Source: wikipedia.org
The other day I wrote about, and linked to, a video in which tenor saxophone great Don Menza, demonstrated how a player can change his/her tone without changing their set-up. It was during this video that Menza said something very often overlooked, but nonetheless very important, in the area of musicianship. He said:
I don’t think technique is learning how to play fast and loud and high. I think technique is learning how to play what the music calls for, and do it with a certain bit of elegance. Learning how to play beautiful melodies.
Source: Video on tone by Cannonball Saxophones
Don Menza has been in the music business a long time. He started playing at the age of 13, and has worked in bands led by greats such as Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones and Louie Bellson. ¹
Menza has also recorded with artists such as: Keely Smith, Cold Blood, Natalie Cole, Pat Boone, and Leonard Cohen. ¹ Don Menza was also a long-time member of the The Tonight Show Band, with Johnny Carson. ²
Menza’s musical talents are not limited to playing saxophone. He is also a gifted composer, having written such classic big band pieces as Groovin’ Hard and Time Check.
In the following video, Menza is leading the WDR Big Band in his famous Groovin’ Hard. The main soloists in this version are Menza, another tenor player by the name of Olivier Peters, and piano player, Frank Chastenier.
Menza and Peters not only do a great job of their individual solos, but their trading of 4’s is an interesting study in styles and blending.
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