How many of you like to play fast? I admit I do. But do you like it enough to work on the Flight of the Bumblebee in order to attempt to set a new world’s record? I admit, I don’t. But a teen from Bakersfield, California, did that last week. He whizzed through Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s interlude in a mere 54 seconds.
According to an article in Bakersfield.com, 17-year-old Jessie Salas had been pouring over the videos on YouTube, and noticed that there was no benchmark for the fastest saxophone playing. This prompted him to practice obsessively for the last month, in order to attempt to play Flight of the Bumblebee in 56 seconds—half its normal time.
For his attempt to be recognized by Guinness World Records, he enlisted the help of his band teacher. Mickey Murray served as an expert witness. Also in the audience were 15 family members, who had gathered together for his record-setting attempt.
When Salas stepped up to the microphone at the Le Corusse Rouge restaurant, in between songs at the Bakersfield Jazz Workshop:
He tapped his right foot and rose up on his toes as his saxophone belted out the notes in a loud, clear frenzy. Salas finished the song in less than a minute, paused for breath and tore into the music again.
Source: Bakersfield.com
I hope that the record stands, and that Guinness awards Jessie Salas a certificate for the fastest alto saxophone playing. This young man clearly has a great deal of natural talent, as well as dedication to the instrument.
Now does anyone want to take a crack at setting a world record for fastest bass saxophone playing? 
Oh, and if you play an Eppelsheim, you are automatically disqualified. 😛
