Everything Saxophone Podcast

In Episode 247 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down with internationally renowned saxophonist, composer , and ECM recording artist Andy Sheppard . Here's a guided timestamp to check out the highlights of the episode — perfect if you want to jump straight to the parts that resonate most with you. 00:00 - Leaving art school and started learning saxophone at 19 04:09 - When A...

In this episode we had the incredible honor of hosting Ted Klum himself alongside product manager Michael Howe from Ted Klum Mouthpieces! This episode is pure GOLD! Here's a guided timestamp to check out the highlights of the episode — perfect if you want to jump straight to the parts that resonate most with you.   00:00 - How Ted Klum started his company 07:30 - Focus Tone Model 09:23 - Mixing (o...

In this conversation, saxophonist Dan White reflects on his journey from a young student learning 50 tunes by ear to earning a music degree at Ohio State and touring professionally.   Here's a guided timestamp to check out the highlights of the episode — perfect if you want to jump straight to the parts that resonate most with you.   00:00 - His first instrument and how he got into playing saxopho...

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Leah Concialdi, Saxophonist, about how to authentically pitch yourself. Leah opens up about playing bari sax at massive pop gigs, wireless mic tips for saxophonists, Fela Kuti's influence on her music and many more! ✨ Here's what we've talked about:  🎷 Musical beginning 🎷 Pop gig preparation 🎷 What it was like to play at Coachella w...

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Reggie Padilla, Saxophonist and Author, about how being versatile created amazing opportunities.   Donna sits down with the incredibly versatile saxophonist Reggie Padilla to dive deep into his musical path — from surfing with a sax to creating his EP First Light , his etude book Reflecting Changes , and how he built his home studio set...

Ever wondered how a violinist 🎻 became a master of the saxophone 🎷? This week on the podcast, Donna sits down with the incredible Dr. Scott Litroff—who shares his journey from picking up the violin to finding his true voice on the sax.  It all started with a moment of inspiration (and a little nudge from Perry Goldstein), but what truly set Scott apart was his approach to music: letting his ears...

 We're back! 🎷🎙️ After a short break, Everything Saxophone Podcast returns with an incredible episode featuring Jason Gay! Donna sits down with Jason for a fascinating conversation about his journey in music, the gear he swears by, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Here's the highlights of the episode:  🎷 How Donna met Jason 🎷 Why ligature matters 🎷 Why Jason loves Jody Jazz mouthpie...

We're closing out our NAMM 2025 coverage with a must-hear episode! Everything Saxophone Podcast host Donna Schwartz caught up with Theo Wanne , a world-renowned expert in saxophone mouthpiece design and innovation, at the NAMM Show 2025 in Anaheim, CA. With over three decades of experience, Theo has revolutionized how musicians approach sound and craftsmanship. In this episode, he shares insights...

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Sheryl Laukat—CEO & Co-Founder and Dr Randal Clark—Dir of Media & Education of Cannonball Musical Instruments, at the NAMM Show 2025 in Anaheim, CA. In this special episode, we go behind the scenes with Cannonball Instruments at NAMM 2025! We dive into what makes Cannonball saxophones stand out, the secret behind putting a pearl on a le...

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, spoke with Andy Lutz, from ProTec Style Company, at the NAMM Show 2025 in Anaheim, CA.   When you buy a new sax, the case it comes with is usually fine… but not always ideal, especially for traveling. While cases have improved over the years, many still aren't built for the demands of air travel.   The Protec compact bari sax case fits most barito...

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Melvin Quinones, Founder of Victory Musical Instruments, and inventor of the World's First 'Screwless' Saxophone! Victory Musical Instruments has gained recognition among musicians and dealers for its craftsmanship and performance. During the interview, Quinones discussed the meticulous design process and the motivation behind creating...

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed CEO of Bari Woodwinds, Ron Van Ostenbridge, live at the NAMM Show 2025. If you're a saxophonist, you know that the right gear can make all the difference. This year at the NAMM Show 2025, Donna had the incredible opportunity to meet with the CEO of Bari Woodwinds for an exclusive interview on my podcast. They dove deep into their newes...

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Saxophonist and Educator, Jeremiah True, live at the NAMM Show 2025.  With a diverse background spanning orchestral, jazz, theater pits, and rock 'n roll, Jeremiah True brings a wealth of experience and artistry to every performance.  P. Mauriat instruments are renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship, innovative technology, and ti...

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Saxophonist, Composer, Educator, Don Braden for Episode 234.  We talked about:  His early experiences with the saxophone and his first gigs The creation of the Earth Wind and Wonder album His journey to mastering improvisation, including studying the Aebersold books His transition to becoming a professional musician Memorable stories a...

Everything Saxophone Podcast Host, Donna Schwartz, interviewed Mark Overton, Founder of SaxQuest and the National Saxophone Museum. Mark Overton started Saxquest in 2000 with a vision of creating a mecca for saxophone players to find great equipment, share knowledge/learn about their instrument and engage in safe honest transactions with a knowledgeable sales staff in both a brick & mortar retail...

Saxophonist Mark Hartsuch has differentiated himself by producing amazing horn section recordings and live performances for the world's top artists. He is most well known for working with India's top music director, AR Rahman, both in live performance and studio productions. His other collaborations include Ranjit Barot, Mohini Dey, Mr. Eazi, Cece Winans, Bebe Winans, TV networks such as Disney an...

Saxophonist Bennett Wood is a freelance musician, composer and clinician.  He was recently appointed as Director of Jazz Studies at Webster University. He previously held academic appointments at the University of Memphis, Mineral Area College, Texas State University, Texas Lutheran University, and Texas A&M University-Kingsville and served as the Interim Director of Education and Community Engage...

Internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and educator Kyle Brooks is a rising performer and pedagogue seasoned by and for the modern music industry. Versed in multicultural idioms, Kyle has and continues to work with organizations that regularly present jazz, rock, hip hop, Bollywood, Malayalam, electronic, and salsa music, just to name a few. As a performer, Kyle has collaborated with art...

Asha Parkinson is a UK-based saxophonist and composer whose works cross the boundaries of classical, jazz, and world music. Asha was a semi-finalist in the 2016, 2018, and 2020 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year competitions.  She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with a Bachelor of Music Honors (1st class) in September 2020.  Her saxophone and jazz teachers have included Mar...

Denis DiBlasio is a saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger, and Full Professor and Director of the Jazz Performance and Composition Programs at Rowan University. Denis was the Musical Director and composed and arranged for the Maynard Ferguson Band for 5 years. He is a published author of five texts on jazz improvisation, and a recording artist for Encounter and RadScape Records with 12 CDs unde...

James Brandon Lewis is at the top of the international jazz world. He stands in the tradition of saxophonists such as Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler and John Coltrane.  With his powerful, direct and rich tenor saxophone sound and a lyrical quality that unfolds in both his solos and his compositions, he is causing a sensation.  In 2021, the saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis had a career bre...

Born in Tyler, Texas, and raised in Houston, Theresa Grayson began playing piano and saxophone in fourth grade, building her foundation through church performances from age 12. She studied under renowned musicians and earned degrees in music performance, jazz studies, and music education. Theresa has been a dedicated music educator since the early 2000s. She is currently teaching music in Ft. Bend...

Joyce Spencer, an award-winning saxophonist, flutist, and vocalist from Dallas, Texas, showcases a diverse range of musical styles. Her repertoire spans traditional to contemporary jazz, classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop, and Gospel/Christian. With a background in instrumental music education, Joyce holds a Bachelor of Music Education and Performance. After a 20-year corporate career, she...

Nancy Saenz, aka 'Lady Woodwind'. Started her musical journey at Marshall Jr High School in the heart of Houston's old barrio Northside. She started on flute, going to many competitions all over Texas. Nancy was introduced to the saxophone in high school, and quickly excelled, going to many jazz festivals and winning Jazz Musician of the Year. Nancy has performed with local Tejano groups, recorded...

Allana Southerland Prince started playing clarinet in Middle school. She loved music so much, she added saxophone, piano, and flute to the mix. She went to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts for High School and that's where she knew she had a passion for music.  Allana graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor's in Jazz studies. She became a bandleader, and started bands such...