Tom Braxton -- Mar. 14, 2010

Accomplished, musically in touch, gentlemanly, humble, and patient to a fault. That’s Tom Braxton in a nutshell. Having a conversation with this marvelous saxophonist immediately took us from a normal interview setting in a literal sense to a sun-drenched patio and a couple of cold ones in a figurative sense. So easy and so pleasantly flowing was the conversation that spoke volumes about the man. See if you can capture some of that feel in this informative conversation.

TSJR: I think we have an idea as to the answer to this question, but here it is anyway: Who has served as the most influential figure in your musical life?

TB: I have to credit my very supportive dad with connecting me to jazz at an early age.  He introduced me to all the jazz legends: Lester Young, Miles, Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Stitt, Getz, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins and many more.  He would share how he had heard Count Basie and Duke's original bands and the great Ella Fitzgerald.  He put the alto sax in my hands in the 6th grade, after I had been playing piano for two years.  At the age of 90, my dad still plays his tenor sax and violin everyday, and he's still gigging!

TSJR: We understand that you also love to run relays as well. Tell us about how that love came about, and are you preparing to run in any events that we should note?

TB: Well, I ran track ever since the 4th grade. I just loved running. I ran all through middle and high school and actually took a track scholarship to Texas Tech and ran there.  Actually, it was interesting when we did the Smooth Jazz Cruise, a gentleman walked up to me and looked at me and said “You’re not going to remember me, but we were on the same track team some 20 years ago (laughs), and I said “Oh my goodness!” and took a second and remembered that we did run together back at Texas Tech and I really enjoyed it. I just run recreationally now. I just get out and put on the shoes. My kids are doing it now, so, we often get out and run together. So, I’m not doing anything competitively now, but I just love to do it to stay in shape.

TSJR: Tell us about the college years and the jazz fusion band you formed called “No Compromise.” Was it a springboard of sorts for your emergence in smooth jazz?

TB: Oh, it definitely was a great learning experience. I was planning on going to Tech for about a year, and then I wanted to transfer to North Texas because the University of North Texas up here in Denton is internationally known as a jazz school.  So, I went to Tech and I was in the marching band and the stage band, and I was playing some solo piano engagements around the Lubbock area, which is where I grew up, and I met this keyboardist from New York named Marcel, and we started writing some songs together, and we recruited some other guys from some of the other music departments and the next thing you know we had an ensemble and so we started playing quite a bit, and Texas Tech was so appreciative of what we were doing that they actually gave us a class, and by the time I was a junior or senior, we were getting credit for our ensemble. So, we did that for about 6 years, while I was in school and for awhile after I graduated, we traveled and opened a few concerts. It was a great experience. It was a great opportunity to write, as well. I did a lot of writing for that ensemble and got to try a lot of things and see what works and what doesn’t.  I still stay in touch with some of those guys.  Read full conversation


Pamela Williams -- Mar. 14, 2010

My experience with the "Saxtress," Pamela Williams, began many years ago with her debut release by the same name, and I’ve been following this incredibly talented saxophonist ever since. With a personality as charming as her music, she opens the door here to her compelling story of how to get it done in style.  Enjoy.

TSJR: You're from Philadelphia, right? I understand that, like so many others—especially those from Philly-- one of your early jazz influences was the late great Grover Washington Jr.  Are there others, as well?

PW:  Oh, yes.  While Grover was actually the first saxophone player that I heard who really got my attention, as an alto player—and I don’t just play alto, but when I first started, I started with alto--I also listened to Charlie Parker, the Crusaders, David Sanborn, and a whole lot of other horn players because I like a lot of different styles.

TSJR: Do you come from a musical family?

PW: Actually, no. I’ve asked my family, “So, no one sings or plays anything but me?” I guess I was supposed to be the first (laughs).