HA! HA! I Love You guys! I've been playing for 27 years... KEEP PLAYING!! There's no greater joy I know other than my walk with God than playing this instrument.
Bryan I must introduce myself. I'm married to a wonderful (65+years) guy and we share a love of music of all kinds. I find it difficult to express the feelings you send along to us with your Alto Sax. As a matter of fact, I just played it at high volume to remind my husband it was time for him to "rise and shine" for that first cup of coffee. We wish you the best of luck and send prayers, as you face the challenges ahead raising your family. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Thank you so very much! You're absolutely right... my motto is "If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes..." God bless you my friend!
@Bryan Smith, Dude........dude.......I mean.........dude!!! Blisteringly beautiful. High as the sky, and deep as the ocean, you've done all us music people proud with this one from the heart. I was always partial to that amazing flute in the original, but it has nothing on this soulful masterpiece. Lemme "like" this up and help you on your way. More please. Thank you.
Thank you soo much! Your kind words are much appreciated! I'm truly honored to receive such a compliment from someone I admire and respect such as yourself. I've been a fan of your work for some time...
WOW! I'm truly humbled by your remarks... to be even put anywhere near the same zip code as Paul Desmond is... well... "HUMBLING"! ;0) I'm just thankful to the ONE who gave me this music in my soul for the privilege of letting it out. Keep playing... do it from the deepest parts of you and let it flow from there... anything else is just notes! God Bless You! ~Bryan~
ALTO REPRESENT! this is the best sax playing i've heard in a while. i'm only in middle school band and i play alto sax, and hope that someday i can be this good.
I am a beginner sax learner just over a year since picking it up and I got to say this is one of the things that made me pick it up in the first place you sound awsome and you keep me inspired.
Thank you so much! And you can't go wrong getting your son started on this wonderful instrument... I'm biased of course! But it truly is a beautiful instrument and one that has brought me much pleasure through the years! God Bless and all the best to you and your son!
Well I must say that I am truly impressed with the way you were able to bring out the true tone of the saxophone. I am a 8 year sax player myself. I have played the Sophronia, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass. When listening to this work it makes me glad that I was able to take up something so wonderful. A true talent has been brought to the light here. Never stop doing what you do! Daniel
from a saxophonist to another this makes me feel the song in my soul and in my ears beautiful work man. I have been playing for four years but i only took time to master classical music and since im 14 i have plenty of time to master jazz. Beatiful work.........
Hey man... Thank You! Keep Playing! The important thing is to find a place deep within you to draw from. Anybody can play a string of notes on a page... but to take those notes and add emotion to them from deep within yourself and express what you're feeling through the instrument is the key. "That which comes from the heart connects to the heart!" So play from "the heart"!
I JUST STARTED PLAYING ALTO SAX AND I GOT WAS HAPPY I GOT IT ALL THE THINGS I COULD DO AND NOW WHEN I LOOK AT YOU I WANTED TO CONTINUE MY CAREER AS A MUSICIAN DO SAX ALSO MY FAMILY IS MUSIC BLOOD
Bryan: I am 84years old and while one of my favorites is Beethoven, your Georgia takes me into Soul ...I haven't heard better in all my days . A lot of musicians playing notes, but you are playing You! Bill Chronister Tulsa
Hey man... thank you so much for your very kind words! They are much appreciated. The Conn I'm playing here is a 1923 New Wonder Alto. That which comes from the heart connects to the heart... So PLAY FROM THE HEART!
Hi Tom and Thank You from the bottom of my heart! I'm playing a 1923 Conn alto in this video with a Runyon Bionix 11* Rubber mouthpiece. I use Vandoren V16 3.5 reeds and Oleg Ligatures. To record I use a standard vocal mic hooked up to an Alesis USB mixer that I connect directly to my computer. God Bless, Bryan "If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes..."
Hey man! Thanks so much for your very kind words... they are much appreciated! Keep playing... do it from the deepest parts of you and let it flow from there... anything else is just notes! God Bless You! ~Bryan~
Hey Thanks! I'm playing a 1920's - 30's era Conn alto with a Runyon Bionix 8* Jazz mouthpiece with #3 Vandoren reed. Mic'd up through an Alesis 8 USB mixer with the backing track being pumped through it as well and then captured on my computer.
Hey thanks alot for your comment! To answer your question, I just started recently playing again after hanging it up in '95 to focus on my wife and family, but she has now passed on and my kids are older, so I'm once again pursuing my FIRST love. But all told I've been playing for about 24 years minus the 10 years that I quit to be a better husband and father to my children.
Thanks alot man! Keep playing and carve your own style... break away from the sheet music and go where your ear and your soul take you. I learned more in my early years by just playing my favorites and "trying" to keep up with 'em than an music professor could've ever taught me.
This really is a great sounding alto, old Conn's rock! I myself have a '27 Conn alto, a '55 Buescher tenor and a sixties Besson baritone. Old horns just have so much more character than modern ones! Keep up the good work, amazing sound.
Hi Michael... and thanks so much for your comments! They are really and truly appreciated! It's a 1923 Conn New Wonder. Thanks again! Bryan If you're going to play, do it from the very depths of your soul! Anything else is just notes!
Hello my friend. This was actually not from memory or sheet music. I actually recorded this video three times, of the 3 this was the 2nd take. And I just played the melody by ear and improvised the non-melody fills as I went along. In all honesty, If I had to play this song exactly like this again It's not likely that I'd be able to. Keep playing... do it from the deepest parts of you and let it flow from there... anything else is just notes! God Bless You! ~Bryan~
Wow!... truly magnificent! I just came here to check the sound of sax before my son starts on it and this is amazing... haha... you just convinced me to spend some money on it...
Hi, thank you for your very kind words. I'm afraid I don't have any sheet music for this, I guess I should maybe try to chart it with as may requests as I have gotten for it. But I just played this off the cuff one day as a Christmas gift for my grandmother and mom. I would suggest that you just download it and play along with it if you really want to learn it. I learned more playing along with albums from the likes of Sanborn and Woods than any teacher could ever teach me. God Bless!
Hi! I've bee playing with guitar oriented bands for so long now that I really any key is fine with me. My favorite is probably anything around "G". I also like Bb alot, but you'll never catch a guitar oriented group playing ANYTHING in that key! ;0) Thank You! "If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes...."
This is an awesome rendition of a classic. I could feel your vibe through your articulation. Excellent. I love. Now, I will attempt to do the same Yamaha 62 after recieving the track and some practice. Take care.
Keep at it man.... ;0) Thank You! "If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes...."
Hi frank... thanks so much for your kind words. Really the only advice I can offer that's worth a flip is if you love it... then do it until you can't do it anymore. When I first started back in my JR & SR high school days I used to practice constantly usually falling asleep with my horn right beside me. It just takes a commitment and lots & lots of practice. If you don't already, find a "GOOD" private instructor. They can teach you way more than your school director as well. God Bless Man!
Hi Phil! Thanks for the comment and the kind words... I'm actually using a Runyon Bionix *11 jazz mouthpiece with a Vandoren #3 reed, and an Olegature lig. Thanks again... and God Bless!
Thanks so much for your comment... I'm glad to hear that you chose this wonderful instrument... I hope you find half as much enjoyment in it that have. If you send me your email in a PM I'd be happy to send you an MP3 of the backing track I used.
wow this is amazing! i'd love to play this song in my jazz band. i play alto sax too! the only girl lol, i love it so much though!! especially improv, but im no where nearly as good at it as you are! wow!
Hi! Sorry I don't have any sheet music for anything I play. Shoot.. .I don't even remember half of what I play. This and everything on here was totally improvised from top to bottom. Thank You! "If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes...."
Hi! Thank you so much for your kind words. They are much appreciated. I'd love to hear your quartet's version of this sometime if you are able. I've always enjoyed sax ensembles... what is the makeup of your quartet? Alto, Alto, Tenor, Bari or something else?
HA! HA! I Love You guys! I've been playing for 27 years... KEEP PLAYING!! There's no greater joy I know other than my walk with God than playing this instrument.
Bryan I must introduce myself. I'm married to a wonderful (65+years) guy and we share a love of music of all kinds. I find it difficult to express the feelings you send along to us with your Alto Sax. As a matter of fact, I just played it at high volume to
remind my husband it was time for him to "rise and shine" for that first cup of coffee.
We wish you the best of luck and send prayers, as you face the challenges ahead
raising your family. Thank you for sharing your talent.
This has got to be one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard in my life.
Thank you so very much! You're absolutely right... my motto is "If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes..."
God bless you my friend!
12 years later and my boyfriend still searches and loves this rendition
And many years later we are still searching as I am tonight. I am so glad I found this again.
Glad I stumbled upon this piece. Your soul must be at peace when you play like that. Thank you.
The amount of heart you put into this is amazing. I can't tell you how many times I've listened to this video.
@Bryan Smith,
Dude........dude.......I mean.........dude!!! Blisteringly beautiful. High as the sky, and deep as the ocean, you've done all us music people proud with this one from the heart.
I was always partial to that amazing flute in the original, but it has nothing on this soulful masterpiece.
Lemme "like" this up and help you on your way.
More please.
Thank you.
WOW! Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to this and leave such lovely remarks! They are much appreciated!
God Bless You!
Bryan
Tantilizingly Beautiful music and amazing musicianship from the depths of your soul...Thank you so much.
Thank you soo much! Your kind words are much appreciated! I'm truly honored to receive such a compliment from someone I admire and respect such as yourself. I've been a fan of your work for some time...
WOW! I'm truly humbled by your remarks... to be even put anywhere near the same zip code as Paul Desmond is... well... "HUMBLING"! ;0) I'm just thankful to the ONE who gave me this music in my soul for the privilege of letting it out.
Keep playing... do it from the deepest parts of you and let it flow from there... anything else is just notes!
God Bless You! ~Bryan~
ALTO REPRESENT! this is the best sax playing i've heard in a while. i'm only in middle school band and i play alto sax, and hope that someday i can be this good.
That's awesome man... I'd love to hear it sometime! Thank you for stopping by to listen and God Bless You.
FANTASTIC JOB !!! Sweet music for the SOUL.
Thank You!
"If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes...."
Beautifully played...such feeling for the instrument and the music.
I am a beginner sax learner just over a year since picking it up and I got to say this is one of the things that made me pick it up in the first place you sound awsome and you keep me inspired.
Superb, truly inspiring. I love hearing this version it makes me want to learn more. Thank you
That was so beautiful it brought a tear to my eye. It was brilliant. Thank you.
Another hit...you need to put more on youtube. I really enjoy listening to your music. It's so soothing!
What a wonderful tone. Excellent job!
great fantastic job i play the all the saxes but the alto is my favorite and this is why!!!! :D beautiful job from one musician to another
Thank you so much! And you can't go wrong getting your son started on this wonderful instrument... I'm biased of course! But it truly is a beautiful instrument and one that has brought me much pleasure through the years!
God Bless and all the best to you and your son!
that gave me chills! Absolutely stunning seriously.
Absolutely amazing!!! BRAVO!
Sweet sweet sweet sound!
Awesome!! That's a great song, and you played it beautifully!
Well I must say that I am truly impressed with the way you were able to bring out the true tone of the saxophone. I am a 8 year sax player myself. I have played the Sophronia, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass. When listening to this work it makes me glad that I was able to take up something so wonderful. A true talent has been brought to the light here. Never stop doing what you do!
Daniel
OMG! I am a fellow sax player,but I did't know somebody could be so good at playing sax!
Thanks friend by your music, your ragtime I have caused passed very good evening... thanks from Argentina!
I have this in my favourites, it is so beautifully played with skill and passion. Well done!!
Hey thanks alot! I have played tenor in the past and I have one, but I'm mainly an alto guy.
God Bless!
Bryan
Absolutely F'N sensational man. Deepest admiration of your playing. Respect.
so beautifully played!!!!
fantastic performance!
clarrisa
from a saxophonist to another this makes me feel the song in my soul and in my ears beautiful work man. I have been playing for four years but i only took time to master classical music and since im 14 i have plenty of time to master jazz. Beatiful work.........
Beautiful. So soulful
wow. that was some breathtaking playing, and so rich with soul. i'm thinking about taking up the sax now.
The best song,,,, wonderfulll
Congratulations....
Hey man... Thank You! Keep Playing! The important thing is to find a place deep within you to draw from. Anybody can play a string of notes on a page... but to take those notes and add emotion to them from deep within yourself and express what you're feeling through the instrument is the key. "That which comes from the heart connects to the heart!" So play from "the heart"!
I JUST STARTED PLAYING ALTO SAX AND I GOT WAS HAPPY I GOT IT ALL THE THINGS I COULD DO AND NOW WHEN I LOOK AT YOU I WANTED TO CONTINUE MY CAREER AS A MUSICIAN DO SAX ALSO MY FAMILY IS MUSIC BLOOD
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!FANTASTIC!!!
Yup, reckon I've hit the 'Replay' button enough to say I really like what you've done hear!
I've come to the conclusion that the alto sax is the most beautiful sounding instrument ever.
Bryan:
I am 84years old and while one of my favorites is Beethoven, your Georgia takes me into Soul ...I haven't heard better in all my days . A lot of musicians playing notes, but you are playing You!
Bill Chronister Tulsa
You can definitely hear the soul.
this makes me wanna pick my sax up again. i havent played in over four years
Hey man... thank you so much for your very kind words! They are much appreciated. The Conn I'm playing here is a 1923 New Wonder Alto.
That which comes from the heart connects to the heart... So PLAY FROM THE HEART!
Hi Tom and Thank You from the bottom of my heart!
I'm playing a 1923 Conn alto in this video with a Runyon Bionix 11* Rubber mouthpiece. I use Vandoren V16 3.5 reeds and Oleg Ligatures. To record I use a standard vocal mic hooked up to an Alesis USB mixer that I connect directly to my computer.
God Bless,
Bryan
"If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes..."
awe-some! nothing else to describe it!
Thank you very much!
God Bless,
Bryan
Hey man! Thanks so much for your very kind words... they are much appreciated!
Keep playing... do it from the deepest parts of you and let it flow from there... anything else is just notes!
God Bless You! ~Bryan~
greate Playing and feeling.....
Wow, I'm getting quite emotional now! Brilliant :)
Hey Thanks! I'm playing a 1920's - 30's era Conn alto with a Runyon Bionix 8* Jazz mouthpiece with #3 Vandoren reed. Mic'd up through an Alesis 8 USB mixer with the backing track being pumped through it as well and then captured on my computer.
This is Amazing.Great Job.
Hey thanks alot for your comment! To answer your question, I just started recently playing again after hanging it up in '95 to focus on my wife and family, but she has now passed on and my kids are older, so I'm once again pursuing my FIRST love. But all told I've been playing for about 24 years minus the 10 years that I quit to be a better husband and father to my children.
oh shit! love ur sound DAMN u play with so much passion!!!!!!! fantastic. wonderful.
Well done! This is great!
Thanks alot man! Keep playing and carve your own style... break away from the sheet music and go where your ear and your soul take you. I learned more in my early years by just playing my favorites and "trying" to keep up with 'em than an music professor could've ever taught me.
This really is a great sounding alto, old Conn's rock! I myself have a '27 Conn alto, a '55 Buescher tenor and a sixties Besson baritone. Old horns just have so much more character than modern ones! Keep up the good work, amazing sound.
WOOOOOO WElll wicked I love it, You make the alto sound so good wish i was as good but i 've only sarted Phew your good.
This really moved me
Hi Michael... and thanks so much for your comments! They are really and truly appreciated!
It's a 1923 Conn New Wonder.
Thanks again!
Bryan
If you're going to play, do it from the very depths of your soul! Anything else is just notes!
it broke my heart... so good inside me.
Wooah !! I have been playing for a year and I hope one day I can play like you :).I am learning a lot just by listening how you play this song ..
That was really great! You have an amazing sound I hope someday I can be play with that kind of flow
Hello my friend. This was actually not from memory or sheet music. I actually recorded this video three times, of the 3 this was the 2nd take. And I just played the melody by ear and improvised the non-melody fills as I went along. In all honesty, If I had to play this song exactly like this again It's not likely that I'd be able to.
Keep playing... do it from the deepest parts of you and let it flow from there... anything else is just notes!
God Bless You! ~Bryan~
You inspired me to start playing Alto Sax, but it'll take a long time before I get to be like you!
Fantastic, the best Ive heard,only wish I had even a small amount of your talent. Truly inspiring.
Amazing!!! Incredible improv!
You rock, my friend!!
bro, seriously.. that was beautiful. thank you for recording and sharing this gift of your soul
this definitley deserves more publicity . its pretty amazing like. well done !
Wow!... truly magnificent! I just came here to check the sound of sax before my son starts on it and this is amazing... haha... you just convinced me to spend some money on it...
Tout simplement exceptionnel !
Excellent !
Man - i bought a saxophone version of Georgia recently - been learning about 18 months. Mine sounds nothing like yours
Totally awesome - love it
HA! HA!
Thank You!
"If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes...."
Hi, thank you for your very kind words. I'm afraid I don't have any sheet music for this, I guess I should maybe try to chart it with as may requests as I have gotten for it. But I just played this off the cuff one day as a Christmas gift for my grandmother and mom. I would suggest that you just download it and play along with it if you really want to learn it. I learned more playing along with albums from the likes of Sanborn and Woods than any teacher could ever teach me.
God Bless!
that was beautiful!
Super good my friend :) I want to play like you. thanks for your video.
Well thanks man... It's GREAT to meet you!
I have an Alto sax. I can breathe out. And in. If I can make a sound like this before I die I will be a contented man.
Hi! I've bee playing with guitar oriented bands for so long now that I really any key is fine with me. My favorite is probably anything around "G". I also like Bb alot, but you'll never catch a guitar oriented group playing ANYTHING in that key! ;0)
Thank You!
"If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes...."
wow .. respect .. what more can i say !?
I must tip my hat off to you, that was some SOULFUL playing. You inspired me to pick up my EM Winston Alto Sax, and belt a few tunes as well.
This is an awesome rendition of a classic. I could feel your vibe through your articulation. Excellent. I love. Now, I will attempt to do the same Yamaha 62 after recieving the track and some practice. Take care.
Keep at it man.... ;0)
Thank You!
"If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes...."
Really nice!!!!
Hi frank... thanks so much for your kind words. Really the only advice I can offer that's worth a flip is if you love it... then do it until you can't do it anymore. When I first started back in my JR & SR high school days I used to practice constantly usually falling asleep with my horn right beside me. It just takes a commitment and lots & lots of practice. If you don't already, find a "GOOD" private instructor. They can teach you way more than your school director as well.
God Bless Man!
Im just a beginner and you Eagles1stflight, inspired me to start playing the alto saxophone.
Hi Phil! Thanks for the comment and the kind words... I'm actually using a Runyon Bionix *11 jazz mouthpiece with a Vandoren #3 reed, and an Olegature lig.
Thanks again... and God Bless!
Thanks so much for your comment... I'm glad to hear that you chose this wonderful instrument... I hope you find half as much enjoyment in it that have. If you send me your email in a PM I'd be happy to send you an MP3 of the backing track I used.
love love it.
wow this is amazing! i'd love to play this song in my jazz band. i play alto sax too! the only girl lol, i love it so much though!! especially improv, but im no where nearly as good at it as you are! wow!
hey sounds awesome.....
Well done!
Hi! Sorry I don't have any sheet music for anything I play. Shoot.. .I don't even remember half of what I play. This and everything on here was totally improvised from top to bottom.
Thank You!
"If you're going to play... play with all the passion and heart that God gave you! Anything less is just a series of notes...."
great playing!!! i was shocked at how good the quality of the sound was compared to the visual quality!
Hi! Thank you so much for your kind words. They are much appreciated. I'd love to hear your quartet's version of this sometime if you are able. I've always enjoyed sax ensembles... what is the makeup of your quartet? Alto, Alto, Tenor, Bari or something else?