A busker entertains in Asheville
This week’s song celebrates a birthday in a round-about way. There are some interesting musical birthdays to celebrate on November 6: Glenn Frey of the Eagles (who had a #1 hit, Heartache Tonight, on his birthday in 1979), the jazz great Arturo Sandoval, and everyone’s favorite marching composer John Philip Sousa. But, I’m reaching back a little further into the 19th century to a musician and inventor with a direct impact on my life.
Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, was born on this day in 1814. Somewhere early in my life, the sounds of the saxophone became imprinted on my brain. My mother’s record collection was primarily built around the music of Elvis, but it had more than its share of ’50s pop/rock and a great big band-era box set. I devoured the music from Boots Randolph, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and others that spun off the vinyl. But the saxophone artist I kept returning to in that collection was the great Charlie Barnet.
I am certain that my fascination with his theme song, Cherokee, is one of the reasons I requested the saxophone when I signed up for band instruction in fifth grade. Well, that and Richie Cunningham looked so cool playing it on the television.
As I grew older and explored deeper in the world of jazz, I found more music to love from great saxophonists. Sadly, my own talent on the saxophone never really blossomed. I played it on through senior year into marching and concert bands, but my talent for music is mostly in the listening. I haven’t touched a sax in years and probably couldn’t even squeak my way through Mary Had A Little Lamb. But I don’t need to as long as I have access to music from folks such as Charlie Barnet. I’m happy to listen.
So, without further ado, here’s Charlie Barnet and his band with Cherokee. Happy birthday Adolphe Sax!
By the way, the National Music Museum (located in South Dakota) has a collection of Adolphe Sax’s saxophones.
About Shane Rhyne
I wear many hats in my personal and professional life. I am a public relations professional, writer, and social media advocate. I blog about topics of interest to me professionally and personally. Connect with me on Google+
