Review Centre: Saxophone Players

"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:

"We spent weeks researching the best wedding saxophonist, and after reading countless reviews and watching performances, we found SaxoNeo—and wow, what a discovery! His energy, passion, and ability to create an unforgettable atmosphere set him apart. Our wedding day was truly magical, and his music made it even more special. If you're looking for a saxophonist who will leave your guests speechless, SaxoNeo is the one!"

Reply by SaxoNeo - Music for wedding events
Thanks guys for your nice words❤️

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I went to go hear Doc play at the Mercado and hearing him play the saxophone was an awesome experience! He's very knowledgeable in the songs he plays and history. He's a very nice person! I highly recommend you book him for any events you definitely won't regret it . He's going to be playing at my wedding and I'm very excited to have him play the saxophone."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A massive thank you to you and the band for the performance at our wedding. It was fantastic! Your service was amazing in the run up. We’ve put a short video on Facebook and will recommend you to all our friends and family. We had so many comments on the night about how great you were!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Michael played beautifully and created just the right ambience for a drinks reception outside our church in challenging weather conditions!!! He had wind and rain to contend with but took it all in his stride and we are enormously grateful to him! I’d definitely recommend him."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Amazing musician! Wide range of musical/instrumental talents, especially saxophone/woodwinds. Not many people do classical saxophone and no one as well as Robin."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Sam did a lovely job playing the saxophone for our wedding. He did our aisle song which was Angels by Robbie Williams, it was absolutely brilliant listening to it on the sax. Made our wedding day complete 🩷"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Soul Vibe Band to play our wedding, and they were fantastic! Kainy who was our contact was very helpful in the lead up to the wedding and was a pleasure to work with, and they even arranged something especially for our first dance, which we hugely appreciated. They keep the energy up and put on a great set, and for a six piece band were exceptionally reasonably priced. I would absolutely recommend them for anyone looking for their own wedding band!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dr Saxy played my request for my mom Besame Mucho beautifully… thank you sir"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dr. Hinojosa has performed various times for our events. He is very dedicated and professional. The songs he plays are from various eras and people enjoy them. Excellent musician!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Amazing, had so many compliments Easy to book, I wanted ibiza style music and sax and got exactly what I asked for would highly recommend & definitely use again Thank you Mark! (10 / 10) "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I have seen several of his family, which is my family perform in many capacities. Bringing joy and pleasure to whomever are graced to be in attendance. My family I adore highly for God's gift to them to share such a spiritual talent through what's ever graced to them. God continue to open doors that gives glory to You, and close doors that profit nothing of Your glory in Jesus name. Hallelujah Amen "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"AMAZING such a talented person…. Fun to watch and very classy. Has so much energy 10/10 "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Excellent "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Eugene did an Amazing job!!! He performed a couple of songs for a Surprise 60th Birthday Party! He played and allows people to get up dance he really knows how to make the sax talk lol!"

Reply by Eugene Peebles with "The Talking Sax"
Thanks! I appreciate if very much! Eugene Peebles🎷

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: