The instrument that we play is one of the most popular in the world. Saxophones are the epitome of cool, and have come to symbolize jazz in pop culture. During its relatively short life, the saxophone’s popularity has nonetheless waxed and waned.
After the sax-happy 1920s, the saxophone went through a period during which it was dissed. As the saxophone fell out of favour, and other instruments became more popular in its stead, saxophone sales slumped, and innovative designs like the Conn-O-Sax and F Mezzo-Soprano (Conn), Saxello (King), as well as the straight altos and tipped bell sopranos (Buescher), etc, were all abandoned. Saxophone manufacturers instead, concentrated on the most common saxophones—soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone—and left the larger, and other less popular models, as well as the innovative designs, behind.
In 1936, saxophone players apparently decided that they weren’t going to take the disrespect and waning popularity anymore, so they got together in New York to form The National Association of Saxophone Players. According to an article in the August 27, 1936 edition of The Montreal Gazette, they were looking for recognition and respect:
Saxophone Players Rally to Its Defence
New York, August 26—UP—The National Association of Saxophone Players was born at an historic meeting today with the avowed purpose of winning “admiration and respect” for a fallen instrument.
Arthur Cremin, director of the New York school of Music, launched the movement with a declaration of independence for saxophone players and a demand that they be accorded a place in the symphonic spotlight.
Seated around a table with an intent little band of followers Cremin said:
“I have been confronted time and time again by some young student who would like to learn how to play the Saxophone, yet who does not relish the thought of becoming the laughing-stock of the community.”
Cremin, who also is president of the American Creative League of Music Students, is not a saxophone player himself—he plays the violin—but he feels the saxophone “belongs to this era just as much as the radio and automobile.”
“Not so many years ago,” he said, “the tinest [sic] baby welcomed the sound of the instrument, and every youngster’s heart was set on becoming a saxophonist.
“Then, suddenly the instrument began to lose favor. Lower and lower it sank until it became the ‘stooge’ of the musical family. Every practising saxophonist became the scourge of the neighborhood. He was ostracized, ridiculed, mocked.
“It has been replaced in most orchestras by the less rhythmic trumpet.”
I’m curious whether the historic National Association of Saxophone Players has any connection to the current North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA). There is nothing on NASA’s website to explain its origins, so at this point I can’t say one way or the other.
I am curious if the group that started in 1936 managed to garner any support, and effect any change. We know that the saxophone didn’t become the darling of classical circles, but it didn’t take long before it became a staple in big bands. From there it was only a hop, skip, and a jump to the jazz world.
