Soulful

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National Saxophone Day is celebrated on November 6, on the birthday of Antoine-Joseph ‘Adolphe’ Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. This soulful instrument has a rich history and musical range. We love the saxophone and what it brings to both the classical- and jazz music worlds. This incredibly unique musical invention is the only instrument to be created by solely one person as well as being the woodwind family’s only brass instrument. Through the ages, the saxophone has a long legacy for its contributions to music by the likes of classical saxophonist Marcel Mule and the famous jazz musician Charlie Parker to name a few.

Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in 1841 and patented it in 1846. Born in Dinant, now known as Belgium, this Belgian inventor is also famously known for his several near-death experiences in his childhood. To name a few, he survived falling down three flights of stairs, a gunpowder explosion, and swallowing pins in watered-down sulphuric acid thinking it was milk!

Despite all these misfortunes, he lived to invent the saxophone, which would become a great modern contribution to the music world. Having studied the flute and the clarinet, Sax invented many musical instruments before the saxophone. He created various ‘sax’ brass instruments including the saxtuba, saxotromba, and the saxhorn. However, these instruments never received the same popularity in the musical community as the saxophone did and quickly faded into non-existence.