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.
Perfect opportunity for another story:My girlfriend and her roommate were going to the beach in Savannah. They had to go right past Portman's Music to get there.
My soprano saxophone had some keys that were sticking, so I wrote a note to my favorite repair guy (RIP Shel)
As I was opening the case to put the note in, the roommate goes, "OOOOOOOOHHHH!That's what Kenny G plays!
One of the funniest things was his little feud with Kenny G.
I'm sorry, but I had to laugh when his house burned down
Klemmer is good to go.
Don’t know why but you came straight to my mind.
Kuti made some records with Ginger Baker.
The Rolling Stones - Waiting On A Friend - OFFICIAL PROMO
As a professional musician, I know how to get to the Green Room, which are never green, they're usually blue.
And here comes Sonny. He left something on stage
And yeah, we just talked shop for about 10 minutes.
,,, Billy Jeff Klinton played the sax, maybe still does - it gave him the ability to keep his hands off other things.
Some of the best sax solos on pop/rock records:
Al Stewart - Year Of The Cat and Time Passages
Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street
Clarence Clemons doesn’t rate?
Also David Sandborn on Bowie’s “Young Americans”
That aside, he is touted as the pioneer of Afrobeat music genre
My favorite of his would have to be Gentleman
Fwiw, British drummer Ginger Baker spent a couple years in Africa with Fela .
Oh gosh. I would not want to be around for that.
Love the saxophone in “The Year of the Cat.” Best sax entry ever.
See post 54. Thanks!
I played the E flat Alto in high school and college marching band for 7 years.
Ginger Baker is good to go.
“Beware of Mr. Baker” was a great documentary. But Mr. Baker could be quite ornery.
The video of Je’nwi Teni (Don’t Gag Me)” is something else .
Here, Fela isn’t playing, he’s dancing with several scantily clad woman. The boys are jamming though. Sax player Igo Chico handles the sax here .
Michael Brecker played sax on Dire Straits’ ‘Your Latest Trick’.
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