Everything Saxophone Podcast

What does it really take to find your sound in today's jazz world?
 
In Ep. 268, saxophonist Christoph Irniger shares his journey; from his musical beginnings to developing a personal voice through composition, tone, and deep listening.
 
Below is a detailed timestamp to guide your listening:
00:00 Musical beginning
11:30 Books that helped his playing
13:32 Artists that inspired him
26:10 Feeling rhythm and the pulse
27:36 Writing and playing his own compositions
29:59 Swiss jazz scene
36:14 Utilizing the online world in exposing his work
45:09 How he came up with the title "Dry Sensation"
46:05 Listen to "Dry Sensation"
54:31 A tip for using long tones to get into the changes
55:35 Joe Allard tone exercise
57:01 Listen and reflect to "Abandoned Eggs In a Pan"
01:09:39 Listen and reflect to Bluesetto
01:15:11 His new album "New Lines" and where to get it

👉 Explore more about how Christoph Irniger, explore practical concepts you can bring into your own playing, such as long tone work, tone development, and approaching the changes with intention: 
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Become a Patron today! 🥳
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows 
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes, hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos, even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation, so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE

How being different can actually be your biggest advantage.
 
In Episode 267 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna sat down with saxophonist and composer Shawn Maxwell to talk about carving your own path and why leaning into what makes you different can propel your career forward.
 
Shawn shares his journey from classical beginnings to discovering improvisation, and how that shift reshaped his sound, mindset, and musical direction.
 
⬇️ We also get into the practical side of things:
00:00 How he got into music
09:22 Changes he did to get his sound
13:18 First time improvising as someone who started with classical music
19:15 What he did after graduating
22:32 Do this when networking
26:28 How to get a wider variance of sound
31:59 Writing and composing
39:19 Notation softwares
47:58 Don't be stuck in the past 
15:14 How to network
55:45 Importance of communication between players
01:00:04 Friendship with Chika Inoue that lead to their collaboration for "Cats are Gods"
01:02:49 Listen and reflect to "Cats are Gods"
01:13:21 Tips on getting that open sound
01:19:01 Story behind "Reed Tire Earth"
01:20:17 Listen and reflect to "Reed Tire Earth"
01:30:26 How to be a well rounded musician
01:32:06 Advice for classical saxophonists
01:34:02 How to deal with negativity
01:36:13 Where can you find Shawn's works
01:43:12 Upcoming projects/shows
➡️ Explore more about Shawn Maxwell: his music, background, and socials, all in one place: 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Become a Patron today! 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows 
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content 
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes, hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation, so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it, and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE

What does it mean to improvise melodically? 🎷
 
In this new episode, Donna sat down with legendary saxophonist Steve Wilson to talk about his melodic approach to improvisation, his decades-long career, and the musical ideas that continue to shape his playing.
 
With more than 175 recordings and collaborations with artists like Chick Corea and Christian McBride, Steve shares invaluable insights for saxophonists and musicians alike.
 
We also discuss his upcoming album Enduring Sonance, releasing May 1 on Smoke Sessions Records.
 
TIMESTAMPS: 
00:00 Introduction
02:59 Why Johnny Hodges is the perfect sound template
05:43 What a good sound really is
07:54 How he got into music
11:14 His first experience in teaching 
14:36 How Oboe helped his embouchure and sound
15:49 When he started playing soprano sax
16:36 The easiest saxophone to play but hard to master
28:15 Learn things the right way and don't develop bad habits
31:00 His biggest influence
34:33 Moving to New York
39:13 Golden era of music shops
43:00 His first album
48:33 Adjusting your sound in the studio 
55:49 How to get the best sound at a live performance
58:44 Listen and reflect to "Quiet Girl"
01:12:36 Steve's advice for uplifting your audience
01:14:11 Melody and the evolution of jazz education
01:25:07 Listen and reflect to "Helen's Song"
Explore more about Steve Wilson-his music, background, and socials-all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-steve-wilson-his-melodic-approach-to-improvisation-ep-266
📌 Become a Patron today! 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ CLICK HERE

What does it really take to become a versatile, fearless saxophonist in today's music scene?
 
In Episode 265 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna sits down with Chris Ward, also known as The Saxophone Warrior, for a wide-ranging conversation about musicianship, discipline, creativity, and pushing beyond traditional boundaries.
 
Find exactly what you're looking for in the episode by using the timestamps below:
00:00 - Musical background
09:23 - What made him pursue music school
12:20 - How to give constructive feedback
13:31 - Responsibilities of a good student
15:15 - Chris' teaching practice
18:15 - Tips for transcribing
21:49 - What made him go to New York
26:10 - Tips for getting wedding band gigs
28:41 - Being prepared for different gig scenarios
34:01 - Studying with Lenny Pickett 
36:11 - Chris' routine for reeds
37:05 - Other great tips he learned from Lenny
43:09 - Getting into pedals and effects
51:46 - Multiphonics
01:01:30 - Gauge a gig before getting experimental
01:10:30 - How he came up with the name "Saxophone Warrior"
01:14:03 - Future plans/projects
01:19:08 - Sharing experiences at this year's NAMM
 
➡️ Explore more about Chris Ward—his music, background, and socials-all in one place: 
https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophone-warrior-chris-ward-ep-265


Become a Patron today! 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE

What really makes a saxophone sound: the player, the lacquer… or even the stones?
 
In Episode 264 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down live at the NAMM Show 2026 with Dr. Randal Clark to talk about the Award-Winning Black Sapphire Cannonball Saxophone and the exciting new releases from Cannonball Instruments.
 
⬇️ Jump to your favorite moments using the time markers below:
00:00 Introductions
00:36 The challenge of creating a beautiful blue finish
01:21 The new 30th Anniversary Black Sapphire Cannonball Sax
02:15 How does lacquer affect the sound
03:57 How the necks for The Big Bell Stone series are unique
05:39 Paul Taylor cameo
03:24 The new Midnight Alto Sax and the effects from the powder in the lacquer
07:05 The difference between the matte black finish on the Raven vs the finish on the Midnight
08:11 The new Black Ruby alto sax
08:56 The importance of the Cannonball Instruments looking beautiful
09:17 The Cannonball Instruments stones and the importance of the density
10:18 The effect the ligature has on your sound
Become a Patron today! 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE