Invented in the early 1840s, the saxophone was a relative latecomer to music—and to jazz. But starting in the mid-1920s, with the rise of the big bands, the instrument slowly but steadily evolved from ...

John Gunther teaches our jazz saxophone majors, including BM, MM and DMA students. At all levels, Gunther works with his students to develop and maintain a solid foundation in the physical aspects of ...

The alto saxophone is one of the most popular instruments in jazz and pop music, known for its smooth, expressive sound. Over the years, many talented musicians have made their mark playing the alto ...

When tenor saxophonist John Coltrane recorded his composition "Giant Steps" in 1959, he created something that changed the way musicians thought about improvisation and harmony. Decades earlier, the ...

Renowned the world over for his slick, funky and Rhythm & Blues-influenced jazz style, Sanborn, whose major instrument is the alto-saxophone, is a multi-Grammy Award winner If you ever tuned in to ...

Sarah Hanahan was named the top rising alto sax star in Downbeat magazine's 2025 critics' poll. Saxophonist Sarah Hanahan will perform at SUNY Schenectady on Friday, Oct. 3. Saxophonist Sarah Hanahan, ...