Sax appeal

The saxophone has become a staple in jazz music and requires dedication

If there was one instrument to represent the genre of jazz, it would be the saxophone", says jazz historian and saxophonist, Sunil Sampat. Around 174 years ago, on this day, the instrument was patented by its creator Antoine-Joseph Adolfe, and centuries later, its sound found its way into the genre of jazz and left a lasting imprint.

Sunil Sampat

Sampat describes the history of the instrument and its introduction to jazz music - a legacy that dates back nearly 115 years, to the city of New Orleans. "In New Orleans, the army barracks in the cantonment areas had their own marching bands that always used the saxophone. Somehow, the instrument made its way into the hands of jazz artists, who introduced this into the genre. The saxophone was placed at the forefront in jazz in a song called Body And Soul by Coleman Hawkins and after that, it became a part of the genre," he reveals.

Sampat believes that the saxophone must be picked up with a specific purpose, either to play it for a band or join an orchestra, which is what most players do. "Those who wish to play have to be interested in the genre first. As a jazz lover myself, I picked up the instrument to see how difficult it was for the greats to play it. It looks complicated because you have to use both your hands, regulate your breath while standing the entire time," he adds.

Practice, dedication and love for the instrument are also key components. "If you want to learn, you must practice every day for at least an hour. In the beginning, the sounds that come out will be awful, but you have to play it daily, for a year or two to see improvement," suggests Sampat.

Sound notes
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