EP 106 - SAM NEWSOME; A visual saxophone artist who paints with notes

To celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, we are really excited to present New York-based saxophonist and composer Sam Newsome.

Sam often works in the medium of solo saxophone, an approach for which he received a five-star review in Downbeat magazine & gained world-wide critical acclaim with his 2009 recording, Blue Soliloquy: Solo Works for Soprano Saxophone. 

Ed Enright, from Downbeat magazine, called the 2014 release, The Straight Horn of Africa, “a modern masterpiece.”

Many of the notes and sounds used in his compositions and improvisations stem from his sound palette of extended techniques and saxophone preparations.

Newsome often attaches tube extensions to the neck of the soprano that significantly changes the timbre of the instrument as well as extends the soprano’s range by an octave or two.

Conceptually speaking, Newsome sees himself more along the lines of a visual artist who paints with notes and sounds rather than shapes and colors.

Newsome has also received numerous accolades for his adventurous work, including this year’s 2020 Instant Award in Improvised Music, along with fellow avant-gardists Peter Brotzmann and John Butcher.

He was also named a nominee for Soprano Saxophonist of the Year by the 2020 Jazz Journalist Association. 

In addition to his solo work, Newsome leads a trio with Hilliard Greene and Reggie Nicholson.

He is a frequent collaborator with drummer Andrew Cyrille, vocalist Fay Victor, and tours regularly with Pepperland, a music and dance work by Mark Morris and Ethan Iverson that pays tribute to The Beatles.

The link to his full biography, along with more Resources for this episode, is on our website.

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