Happy Saxophone Day!

Photo by sjdunphy, from Flickr

Nov. 6 marks the day that saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax was born, in 1814.  Here's a link to his bio on Wikipedia.

Giant saxophone in Sax's birthplace, Dinant, Belgium.  Photo by Zephyrinus, from Flickr

He was a Belgian instrument maker, responsible for several advances in valved instruments.  His most famous invention was the saxophone, patented by him in 1846.   Altogether, Sax designed 14 types of saxophones, ranging from tiny (the sopranino) to honking (the subcontrabass, so large it was not built during Sax's lifetime).

Intended to form a bridge between woodwinds and brass, the saxophone has proven a versatile instrument for classical and military music, jazz and rock.  Here's a list of famous sax players, both real and fictional.

So, saxophone players and saxophone fans, let's celebrate today Sax's most famous creation!

Here's a video of the San Francisco Saxophone Quartet playing the Hornpipe from Handel's Water Music.



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