Earlier this year, when I visited the Jacqueline De Ribes exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I ventured over to the special display Celebrating Sax Instruments and Innovation, where I learned about the Adolphe Sax. The rare saxophone collection reminded me of the jazz I enjoy.
I really appreciate that when you go to see an exhibit at the New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art, you get a lot for your donation. There is always an amazing amount of displays to see in just one day; you just have to be brave enough to maneuver the crowds.
Sirius XM reminded me that April is Jazz Appreciation Month. During this month, snippets are shared about what motivated many smooth jazz musicians to start playing a particular instrument.
Perhaps the tiny orchestra in my parent’s living room that I sat on as a young child propelled me into my love of jazz. Well, it was not really an orchestra but a high-fidelity stereo cabinet that my Dad played while listening to all that jazz.
Who knew the saxophone had such early beginnings? Antoine-Joseph “Adolphe” Sax, Belgian-born Paris-based inventor, was born November 6, 1814. Sax invented the saxophone in 1846. The Met exhibit celebrated Adolphe Sax’s bicentennial birth and three generations of the Sax family inventions. The tribute exhibit ended on February 21, 2016.
The exhibit’s highlights included rare saxophones, brass instruments, and an exquisite ivory clarinet, to name a few of the twenty-six instruments selected to showcase the innovations of the Sax family.
Sax also patented other instruments. Have you ever heard of the saxhorn or the saxotromba? He developed instruments with multiple bells and six independent valves. Adolphe learned his craft from his father, Charles Joseph (1790-1865). He passed on his business to his youngest son, Adolphe Edouard (1859-1945), the 3rd-and last generation of the Sax Dynasty.
I realize that other musicians besides smooth jazz artists play the saxophone, and it just so happens that the saxophone is my musical melody of choice. My list of women’s favorites includes Mindy Abair, Candy Duffer, and Jessy J. As for men, the list is endless, but I must admit to Lou Donaldson, Boney James, Kenny G Richard Elliot, Gerald Albright, and Walter Beasley.
One man, one family, many inventions and many saxophones, and all that jazz over two hundred years later, thank you, Adolphe.
Have a fabulous week!
Eugenia, thanks so much for the great information about jazz and the sax. My beloved late brother was a psychologist and jazz musician who played…..the saxophone (and clarinet)!! i was steeped in jazz since I was a babe. Love the lady singers. If you’ve never heard of Dakota Staton and Chris Connor, look them up on you tube. Terrific.
Nina,
Hi! So nice to hear from you. You are from a very talented family of creativity! So sorry about the passing your brother, your love of jazz, the sax and clarinet must bring fond memories of him.
One another note, I will check out Dakota Staton and Chris Connor, thanks for the suggestion.