National Saxophone Day commemorates the birth of the woodwind’s inventor, Adolphe Sax, on November 6th. The saxophone is one of the main instruments in jazz music.
Born on November 6, 1814, Adolphe Sax invented many musical instruments including the saxophone. Sax constructed saxophones in several sizes in the early 1840s. On June 28, 1846, he received a 15-year patent for the instrument. The patent encompassed 14 different versions of the fundamental design, split into two categories of seven instruments each and ranging from sopranino to contrabass.
After Sax’s patent expired in 1866, several saxophonists and instrument manufacturers implemented their own improvements to the original design and key work.
Checkout some of these on our favorites Jazz Saxophone Playlist.
When is National Jazz Appreciation Month?
Over the years, many great saxophone masters have graced the world with their music.
- Stan Getz
- Sidney Bechet
- Sonny Rollins
- Lester Young
- Eric Dolphy
- Coleman Hawkins “Hawk”
- John Coltrane
- Charlie Parker “Bird”
- Kenny G.
- Steve Cole
- Jimmy Dorsey
- Julian Adderley “Cannonball”
- Grover Washington Jr.
- Wesley Magoogan
- Dick Parry
- Herbie Flowers
- Ronnie Ross
- Cindy Dolpher
- Frankie Trembower
HOW TO OBSERVE #SaxophoneDay
Listen to some saxophone music. Go to a Jazz concert. Even play the saxophone if you have one. Read about your favorite jazz musician. Teach someone to play the saxophone. Donate to your school’s music program. Use #SaxophoneDay to post on social media.