A Century of Development

 
     
  ¡@¡@Nothing about the history of development is coincidental, since the musical instruments and the music of different eras would be greatly influenced by the twists and turns of history. As early on as the 1930's, jazz musicians had discovered that saxophones would be a perfect solo musical instrument. Saxophones have great tone definition, as well as producing enough volume to be a great solo performer. It quickly replaced the feeble-sounding clarinet even though clarinet produced melodious sound as well.  
     
 
¡@¡@When John Coltrane was developing his brand of the jazz music at the end of the 1950's, he had asked the famous German jazz historian Joachim Berendt to collect the records of Sydney Bechet, who had been studying in France. After years of development, John Coltrane had finally completed ¡§My Favorite Things¡¨, which had become very popular among jazz fans.
Mr. John Coltrane
Mr. John Coltrane
 
     
  ¡@¡@The alto saxophone in the famous Arlington Jazz Band was very difficult to master, and its sound seemed to contain a lot of solid energy. Lester Young was capable of making the saxophone sound effortless. He was actually the first philosopher to use a tenor saxophone to think. Charlie Parker was very crafty, for his music sounded so smooth yet deep. A different interpretation could be made regardless of how many times Charlie Parker's music has been played. To sum it up, Omette Coleman said, ¡§The saxophones are the symbol of the black Americans' souls¡¨.  
     
  ¡@¡@The saxophone is beginning to take root and grow stronger in Taiwan, thanks to the proliferation of bands and audience base. Even though the condition for the saxophone's growth in Taiwan is not ideal, there are always a number of saxophone fans that are quietly trying to lead the way. They are sharing the passion of the saxophone, and they are working toward making this musical instrument the pride and joy of Taiwan.