Review Centre: Saxophone Players

"Dave is an superb player and a very reliable person. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a fantastic and talented man Jan is, he played the saxophone and joined in with the other singers that I had . Everyone at my party said how great he was. I would always recommend Jan to all my family and friends. Hope to see him again in the future. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Charlie Jennison's debut album for Maine's Invisible Music Records is a smooth piece of work. "Smooth" not in the sense of the saccharine stuff served up by contemporary jazz players, but smooth as in classy unpretentiousness in the playing. Jennison is an alumnus of the Do'ah Wild Music Ensemble, a New Hampshire group which recorded for Global Pacific label. He has since gravitated to jazz having recorded with singers Kathleen Kolman and Leila Percy, among others. Jennison has also worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry and Buddy DeFranco and is on the faculty of New Hampshire's Phillips Exeter Academy. Forsaking standard material for his first album, the play list is made up of ten Jennison originals all in various tempi and style, but which start getting repetitious along the way as ideas get thin. Some of the better pieces include "To You, From Me" which features Jennison on alto with some exciting drum breaks by Ken Clark. Another piece spotlighting Jennison's alto, which sounds like Phil Woods when Woods is in a mellow mood, is the lovely ballad "Georgie," with "My Anne" rivaling "Georgie" for sheer musical attractiveness. The tenor takes over on "Watch Your Step" with Jennison showing some incredible dexterity with daring fingering technique. There's a nice blues with a funky piano solo by Jim Butka and good bass strumming from John Hunter on "Amanda's Blues." Jennison brings out his soprano on "Rain in My Coffee" which has a light Latin beat with more good piano from Jim Butka. But virtually all tunes on this session take the same course. There's an introduction establishing the basic melody structure, followed by some technically compelling fingering after which there's a return to the melody. No matter how good the instrumentalist is —and Jennison is very good—unless the original material is superior, it's not going to hold one's attention for a whole sitting. And that is the case here. I have heard Jennison on other albums and he handles standard stuff very well. It would have behooved him to have put a couple of those on this CD. This would have strengthened the credibility of the original material."

Reply by Charlie Jennison Quartet
I appreciate Dave Nathan's willingness to review my flagship release and also recognize his candor in suggesting that the original material I wrote could have been strengthened by including some standard tunes as well. I would like to note that, in more than one instance, I used the framework of a jazz standard as the foundation for a new composition. For example, on the track, "To You, From Me," I employed the chord progression to Cole Porter's "You Do Something To Me." My tune, "Amanda's Blues" is also just a variation of a standard minor blues. With a lifetime of experience playing, I now recognize his observation of "virtually all tunes on this session take the same course," to be spot on. This was, after all, my first (and only) excursion into the realm of recorded jazz, and as a young player, I still had a lot to learn about crafting the presentation of material in a more interesting way. Now that I am getting close to 80 years old, I have decided to create another album of original material with the same players, kind of like a bookend to wrap up a successful career teaching and playing (although not recording). Look for a release sometime in 2026!

Rating: 8 / 10 Share this review:

"Good smooth music very friendly plays good music "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I think Jeffery is an amazing saxophonist and committed to every deal we agreed to. He was super professional during and after the event"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Igor exceeded our expectations — he played during our son’s wedding cocktail hour and sounded absolutely amazing!"

Reply by Ontario saxophonist Igor Babich
Thank you so much, Mary!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I’m Joe Rico. Host of Jay-Dees Jam Nite in Alhambra; 11 years running pro jam night. I have been running what many studio and touring cats call “ one of the best kept secrets in the San Gabriel Valley/Los Angeles—- our open and pro jam nights... there is so much talent out there and they are fired up to play and listen to awesome, eclectic mixes of LIVE music. Among the best parts is having someone exceptional walk in, someone whose virtuosity triggers the “oomph!” That’d be Dougie—Doug Earley. Give him a wink or a nod in the middle of the song and when he steps up, dessert is served! Candlelight jazz, spunk, funk, fusion, power—From Thelonius Monk to the sweetest of Motown and the pop energy of LAs wrecking crew... Sign him up! Carry-on children, Joe Rico, former news reporter KNBC News/ Los Angeles."

Reply by Doug Earley Saxophonist
Thanks for everything Joe! Doug Earley

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely amazing experience, I used Fay for both our weddings (we had a smaller party and a big one) at the big one she also DJed in between sets snd was AMAZING ~ really gets in with the crowd and gets the party started! Thank you so much Fay you da BEST! Xxxx ?"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Dan We just wanted to say a huge thank you. YOU were amazing from the moment you arrived at our 25 Wedding Anniversary vow renewal you played on the terrace in the sunshine and our guests were enchanted. As Matthew & I had our photos taken down by the lake your saxophone playing filled the air and it just made everything so perfect. In the evening your DJ skills were just as amazing the music was everything we had asked for and when you play the saxophone along with everyone’s favourite tracks it just sets the party to another level the dance floor was buzzing all night long. You are a very talented young man and YOU made our day one we shall never forget. We wish you the very best and should you ever need a recommendation don’t hesitate to ask. Please feel free to post this to your Facebook or website as people don’t know what they are missing. All the best Matt & Elaine"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"When we started planning our wedding, music was one of the most important elements for us. We wanted our guests to experience something truly special throughout the entire day, with the perfect atmosphere for every moment—and the Acoustic Rockin Duo and Renato exceeded all our expectations. Laura and I live in London, but celebrating our wedding in Italy gave us the opportunity to bring together friends and family from different places and backgrounds. We wanted a musical experience that felt elegant, authentic, and personal, while still creating an incredible atmosphere of celebration. The Acoustic Rockin Duo accompanied us throughout the day, creating the perfect soundtrack for every special moment. Their live acoustic music brought warmth, elegance, and a unique energy to our celebration, perfectly adapting to the different atmospheres of the day and making every moment even more memorable. Then, as the evening arrived, Renato took over the DJ set and transformed the celebration into an absolutely unforgettable party. The dance floor was full of energy, and guests of all ages and with different musical tastes came together to celebrate, dance, and enjoy every single moment. What impressed us the most was the ability of the entire team to understand exactly what we wanted. Every musical choice felt perfectly connected to our personalities and to the atmosphere we had imagined for our wedding. Their professionalism, versatility, attention to detail, and passion for music made a real difference and elevated the entire experience. For couples looking for a complete and highly professional musical experience for their wedding—from elegant live music throughout the day to an incredible DJ party at night—we could not recommend the Acoustic Rockin Duo and Renato highly enough. Thank you for creating the soundtrack to one of the most beautiful and unforgettable days of our lives. Laura & Marco"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This was the first time I have the opportunity to go enjoy this beautiful soul who express himself through his Saxo, I can’t say other than Waooo!!! exceeded my expectations!!! Anybody who love music please go for it. Amazing. I imagine him in a large auditorium touching the hearts of his audience."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Michela is not only a young violinist, she is very friendly yet very professional and exceptional. Michela is beautiful and down to earth. She can play all different types of music and even any requested songs. Michela and Elia recently performed on the Majestic Princess and we have enjoyed her music very much. Michela can also play the saxophone. Michela and Elia made our cruise more memorable and enjoyable. Thank you for your music. "

Reply by Michela Ramilli
Hi Jane, thank you very much for your kind words, I really aprecciate it. Can you please text me on whatsapp at my number?

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Fabulous really added to my birthday evening. Thankyou totally recommend x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Voor onze bruiloft zochten we iets unieks en speciaals. Via vrienden werden we getipt op Tommy and James. Ze waren pas bij een bruiloft geweest waar Tommy and James bewegend door de zaal de meest lekkere Jazz-pop muziek speelde. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"he. plays classical like in. the movies I love. it.💚"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: