Posted on 11/06/2025 9:37:56 AM PST by real saxophonist
NATIONAL SAXOPHONE DAY
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.
Over the years, many great saxophone masters have graced the world with their music.
Stan Getz
Sidney Bechet
Mindi Abair
Sonny Rollins
Yolanda Brown
Lester Young
Eric Dolphy
Coleman Hawkins “Hawk”
John Coltrane
Elisa Hall
Charlie Parker “Bird”
Kenny G.
Steve Cole
Jimmy Dorsey
Julian Adderley “Cannonball”
Candy Dulfer
Grover Washington Jr.
Wesley Magoogan
Dick Parry
Herbie Flowers
Claire Daily
Ronnie Ross
HOW TO OBSERVE SAXOPHONE DAY
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.
NATIONAL SAXOPHONE DAY HISTORY
November 6th commemorates the birth of Adolphe Sax. However, National Day Calendar® continues researching the founder of this musical day.
Saxophone FAQ
Q. Why are saxophones considered woodwind instruments?
A. A saxophone uses a reed to produce sound making it a woodwind instrument.
Q. What is the smallest saxophone?
A. The smallest instrument in the saxophone family is the sopranissimo saxophone.
Q. What is the largest saxophone?
A. The largest instrument in the saxophone family is the baritone saxophone.(RS note: Nope, it's the contrabass saxophone. In Eb. Very rare. My best friend has a Bb bass saxophone.)
November 6th Celebrated History
1894
The Illinois inventor, William C. Hooker, receives patent No. 528,671 for the spring-loaded mousetrap. Boardgames have never been the same.
1923
U.S. Army colonel Jacob Schick was granted patent No. 1,690,133 for an electric razor. While others had invented electric razors before, Schick was the first to achieve commercial success.
1947
The news program, Meet the Press, debuts on NBC TV. Still airing today, it is the longest-running television program on network television.
1981
Two years after the black-footed ferret was thought to be extinct, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report the discovery of black-footed ferrets in Wyoming. A conservation effort is immediately set in motion.
2005
The film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire premieres in London. In the fourth installment of the books by J.K. Rowling, the students of Hogwarts are challenged to a wizarding competition.
2018
New York elects Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to the House of Representatives. At 29 years old, she's the youngest person to ever serve in the House.
November 6th Celebrated Birthdays
Antoine-Joseph Sax - 1814
In the 1840s, Sax received a patent for his invention of the woodwind instrument, the saxophone.
Charles Henry Dow - 1851
Along with Edward Jones and Charles Bergstresser, Dow founded Dow Jones & Company in 1882. He would also establish the Wall Street Journal.
John Philip Sousa - 1932
Known as the March King, the U.S. Marine Band leader composed 136 marches and recorded more than 400.
James Naismith - 1861
In 1891, the physical education teacher developed a game for his students using two peach baskets and a soccer ball. Today, basketball is played around the world.
Yoshisuke Aikawa - 1880
In 1933, the business leader founded Nissan, paving the way for the Japanese auto industry.
Ida Barney - 1886
The professor of mathematics and Yale University Observatory astronomer recorded the measurements of 150,000 stars during her career.
Opal Kunz - 1894
As an aviation pioneer, Kunz became the first woman to compete against men. She also organized the Betsy Ross Air Corps, providing humanitarian service during World War II.
Wilma Briggs - 1930
Over her seven-year career in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, the outfield earned a reputation for bringing in the runs. Not only was she fast, but her career batting average was .256 with 301 RBIs.
I had a little disagreement with my teacher Roger Greenberg. I said Kenny G was the worst thing to happen to saxophone.
He said anything that brings more attention to saxophone is a good thing.
And I agree with you about Scott Hamilton.
Okay, she’s... Okay. Not on my list.
Fela Kuti
There’s too much sax and violins on television.
Hey, you get where I’m coming from with these stories. Thanks
I knew that was coming.
I’m a Kenny G fan myself /s
Learn to work the saxophone
I, I’ll play just what I feel
Drink Scotch whiskey all night long
And die behind the wheel
I am not a musician, nor do I have musical ability, so I can enjoy your list and mine.
Well I feel so good ‘cause I feel so good
And I feel so good ‘cause it feels so right
I was made to go with my girl
Like a saxophone was made to go with the night
Dire Straits - Expresso Love
I heard on KUVO. Listen, and give them a couple of bucks if you can.
They called it "World Saxophone Day".
Well, one of my more prized possessions is a program signed by the original members of the World Saxophone Quartet in Atlanta.
Oliver Lake, Julius Hemphill, David Murray and Hamiet Bluiett.
David actually recognized me from his Octet in that same venue, a couple months earlier.
I copied Bluiett's signature, and taped it on my Series II baritone's bell. It's still there.
Yep.
Sonny Rollins is THE NICEST person I EVER met.
Great solo on The Stones’ “Waiting On A Friend”.
Yeah, I waited a while but nobody else would, so I had to.
Kuti married 27 women simultaneously in 1978.
I can't even get ONE.
Thanks for that. I will look more into him later.
Lawrence Welk.
Hilarious. A rotation of Kenny G and Michael Bolton would great to interrogate someone 😩
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