Everything Saxophone Podcast

What really makes a saxophone sound: the player, the lacquer… or even the stones?
 
In Episode 264 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down live at the NAMM Show 2026 with Dr. Randal Clark to talk about the Award-Winning Black Sapphire Cannonball Saxophone and the exciting new releases from Cannonball Instruments.
 
⬇️ Jump to your favorite moments using the time markers below:
00:00 Introductions
00:36 The challenge of creating a beautiful blue finish
01:21 The new 30th Anniversary Black Sapphire Cannonball Sax
02:15 How does lacquer affect the sound
03:57 How the necks for The Big Bell Stone series are unique
05:39 Paul Taylor cameo
03:24 The new Midnight Alto Sax and the effects from the powder in the lacquer
07:05 The difference between the matte black finish on the Raven vs the finish on the Midnight
08:11 The new Black Ruby alto sax
08:56 The importance of the Cannonball Instruments looking beautiful
09:17 The Cannonball Instruments stones and the importance of the density
10:18 The effect the ligature has on your sound
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✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
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Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE

Trevor James Saxophones unveils exciting new models at the NAMM Show 2026!
 
In this episode, Donna sits down with Sandro Massullo to explore the brand-new Soprano EVO Intermediate Saxophone, the upcoming Pro Model prototype, and the impressive Low A Intermediate EVO Baritone Sax.
 
Donna shares what she personally loves about the Trevor James plus we also take a closer look at the thoughtfully designed bari sax case!
00:00 Introductions
00:47 The new Soprano EVO Intermediate Saxophone
01:56 The new Pro Model Saxophone - prototype
02:01 What Donna loves about the Trevor James saxes
02:39 The new Bari Sax Low A Intermediate EVO Model
03:37 How the Trevor James Bari Sax has stability on the keys
04:11 The Trevor James Bari Sax case
05:12 Where you can find the Trevor James saxophones

Explore more about Trevor James Saxophones and their socials-all in one place: 
https://saxophonepodcast.com/the-new-trevor-james-soprano-and-baritone-saxophones-sandro-massullo-live-at-the-namm-show-2026-ep-263
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Become a Patron today! 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access?
By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE

Our third episode recorded live at NAMM Show 2026 is here, and this one dives deep into mouthpiece design with Jody Espina of JodyJazz!
 
In Episode 262, Jody introduces the new Quasar Alto Sax Mouthpiece, demos it in real time, and explains the thinking behind its sound, response, and altissimo-friendly design. You'll also hear a standout demo from Baron Raymonde , plus one of your Patreon questions answered on the show.
 
➡️ Here's the timestamp of what we've talked about: 
00:09 Jody warming up on the new Quasar mouthpiece
00:24 Introductions
00:45 Jody demoing the new mouthpiece using various dynamics
01:01 Introducing the new Quasar alto sax mouthpiece
01:22 What inspired Jody to create this new mouthpiece
01:42 Considerations for making the altissimo easier
02:11 What makes the Quasar very unique
02:44 How to get more 'bottom' in the sound in the design
03:21 Saxophonist Baron Raymonde - background
03:34 Which ensembles/situations are best for the Quasar mouthpiece
04:29 What Baron loves about the Quasar
04:54 Baron demoing the mouthpiece (notice Donna and Jody's reaction 😳)
05:18 What Baron loves about the new Quasar
05:59 Debunking an altissimo register myth
06:55 A question from a Patreon subscriber
07:57 Difference between the Quasar and the SuperJet
Explore more about Jody Jazz Mouthpieces all in one place: 
https://saxophonepodcast.com/the-new-quasar-alto-sax-mouthpiece-from-jody-jazz-live-at-the-namm-show-2026-ep-262
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Become a Patron today! 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows 
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE

Live from NAMM Show 2026: Donna sat down with Matt Ambrose, Chief Machinist and CAD Designer at Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces, to talk about the new partnership with JJ Babbitt and what it means for the future of some of the most iconic saxophone mouthpieces ever made.
 
Donna and Matt talked about the classic Otto Link models, hard rubber vs. metal mouthpieces, modern production techniques, and Theo Wanne's continued evolution, including the Essentials Collection!
 
👇 Here's what we get into:
00:09 Introductions 
00:41 The Big Reveal
01:26 How the partnership started
02:25 The Metal Otto Link - The NY
03:34 Super Tone Master
04:15 Double Ring Florida
04:45 The Metal LA
05:06 The Link tenor sax line in metal and hard rubber
05:18 More on the collaboration story
06:13 Hard Rubber NY
06:49 LA Hard Rubber
07:08 The nature of molding hard rubber mouthpieces
07:48 The new manufacturing process
09:05 Patreon subscriber question and Theo's process
10:42 Always innovating 
11:23 Philosophy of working with JJ Babbitt
12:17 The reverence Theo pays to legendary mouthpieces 
16:07 2025 Essentials Mouthpieces from Theo Wanne
 
👉 Explore more about Theo Wanne and their socials-all in one place: 
https://saxophonepodcast.com/matt-ambrose-of-theo-wanne-saxophone-mouthpieces-the-new-partnership-with-jj-babbitt-live-at-the-namm-show-2026-ep-261
⭐️ Become a Patron today! 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows 
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available. & HERE

Recorded at the 2026 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, Donna sits down with saxophonist and educator Jeremiah True at the P. Mauriat booth to talk about what's new for sax players in 2026.
In this episode, Jeremiah shares insight into:
00:00 Introductions
00:48 Introducing the Black Lacquer Alto and Tenor Saxes
03:15 An exciting new collaboration with Boston Sax Shop
05:50 Boston Sax Shop Accessories Kit
06:23 P. Mauriat Touring Cases
08:23 the Low Bb Bari, PMB-302UL Model
08:50 Why Jeremiah prefers the Low Bb Bari for the music he performs
09:59 How the Low A changes the fundamental overtones
13:08 Upcoming performances at their booth
14:14 Patreon subscriber question
16:09 Bonus tip about the dark lacquer saxes
Explore more about P. Mauriat and their saxophones all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/p-mauriats-new-saxophones-for-2026-live-at-the-namm-show-with-jeremiah-true-ep-260
__________________________________________________________________
Become a Patron today! ⭐️ 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows 
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available 👉 LINK HERE