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 breakthrough with his tenth album, The Jesup Wagon. Inspired by the mobile agricultural education efforts of inventor George Washington Carver, the song cycle was hailed by critics for its dreamlike mosaic of gospel, folk-blues and catcalling brass bands. It was named Album of the Year at Jazz Times and Downbeat and a bunch of international jazz magazines, and it established Lewis as one of the provocative musical voices of his generation.

Lewis has drawn the attention of many improvising artists, most notably the legendary saxophonist Sonny Rollins, who doesn’t offer effusive praise very often. Moved by Lewis’ deep, spirit-seeking sound, Rollins said “When I listen to you, I listen to Buddha, I listen to Confucius … I listen to the deeper meaning of life. You are keeping the world in balance.”

More recent albums include For Mahalia With Love, Eye of I, and Transfiguration.

Lewis’ quartet was honored with the German Jazz Award as Band of the Year 2023.

You can catch his Bio, and all of his links on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

• What James means by a ‘Parallel Continuum
• How to get better at Bebop
• Not being exactly like the masters
• What people should do to study improvisation
• Is melody just passe`?
• And much more!

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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 County and continues to inspire through her teaching.

Theresa's music career includes the release of her debut album, It’s All About You, and her follow-up, Live2Love, featuring chart-topping singles and a blend of genres like gospel, pop, and R&B. Her latest project, World Blue, showcases her global influences and features collaborations with artists like Marion Meadows and Michael Ward.

On stage, Theresa has performed across Texas and beyond, sharing the stage with jazz greats like Peter White and Mindi Abair. Her performances include notable festivals and events such as the Houston International Jazz Festival and the Idyllwild Jazz Festival.

Theresa’s music reflects her mission to create a multicultural celebration through jazz, evident in tracks like “Crane’s Dance” and her cover of “We Are The World.”

Read more about Theresa HERE.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 Theresa’s instruments and performance Style
🎷 Her influences and mentorship
🎷 Her future plans and community engagement

Want special tips from world-renowned saxophone players?

Our Patreon supporters get access to tips from many of the artists we have interviewed over the years.

These tips are not shared anywhere else.

To get access (and show your love for the show), go to our Patreon site for more info.

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 returned to her passion for music as an independent artist. She composes and produces her own albums and singles, including "Sweet Dreams," "Many Colors," “Cherish,” “Sax-O-Phunk,” and “Nature Walk.”

Joyce's music has garnered global recognition, earning her prestigious awards and features in magazines, radio stations, and Indie Artist Charts. Her accolades include an NAACP-Garland Award, Black Women in Jazz Award, Grammy consideration, and various other media mentions.

For 14 years, Joyce has been performing with her band, Joyce Spencer and Expressions. In 2020, she expanded her musical repertoire by adding a Sade Tribute Show to her performances.

In addition to her own band, Joyce is a member of Jazz in Pink Band, The Satin Dolls Band, and I.Tina, a Tina Turner Tribute Band.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

🎷 What motivated her to join this event for Sax Girls Rock
🎷 People that influenced her the most
🎷 Joyce’s live performance of Cold Duck Time by Eddie Harris

Our Patreon supporters get access to tips from many of the artists we have interviewed over the years.

These tips are not shared anywhere else.

To get access (and show your love for the show), go to our Patreon site for more info.

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 a CD, arranged songs and co-wrote a polka song for saxes.

In February 2024, she was awarded the Tejano Legends Award special artist recognition for her contributions to Latin Music.

She also performed with and wrote horn parts for the Grammy-nominated group, SISTER SISTER.

She received a commendation from Sheila Jackson Lee for her contributions in music, and earned the name, Lady Woodwind, for being fluent in all woodwinds.

Nancy has her own CD out, Just Me, available on her Bandcamp site.

She performs at South by Southwest every year, as well as all over the United States, and Europe.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 Her influences when it comes to tone
🎷 What motivated her to attend Sax Girls Rock concert
🎷 Influences when it comes to style and technique

Our Patreon supporters get access to tips from many of the artists we have interviewed over the years.

These tips are not shared anywhere else.

To get access (and show your love for the show), go to our Patreon site for more info.

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 as Tre Jazz and The Fusion Band.

In 2004, she formed her current band, Party in a Box Band, which performs for corporate and private events all over the United States.

Allana is also proud to have a Masters Degree in Education, and she teaches students of all ages as a private teacher.

Check out her Facebook and Instagram feeds for the latest performance dates.

You can catch her Bio, and all of her links on our website.

We talked about:

🎷 What motivated her to join Sax Girls Rock
🎷 Her biggest mentor
🎷 Her upcoming projects

Want special tips from world-renowned saxophone players?

Our Patreon supporters get access to tips from many of the artists we have interviewed over the years.

These tips are not shared anywhere else.

To get access (and show your love for the show), go to our Patreon site for more info

Kim Jay takes audiences on a captivating, magical, and awe-inspiring sonic journey with what has been called "a multi-instrumental dream, a cosmic one-woman ensemble".

Kim Jay has been performing as a soloist on saxophones since 2001.

Some of her main influences have been: Sarah Vaughn, Cassandra Wilson, Shirley Horn, John Coltrane, Grover Washington Jr, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Moving to Florida gave her the inspiration to also write songs.

Her albums include: “No Lack or Limitation”, “Here Now”, “Almost
Sunny”, and “Quarantine 2020”.

She is currently in the studio working on more ear candy.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

• How she got involved in this concert
• Kim’s biggest mentor
• Kim’s performance of Call the Thing A Thing

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

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We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

Born into a family tree of well-versed musicians, Ernie Delores (Caldwell) Shelby is a talented saxophonist, vocalist, and composer.

In elementary school, when the music department ran out of “girlie” instruments such as flutes and clarinets, she was given a choice between tuba and saxophone.

At the tender age of 14, a heckler in the audience named her “Lady Sax”®. And while Lady Sax®. is definitely musically blessed and anointed, she is also a business-woman; owning the music company Dimples, Company and EDSAS (Ernie D. Shelby Accounting Services).

In 2007, she founded the non profit organization, “Sisters in Song”. In 2010, “Sheation 1-2:22 It’s Not All Eve’s Fault”; a gospel musical that she wrote, directed, and produced; premiered in Chicago, IL. Her motto comes from the Holy Bible, Psalms 92:10.

She appeared with the Barrett Sisters, Vickie Winans, Jerry Butler, Freddie Jackson, Tina Marie, Patti Labelle, Roger and Zapp, Freddie Jackson, Little Milton, Mel Waiters, Wayman Tisdale, Nikki Giovanni, Terisa Griffin (The Voice Finalist) and many others.

The link to her full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 How the Sax Girls Rock Inaugural Concert was conceived
🎷 How Lady Sax created her own lane
🎷 What all-female sax players should do

Want to support the show?

Become a Patron, and for as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!

Straight ahead Jazz Saxophonist, Vasilis Xenopoulos, is one of the most accomplished Greek jazz musicians of his generation.

He graduated with honors from the Berklee College of Music and gradually established himself as one of London’s up-and-coming jazz saxophonists.

He has worked with some of the best musicians in the International Jazz Scene as a band leader, a section leader, and a guest soloist on various projects.

Xenopoulos’ 1st album, Loud City, debuted in 2009 and has released 4 albums with various groups since that debut.

One of his most successful recordings was in 2017 with guitarist, Nigel Price. They created the XPQ (Xenopoulos/Price Quartet) and released the album, Sidekicks, which celebrates some of the most successful guitar/sax pairings in the history of jazz.

The Guardian praised him recently for being one of the leading examples of European jazz musicians who live and perform in Britain and bringing his continental element to the jazz scene.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

In this episode, we talked about:

🎷 Vasilis’ tip on how to improvise
🎷 The album he listened to for 3 weeks straight & how it influenced his approach to improvisation
🎷 His recommendations for mastering sight reading
🎷 Story about Andy McGhee and Cherokee
🎷 How musicians promote themselves today compared to 10 or 15 years ago
🎷 And many more!

Support the show and become a Patron!

For as little as a $2 donation each month, you get searchable transcripts for the episodes, Bonus videos with extra tips and content, a full Podcast directory, and the ability to suggest future guests.

Go to our Patreon site for more info.

We truly appreciate our supporters, who help keep the podcast running!