James first instrument was the clarinet.  He never really liked the sound of the instrument and did as much as he could to change the sound by adding electronics. The electronics added made the clarinet sound like a keyboard synthesizer.  This experiment phase allowed him to play music he loved with his new skills and creativity.  James eventually started playing the alto sax, and after eight years of playing alto, he could finally afford to purchase a soprano sax. Once he got his first soprano sax, a Yamaha 675 Custom Soprano, he quickly realized that there was virtually no learning curve in playing this new addition to his saxophone family, because the clarinet and the soprano are both B flat instruments

James regularly plays the Alto Sax as it the primary sax used in the majority of his performances.  James had a difficult time early on as he switched from playing the clarinet to alto sax.  Unfortunately a choice to abandon reading music out of frustration because it was getting in the way of his creativity.  He felt it was easier to practice harder, memorize the music, and interpret the music his way.  James did very well until he started playing traditional jazz.  Attempting to play and create on the fly was difficult to say the least.  Playing the difficult jazz chord changes would be a piece of cake if he had not his abandoned his sight reading skills.  Trying to wrap his mind around different ways to approach a song on the fly is like trying to learn to swim after being thrown into the deep end.  You are either going to survive or drown, neither is good when it comes to live performance music.  Overtime he worked through the standards in survival mode and gained confidence because jazz lends itself to creativity.  He eventually developed methods and skills to identify certain progressions and ways to work through them and thrive rather than survive.   After numerous survival moments on the crest of thriving James decided to increase his potential of thriving by purchasing a Tenor Saxophone.

James is known for playing the Alto Saxophone, but he also plays the Tenor Sax. While many other musicians may pick up a second or third instrument for the fun of it, James is dedicated to each horn he plays. Hours are spent learning every possible technique and style each horn is able to create in the music genres he loves.  The Tenor has a rich heritage in Jazz music.  I tend to compare the different saxes in a visual way.  A Soprano is a slim small horn like a sleek sexy woman with a beautiful seductive voice that is soft and pleasing to the ear.  The Alto is like a welterweight in boxing  It can be a versatile mix of speed and power.  It is also capable of being soft or in your face and edgy at the same time.  The Tenor is muscle but lean, it has it all. It is the Heavy Weight especially when it comes to Jazz there is nothing like a Jazz Tenor.  

Even though I am known for my Alto playing I quickly learned from experience that some jazz gigs require a Tenor Sax. In my travels and experiences, the Tenor is the Primo Horn In Jazz spots internationally. Because my skills do not match the great Charlie Parker or several other Jazz greats, I chose to dedicate several years in becoming proficient and comfortable playing a Tenor Sax to stay relevant.  Fortunately the Yamaha family of horns all have a similar feel.  The comfort and feel of my Tenor Sax made the process easier, but it is still a work in progress.