Keep Taking Ground Saxophone PodcastExplicit

by Jesse Ryan

A new and exciting podcast for the professional and aspiring professional saxophonist, that features 30minute conversations with in-demand and award-winning saxophonists from around the world and across jazz and contemporary styles. Music is a living, breathing art-form that is kept alive by the innovators, composers and musicians that dedicate their lives to learning, creating and sharing the music they love. I believe that ... 

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Podcast episodes

  • Season 2

  • S2 - Ep24: Special Episode | "P. Mauriat Saxophones" with Jeremy True

    S2 - Ep24: Special Episode | "P. Mauriat Saxophones" with Jeremy True

    S02 E24
    01:06:38

    For our finale episode of the season, I chat with the brand manager for P. Mauriat North America, Jeremiah True. Playing saxophones, clarinets, flutes, and bassoons, he is a reed specialist and has performed with Donnie McCaslin, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra with Bobby Watson. We discuss his experience with burnout as a college music student, his transition from the military to the instrument retail industry, P. Mauriat's saxophones as an affordable choice in the market and their upcoming product line.

  • S02 - E23: "Ear-Training for Improvisers" with Grace Kelly.

    S02 - E23: "Ear-Training for Improvisers" with Grace Kelly.

    S02 E23
    01:07:55

    This week I chat with singer, songwriter, educator and saxophonist prodigy Grace Kelly. Recognized as a millennial jazz influencer, she has performed with legends late Dave Brubeck Lee Konitz and Wynton Marsalis, to name a few. She co-founded the online saxophone school Saxy School and is the youngest trustee on Berklee College of Music's Board. We discuss the impact her early music teachers had on her, studying with saxophone legend Phil Woods, and how ear-training is the key to growth as an improviser.

  • S02 - E22: "Exploring Caribbean Rhythms and Jazz Harmony" with Jacques Shwarz-Bart.

    S02 - E22: "Exploring Caribbean Rhythms and Jazz Harmony" with Jacques Shwarz-Bart.

    S02 E22
    01:19:54

    This week, I chat with recording artist, educator and bandleader, Jacques Schwarz-Bart. Born in Guadeloupe, Jacques played a key role in neo-soul and Creole Jazz movements, collaborating with artists like D'Angelo and late jazz legend, Roy Hargrove. We talk about incorporating Caribbean Rhythms into your improvisational approach, teaching at Berklee College of Music, his work as the pioneer of the Gwoka and Voodoo Jazz movement and more.

  • S02 - E21: "Deep Listening and Transcribing" with Sarah Hanahan.

    S02 - E21: "Deep Listening and Transcribing" with Sarah Hanahan.

    S02 E21
    01:13:05

    This week I chat with rising-star jazz saxophonist in New York who was recently named one of NPR Jazz Night in America’s 30 under 30 Youngbloods, Sarah Hanahan. She’s performed with Mingus Big Band, Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y, Joe Farnsworth, and more. We discuss being mentored by bassist Nat Reeves, transcribing and deep listening, playing melodically and how true learning comes from playing with the greats.

  • S02 - E20: "Playing Lead Alto" with Andrew Gould.

    S02 - E20: "Playing Lead Alto" with Andrew Gould.

    S02 E20
    01:00:14

    This week, I chat with native New Yorker, Andrew Gould. He holds degrees from both Manhattan School of Music and SUNY Purchase, was a 2013 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition semi-finalist and has been featured on multiple GRAMMY-nominated recordings including the recent 2021 GRAMMY winning “Meta Knights Revenge” with the 8 Bit Big Band. He's performed with legends like James Moody and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and leads his own group. We speak about growing up in New York, playing lead alto, how he developed as an improviser, and about the fastest way to develop on the saxophone.