In an interview with The Jerusalem Post on February 19th, prior to his appearance at the Tel Aviv Jazz Festival, James Carter said the following about the bass saxophone:
I think you have to show reverence to the whole saxophone family…The bass sax is the mother instrument, that is the genesis of the whole range.
Adolphe Sax bass sax circa 1877.
Source: National Music Museum, The University of South Dakota, Vermillion.
The bass saxophone was the first saxophone presented to the public by Adolphe Sax. (The original bass was one that was pitched in C.) Sax unveiled his invention in Paris in 1841.
There is of course also the famous tale of Sax walking the 186 miles from his workshop in Brussels, to Paris while carrying the behemoth. Yes, the bass saxophone certainly has some history on its side.
In his interview with The Jerusalem Post, James Carter goes on to say:
The bass sax grounds you and adds so much to the sound range you can produce. I think every serious saxophonist has to handle the bass sax at some stage.
I’m sure that all the companies currently producing bass saxophones are hoping you’ll heed his advice!
