An utterly unbelievable thing....

I don't know how many (if any) of you know this, but I played Saxophone in middle and high school.  I was pretty damn good, too.  The weird thing is that I'm not a fan of most jazz, and never really played anything other than Orchestra and Marching Band (until I was made Field Commander, anyway).  In fact, even on piano, it wasn't until I was in my late 20s that I taught myself to REALLY play by ear/fake/whatever.  I was a slave to the music page.  Which stunk.
 
In school, I had my mother's saxophone of undetermined age.  It was Silver.  It said "Oliver Ditson" on the bell.  It was lovely.  That's all I knew about it.  I also had a piece of junk gold-toned Bundy that I used for the short time I actually marched with it.  I hated that one. 
 
So.  Picture this.... High School graduation, 1991.  While I'm graduating, I'm also sitting in the band playing Pomp & Circumstance for myself, because the band was so small that I had to be there or half the sound would be missing.  We play, me using mom's gorgeous machine.  I graduate, blah blah blah.
 
After the ceremony, as per usual, I took my Sax back to the bandroom and stuck it in my cubby.  Then I left.
 
Never to return.
 
I don't know how long it was before I realized that I'd left my (mother's!) sax in the band room.  But, it was long enough that I was away at college.... Years went by before I thought of it again, but I occassionally missed it.  A friend let me play his sax once or twice, but I couldn't do it.  I figured I'd never play again.
 
I recently friended my High School librarian on Facebook (she was a actual friend).  Someone else started talking about the Marching Band, which lead me to admit that I'd left my sax at school after Graduation.  Stupid girl.  So, I decided to message the librarian and ask her if she'd check on it for me - knowing that even to ask was ridiculous, as not only had 20 years passed, but the school itself had been moved and to a new location. (!)
 
She found it.
 
Oh.  My.  WORD!
 
My mother picked it up and brought it to me when she visted earlier this month.  She'd had the pads and corks replaced and someone had stolen the mouthpiece, but nevermind! 
 
If that weren't strange enough, I picked her up, reeded the new mouthpiece and started playing like I'd never lost it. Amazing.
 
So, then I started researching it online... what kind is it, who made it, how old? 
 
Turns out it's at least 80 years old and like made by Beucher.  Probably worth between $4000 & $8000. 
 
Huh.  Who woulda thunk it???
All this just to say that I recorded sax for the first time ever today.  :)
 

 

That's a great story.  I'm guessing that sax will never be left behind again!

I was going to say that I found the story utterly unbelievable, but there's a picture and it's on the Internet.  That's how I know know it's true. 

Oh.  And also because Julibee said it, of course.  I mean, it's not like she's running around claiming to have an Alembic or anything.

Wonderful story from a wonderful woman, Jules.

Thanks, boys!  I know it.  And I hesitate to even say it... what with all the inevitable "sax/sex" references... but my mouth hurts.  Been a looong time.  :D

Here's a tease... Just for you, Bill...  ;)

http://soundcloud.com/julibee/tease-for-radiant/s-6ZVdX

timidi


cool story. The coffee house band could probly use a sex sax.

HAHAHAHA!  That was a good one.  It's just such a shame that one can't look like a hottie playing her sax-a-ma-phone.  :)

Huh. No, I avoid Idol at all costs... But I'm glad SOMEONE looks Awesome. I look ridiculous. :)

Cool story!  After hearing too many stories about tornados lately I needed a something to make me smile.

That was just WAY too short Julie! MORE MORE MORE !!!

+10000.

Love to hear why your shining....

That sax looks like a real honest to goodness beaut too.

nice story.

Julianna, that is just so cool!  Wow!  I love it. I also love it that you can just pick it up and play it like it hasn't been 20 years. Wonderful.  Have fun!  :)

Great story. I wish my 1961 Gibson SG would come back to me.

Great story, Jules! 

<Aside to Bapu- Psst, Ed, sign her up for you know which tune I'm thinking about, but don't tell anyone.>

Janet, I readily admit to not being perfect technically (picking it up again pretty quickly though), but musically, I'm a better player. Would never have been able to improvise or "hear" anything not written down back in high school. So, that's pretty nice. Bub, I have no idea what that is. I'm sure it's pretty awful that I don't know. :S. Middleman, if I happen across it, I'll definitely pm you.