Saturday, March 05, 2005
My favorite things

Alex Ross has been making up lists recently. So here's a list of mine: Ten of my favorite recorded jazz saxophone solos that come immediately to mind.

1. Michael Brecker, "Every Day (I Thank You)" -- Pat Metheny, 80/81
2. Michael Brecker, "Sumo" -- Steps Ahead, Live in Tokyo 1986
3. Michael Brecker, "Quartet No. 1" -- Chick Corea, Three Quartets
4. Ornette Coleman, "Peace" -- The Shape of Jazz to Come
5. Steve Coleman, "Multiplicity Of Approaches (The African Way of Knowing)" -- Steve Coleman and the Five Elements, curves of life
6. John Coltrane, "Afro Blue" -- Coltrane Live at Birdland
7. John Coltrane, "I Want To Talk About You" -- Coltrane Live at Birdland
8. Eric Dolphy, "Out To Lunch" -- Out To Lunch
9. Kenny Garrett, "Human Nature" -- Miles Davis, Live Around the World
10. Dick Oatts, "Make Me Smile" -- Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra, Featuring the Music of Bob Brookmeyer
    posted by Brian Sacawa 8:45 AM


    Praised by The New York Times as "an inventive musician . . . fresh and surprising," saxophonist Brian Sacawa has firmly established himself as an important contemporary voice for his instrument. He is active as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician throughout the United States and is the co-founder of the new music duo Non-Zero with percussionist Timothy Feeney.

    He has given premieres of over thirty works by both established and emerging composers, including Michael Gordon, Bright Sheng, Andrew Mead, Oliver Schneller, Ken Ueno, Beata Moon, Hillary Zipper, and Scott McAllister, among many others. Named the Baltimore CITYPAPER’s Critic’s Choice for Classical Music in 2002, he is the recipient of awards for solo performance from both national and international competitions.

    Sacawa's versatile career has led to appearances with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, Harvard Group for New Music, New Music Brandeis, Bargemusic, and at meetings of the ISU Contemporary Music Festival, World Saxophone Congress, North American Saxophone Alliance, and New England Saxophone Symposium.

    Brian holds degrees from the University of Michigan, the Peabody Conservatory, and the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, where he studied with Donald Sinta, Gary Louie, and Lynn Klock. He has recorded for the Equililbrium, Naxos, and BiBimBop recording labels.

    See Brian's other blog
    Sounds Like Now