Everything Saxophone Podcast

In Episode 279 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz welcomes celebrated saxophonist and presenter Jess Gillam for a conversation about her musical journey, practice habits, performance mindset, and life as an internationally acclaimed musician. Jess Gillam is a celebrated saxophonist and presenter known for her electrifying performances, vibrant stage presence, and commitment to exp...

What does it take to build a successful career as a saxophonist while staying true to your musical voice? In this episode of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down with multi-platinum saxophonist, composer, and producer Boney James to talk about his musical journey, the experiences that shaped his sound, and what it means […] The post Saxophonist Boney James; Playing Soulfully...

Nick Gomez is a Los Angeles–based saxophonist, bandleader, and film/TV composer whose career spans the stage, the screen, and now the tech world.  A 2004 cum laude graduate of Berklee College of Music in Saxophone Performance and Music Business Management, Nick is currently on his third American tour playing saxophone with new wave icons Haircut […] The post Saxophonist Nick Gomez; How Curiosity L...

What goes into developing a professional saxophone, and what does a player look for when testing a new horn? In this episode of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, host Donna Schwartz talks with Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, composer, and educator Alex Hahn about his experience testing and developing the new EAS 852 alto saxophone. Alex has performed […] The post Saxophonist Alex Hahn; Introduci...

What does it take to build a career that spans Broadway, Hollywood, orchestras, recording studios, and music education? For saxophonist and multi-woodwind specialist Chad Smith, the answer is versatility, preparation, curiosity, and a deep understanding of sound. In Episode 275 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Chad joins Donna Schwartz to talk about his musical journey, […] The post Saxophonis...

What does it take to perform with some of the biggest names in music while continuing to grow as an artist? In this episode of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz welcomes acclaimed saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator Steve Kortyka.  Many musicians know Steve as a longtime member of Brian Newman’s jazz band, touring internationally […] The post Saxophonist Steve Kortyka on D...

Few saxophonists have built successful careers in both the classical and jazz worlds like Greg Banaszak. An internationally acclaimed performer, Greg has appeared as a concerto soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, and jazz artist in prestigious venues across Europe, Asia, and the United States. He was also the first saxophonist to perform concertos with orchestras in […] The post Saxophonist Gre...

In Episode 272 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz welcomes internationally acclaimed saxophonist Nick May (David Del Tredici, Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winner) for a conversation that goes far beyond technique. From his early musical beginnings to his work as a performer, educator, and advocate, Nick shares the experiences that have shaped both his […] The post Saxophonist Nick Ma...

Pete Christlieb is one of the most accomplished and recognizable tenor saxophonists of his generation, with a career spanning more than five decades across jazz, television, film, and popular music.  Born in Los Angeles, California, into a musical family, Pete was surrounded by music from an early age. His father, Donald Orville Christlieb, was a […] The post How Pete Christlieb’s Life was Shaped...

Few musicians have managed to combine artistic excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and educational impact quite like Nicole Johaenntgen. In Episode 270 of The Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna sat down with the internationally acclaimed German saxophonist, composer, educator, and social media creator to discuss her remarkable journey and the many ways she continues to shape the global […] The po...

A frequent guest soloist with leading orchestras throughout the United States and abroad, Dale Underwood has performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, Australian Wind Orchestra, and the National Conservatory Orchestra in Sao Paolo, Brazil, among others.  In 1993, Dale made his Carnegie Hall debut in a program featuring Claude T. Smith’s […] The post Saxophonist & E...

Christoph Irniger, born 1979, is a Swiss saxophonist, composer and bandleader.  It has been said that he is “undoubtedly one of the greatest talents of his generation.” In recent years, Christoph has made a name for himself in a range of line-ups, playing jazz, rock and related musical styles.  His work has been documented on […] The post Saxophonist Christoph Irniger: Finding Your Voice in Modern...

Saxophonist and composer, Shawn Maxwell has spent more than two decades on the Chicago scene. Interestingly enough, Maxwell didn’t get serious about saxophone or jazz until his years at Junior College when he was exposed to the works of Duke Ellington.  Since then, he has released over a dozen albums of original music, earning two […] The post Saxophonist Shawn Maxwell; How Being Different Propell...

Steve Wilson has long been recognized as one of the most expressive and lyrical voices in modern jazz. JazzTimes has described him as “the consummate saxophonist-composer” and “one of the finest alto and soprano saxophonists of our time,” a reputation he has built through decades of outstanding performances, recordings, and collaborations. A veteran saxophonist and […] The post Saxophonist Steve W...

Chris Ward, AKA The Saxophone Warrior, has followed the road less traveled since the beginning of his musical journey, consistently thinking outside the box and pushing beyond traditional boundaries. Known for his fearless creativity and versatility, Chris brings his own distinctive voice to everything from traditional jazz and technical fusion to pop, indie, and electronica. […] The post The Saxo...

In Episode 264 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz reconnects with saxophonist and educator Dr. Randal Clark. This time live from the NAMM Show 2026, for an in-depth look at the stunning new Award-Winning Black Sapphire Cannonball Saxophone. Innovation meets artistry in this conversation as Dr. Randal takes us behind the scenes of Cannonball’s […] The post Award Winning Black Sapph...

The NAMM Show 2026 brought plenty of innovation to the saxophone world and Trevor James Saxophones made a strong impression this year!  In Episode 263, Donna sits down with Sandro Massullo to talk about the brand’s newest soprano and baritone releases, including exciting developments for both intermediate and advancing players. During the conversation, Sandro shares […] The post The New Trevor Jam...

There’s nothing quite like hearing directly from the people who design the gear we put on our horns every day, and at the NAMM Show 2026, we had the chance to do exactly that. For Episode 262 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna sat down live at NAMM with Jody Espina, world-renowned jazz saxophonist, educator, […] The post The New Quasar Alto Sax Mouthpiece from Jody Jazz; Live at the NAMM S...

Live from the NAMM Show 2026 floor, we sit down with Matt Ambrose, Chief Machinist and CAD Designer at Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces, to talk innovation, manufacturing, and the newly announced partnership with JJ Babbitt. Matt has been with Theo Wanne from the very beginning, and his expertise in CAD design, programming, and precision machining […] The post Matt Ambrose of Theo Wanne Saxophone...

Jeremiah True is a highly versatile woodwind performer proficient across the full saxophone family, as well as clarinets, flutes, and bassoon. His career spans orchestral performance, jazz, theatre pits, and rock ’n roll, making him a respected voice among professional saxophonists and woodwind players. He recently concluded a distinguished 21-year tenure in the United States […] The post P. Mauri...

Wes Smith is an in-demand musician who has performed with world famous personalities including Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Soul Legend Booker T Jones and Jazz Legend Poncho Sanchez.  He has recorded commercially for names like Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and on numerous projects for the Film/TV Industry. He has performed across the […] The post Saxophonist Wes Sm...

New York–born and raised, Augie Bello is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter whose sound is distinctly eclectic; blending funk, pop, R&B, jazz, and electronic influences into a style that feels both timeless and current. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Allen Stone, Michael Brecker, Frank Sinatra, and Amy Winehouse, Augie has developed a sound […] The post Saxophoni...

Hailing from Reading, Pennsylvania, Seth Ebersole has performed as a bandleader and sideman at such venues as the Detroit Jazz Festival, Rochester Jazz Festival, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, and the Amazonas Green Jazz Festival, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Basel Tattoo.  He has appeared and recorded with such artists as Terell Stafford, Walter Smith III, […] The post Saxophonist Seth E...

Andrew Hadro is a professional musician based in Brooklyn NY, where he performs on Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Bb Clarinet, Flute. He is one of the ONLY working musicians in New York City to play the Bass Saxophone and Contra-bass Clarinet.  After more than 20 years in NYC, Andrew can be heard through an expanding […] The post Baritone Saxophonist, Andrew Hadro; Sculpting the Sound, Ep 256...

For more than 30 years, Paul Maslin, founder of PM Woodwind Repair, has been the go-to expert for saxophonists around the world who demand the highest level of craftsmanship and care for their instruments. A professional saxophonist himself, Paul understands exactly how a horn should feel and respond. Every saxophone that passes through his hands […] The post Saxophonist & Repair Technician, Paul...