Hornin' In

When you put a baritone mouthpiece on a tenor saxophone and play the thing loud with a bluesy sound it's known as the Texas tenor style. Lots of great musicians, including Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane played the tenor saxophone but the Texas tenor sound is distinctly original...

By Dianna Wray

January 22, 2009

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When you put a baritone mouthpiece on a tenor saxophone and play the thing loud with a bluesy sound it's known as the Texas tenor style. Lots of great musicians, including Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane played the tenor saxophone but the Texas tenor sound is distinctly original (kind of like putting the head of a bobcat on Mr. Fluffy the house cat). The opportunity to hear this for yourself, in person, is available in two nights of concerts at the Texas Tenors Jazz Festival, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Friday night features the Woody Herman Orchestra and it's worth the price of the ticket just stand in the same room with Saturday's featured performer, James "Red" Holloway, since he's played with some of the greats--Lionel Hampton, Sonny Rollins and Billie Holiday. Performances will take place at the University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road in Richardson, in the University Conference Center. Tickets are $25, or $40 for both nights. Call 972-883-2552.
Fri., Jan. 30, 8 p.m.; Sat., Jan. 31, 8 p.m., 2009

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