’t have anything to do with the false promotion and that Bob Marley actually helped them hold a concert on Marley’s private soccer field where the Tuff Gong soccer team often practiced with Mr. Marley?

4) Did you know that while I was at a Ziggy Marley concert in 1993, I met a dreadlock rasta from Elkhart, Indiana who worked at the Selmer saxophone factory in Elkhart and that he very likely helped make my alto saxophone?

5) Did you know that Dave Hecht and Bob Corbit have hung out with Winston Rodney of Burning Spear?

6) Did you know Dave Hecht and Bob Corbit have been rockin’ for decades and still rock today?

7) Did you know that I love playing with Dave and Bob?

Yesterday we rocked the Brink Lounge with Dave on acoustic guitar and vocals (featuring Dave’s new phrase sampling looper) and Bob and I on the saxes. I spent most of the time bouncin’ bass lines on the bari while Bob flowed over the top with his tenor and soprano. It wasn’t exactly on the level of experimentation as a Roscoe Mitchell concert, but it was certainly an eclectic mix of instrumentation and surprisingly well received by the audience. Lot’s of fun!

I have enjoyed working with a local woodwind repair shop owner named Kim Salva, doing business as “Doctor Sax.” He recently tuned up my tenor and is currently looking over my alto and bari. I stumbled on this his web site while looking for used bari saxes and found all these really cool vintage horns that he has purchased, repaired and has up for sale. To my huge surprise, he was right here in Madison, Wisconsin.

If you are a woodwind player and need repairs, I would recommend calling Kim. Also, if you are looking for a used horn in great playing condition, be sure to check out his current selection. Kim’s a really nice guy who cares a lot about his work. Definitely give him a call. You won’t be disappointed!

From the doctorsax.biz web site…

MWF: 8 am - 2:30 pm
Tues & Thurs: 8 am - 5 pm
Also open every other weekend
This isn’t to say I don’t run out on errands…lunch, donuts, bank…but I almost always have my cell (279-9744) with me and I am usually only about 15 minutes away. I am here a lot more than the hours listed. Don’t hesitate to call.

Nestled between Lakes Mendota and Monona on the Near Eastside of Madison at 2009-R Atwood Ave., the shop itself can be a little hard to find…you certainly won’t see it driving by. Located at Schenk’s Corners, Doctor Sax is situated behind Tex Tub’s Taco Palace at 2009 Atwood Ave. If you Google up a map, be aware, road construction on First and Second streets means you cannot turn onto them from East Wash.

My friend Mike Stilson Jr. is a quiet social activist. Often it’s the pure and simple and true cause that stirs him into motion, and apparently the concept of FREE HUGS being threatened was enough to do the trick. Here is YouTube vid that Mike sent me today. Hey, have you hugged someone today?

Video Description

Sometimes, a hug is all what we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whos sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives.

In this age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal.

As this symbol of human hope spread accross the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring.

In the Spirit of the free hugs campaign, PASS THIS TO A FRIEND and HUG A STRANGER! After all, If you can reach just one person…

This is hilarious, especially if you’re my age (give or take 7 or 8 years). Can you count how many album covers were used in this vid? Enjoy…

Practiced, performed and recorded on a Sunday morning in October, Mozart’s “Ave Verum”, arranged by Bruce Evans .

The Bryan Quartet performing
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Ave Verum”[mp3]

I’m not a huge believer in numerology, but it’s interesting to note that (a) my birthday was July 17, 1971 (7-17-1971), and (b) this text was written on June 17, 1791 (6-17-1791). Also interesting to mention, Mozart composed this piece when he was 35 years old (also my present age) during the year 1791. Oh, and that happened to be the same year Mozart died (December 3, 1791). Trippy! Let’s hope prayer and modern medicine can extend all our years further than Mozart’s and allow us more opportunities to appreciate his music and enjoy our time on this Earth together.

One of my favorite pieces to listen to, and now to play, is Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings op. 11 (1936). This version is arranged for saxophone quartet by Philippe Marillia. It’s a piece that is probably familiar to many from the soundtrack to the movie “Platoon.”

This one was a much more difficult piece to play, especially one part at a time. After many failed attempts to get even two parts to fit together, I resorted to using a metronome click track (quarter note = 52 beats per minute). It made it much easier to lock the individual parts together. I started with the soprano part and worked my way down the line, ending with the baritone. It is such a satifying moment to play the last part and hear the whole arrangement come together. Ahh….music, sweet music.

Of course, there are some wrong notes and intonation issues in places, but as a whole, I’m pretty happy with this first take. Sadly, since the lead line is played by the soprano sax, I’m painfully aware that my soprano is by far the weakest in my saxophone collection. Fortunately, should I someday decide to replace it, it will likely be the most affordable horn of the four types in possession (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone).

Enjoy….

The Bryan Quartet performing
Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, opus 11 [mp3]

I found a web site today with free saxophone quartet music, including a wonderful chorale by J.S. Bach titled “If Thou Be Near.” It’s the kind of tune that’s great to warm up on, with thick chords, flowing melodies and moving harmonies. It’s also reasonable to play after a few reads, just perfect for site reading and recording in a night.

So ladies and gentleman, it gives me great pleasure to offer you…

The Bryan Quartet performing
J.S. Bach’s “If Thou Be Near” [mp3]

…featuring Bryan on the saxophones. Please pardon the mistakes.

Sometimes pictures don’t require words…

Actually, a little more information wouldn’t hurt…

[left to right] ~1993 Alpine Bb soprano, 1982 Selmer (USA) Model 162 “Omega” (AS100) Eb alto, 1971 Yamaha YTS-61 Bb tenor, 1977 Yanagisawa B6 baritone sax