| Classical
Artists/Educators Paul
Brodie,
O.C. The achievements of this virtuosic, and warmhearted Canadian man are just awe inspiring. He truly is a LEGEND in his own time. To quote the renowned classical saxophonist, Ted Hegvik, "How does a man accomplish all this? In only one lifetime?"And just by playing the saxophone? " Consider
the
following: Concerts: Mr. Brodie then from 1960 went on to play over 3000 concerts with 34 orchestras in 17 countries, having the distinction of been the first concert saxophonist ever to play in India, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia, and the first to be invited by the People's Republic of China to teach, perform and record! This is part of the reason at least, that the name "Ambassador of the Saxophone", describes him best. Recordings: With over 50 records to his name, he is considered to be the most recorded concert saxophonist in the history of the instrument. Special Distinction: In 1994, Paul was appointed "Officer of the Order of Canada", Canada's highest civilian award (equivalent to being knighted in England). Warren Beatty featured his saxophone playing on the soundtrack of his academy award winning film "Heaven Can Wait". He was also included on "Clyde Gilmour's Favourites", has appeared as a soloist with most of the leading orchestras in Canada and has often been featured on CBC AM/FM Radio and CBC, CTV and Global Television. Teaching: Paul has performed and lectured at over an incredible 120 Music Schools, Conservatories, Colleges and Universities. On top of this, he founded his own "Brodie School of Music and Modern Dance" with his lovely wife of 40 years Rima , a talented and renowned dancer, teacher and internationally recognized Fibre Artist in her own right... On top of this, he has had an amazing 57 composers write original works specifically for him. Incidentally, I strongly recommend Mr. Brodie's new autobiography, Concert Saxophonist, "Ambassador of the Saxophone". This traces his beginnings as an eager student of the saxophone who later went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a world class saxophonist, spreading the message of the instrument around the globe in a way few other musicians of any instrument have done. This is a great book, and I think a must for any student seriously considering to enter the field as a professional because Paul "tells is like it is" and it is a highly enjoyable and informative read by one of the true legends of the instrument, who also happens to be one of the most genial and kind saxophonists around, as I and his legion of friends and fans will attest. For order information, please click on the following link: Paul Brodie's "Concert Saxophonist, Ambassador of the Saxophone" "I am really
impressed with the UPDATE 10 years after playing Alexander
Reeds: "I've
been playing on Alexander D.C. reeds for more than a decade, and I
continue to be delighted with their performance. These consistent
reeds are responsive and long lasting. With my Alexanders I am
able to manage the register extremes that are an intrinsic part of the
music that I perform, and I look forward to many more years with them
as a part of my equipment team!" We are most honored that the man critically acclaimed as being the leading classical tenor saxophonist in the world, James Houlik, has just joined us as an Alexander Classical Artist. Hailed by the Washington Post as "The Andres Segovia of the Tenor Saxophone" , James Houlik has not only been lauded worldwide for his virtuosic performances, but also for his pioneering efforts on behalf of the instrument, which have resulted in the composition of over 70 original concert works from such illustrious composers as Morton Gould, Robert Ward, and Russel Peck, among others. From a performance at the White House to solo appearances with orchestras in New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, Prague, etc. and recitals in the music capitols of the world, James Houlik has almost single handedly carved a niche for the tenor saxophone in the classical and concert worlds. After
studying
with 20th century saxophone legend Sigurd Rascher, Houlik's
steadily gained recognition in an area of concert saxophone that had
been hitherto widely neglected...tenor saxophone repertoire. In time,
he was garnering critical praise with comments such as: "A
performance that might exhaust one's superlatives " (Washington Post)
" I played on
Alexander reeds for the first time in 2000 and have never looked
back. Each Alexander reed I Saxophonist Dr. Jennifer Bill performs solo and chamber music with a variety of groups around southern New England, including the Back Bay Saxophone Quartet , and Brushreed. She has performed contemporary chamber music with a variety of artists including vocalists, clarinetists, cellists, flutists, taped media, percussionists and dancers. Dr.
Bill
is currently Faculty at Boston
University (saxophone, chamber music, director of concert band, and
class woodwinds), a Special Lecturer in Music at Providence College (conductor of
symphonic winds, theory, ear training, music appreciation, saxophone,
and chamber music), and a Faculty member at The Boston
Conservatory (liaison between Boston Conservatory and the Boston
Arts Academy). She is the saxophone instructor, wind ensemble
coordinator, and assistant director of the saxophone workshop for the
Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Dr. Bill also serves on
the Board of Directors for World-Wide Concurrent Premiers and
Commissioning Funds, Inc. "Alexander
Superial is my favorite Concert saxophonist Yusheng Li received high marks in his diploma recital for the saxophone from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada. He is the first player in China to get such a the saxophone diploma overseas, in this case under the personal instruction of Paul Brodie. He founded the New World Saxophone Quartet of Sichuan Conservatory of Music,the NWAQ made their first CD in 2002. Now Yusheng Li is an associate professor of saxophone at Sichuan Conservatory of Music and performs at concerts throughout China. Mr. Li has also been instrumental in introducing the saxophone and its music to China by helping to arrange for concerts of other prominent classical saxophonists from abroad in conjunction with the Chinese Government.
|
|
response
in
all registers,
brilliance of tone and great sustaining quality. They break in very
quickly and seem to hold up well after several hours of playing.The
quality of the cane and cuts are excellent for both "DC" and
Classique". I just tried an alto reed in concert which was super and
the sopranos work just as well! I highly recommend these reeds to
saxophonists the world over. Two thumbs up!"
consistency of these reeds. In
fact, I can't remember finding so many quality reeds in a single box
ever "I'm looking for a dark, robust sound, and the Superial "DC"
provides exactly what I need. My concert activities range from recitals
to concerto dates with orchestras and bands, to pop shows and I need a
reed that can cover a broad territory... I'm delighted I now have the
Alexander Superial "DC" reeds to depend on. The Alexander Superial "DC"
reed is just what the doctor ordered....consistent and responsive. I
need a reed that will allow me to achieve a tone with warmth and
darkness, without being stuffy, and I've found it in the Superial "DC".
It is comforting to know that I now have a source for excellent reeds,
with the qualities and consistency that I have long hoped for. The
Alexander Superial "DC" gives me exactly the combination of warmth of
tone without having to compromise response and power."
use has a sense of personal care and quality craftsmanship.
Every Alexander reed is consistent in its rich tone quality,
long-lasting endurance and superb response. These
consistencies are what make Alexander reeds the best! Using the
Alexander Classique and Superial reeds I find freedom in my playing
that other reeds will just not allow. I recommend Alexander reeds
to all of my students so they may experience this same kind of freedom.
reed. I am
particularly fond of "DC# No. 3.5 and "Classique" No. 3. The brightness
and thickness of the sounds DC produces are very impressive; while the
concentrated and splendid sounds made by the Classique are just unique.
I use the two kinds of Alexander reeds during my performances. There is
no doubt that the technology of manufacture is the best one worldwide.
I'd like to thank Tom immensely for his contributions to saxophone
reeds." 
Photo from
Yusheng Li's recent Yamaha Corp. sponsored Saxophone Quartet Tour of
China