A brief trip back to the 1920s to celebrate the jazz style of the era and, above all, a particular instrument that has long since fallen out of fashion: the C-Melody Sax, or C-melody tenor saxophone, famously played at the time by saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer, a close associate of Bix Beiderbecke. For a taste of that world, I would point you to Pupi Avati’s film Bix.
And the man responsible for this delightfully danceable reunion is Chad Smith, a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist whose CV is enough to make your head spin. Piccolo, concert flute, alto flute, bass flute, E-flat, B-flat, bass, contra-alto and contrabass clarinets, bassoon and contrabassoon, every member of the saxophone family including the bass saxophone, Irish flutes or tin whistles, ocarinas, recorders… The list seems to have no end.
Chad Smith sees himself as a worthy heir to Rudy Wiedoeft, one of the musicians who helped popularize the saxophone in its early days, when it still had to win over ears not entirely convinced by this curious machine devised by Adolphe Sax.
But there is considerably more to Smith than historical re-enactment. He also composes and performs a vast amount of music for film and television in the United States, including West Side Story, Star Wars, Grease and The Simpsons, to name only the best known. In short, a genuine jack-of-all-trades when it comes to saxophones.
Our saxophonist of the day has also performed with some of the world’s most prestigious ensembles, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Mostly Mozart, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, New York Pops, American Symphony, New Jersey Symphony and Albany Symphony. He has also shared the stage with Paquito D’Rivera, Vince Giordano, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, John Pizzarelli, The Temptations, Arturo Sandoval and Lady Gaga, among many others.
As for the album itself, the sheer speed of the playing immediately leaves us wondering whether the man might secretly have four hands (Sax-O-Trix). Throughout the recording, Chad Smith demonstrates remarkable dexterity on the reeds and a melodic intensity of unusual force, further enhanced by the presence of the full orchestra. At times, its arrangements bring to mind the work of Paul Whiteman, another point of connection with the world of Bix.
The sound of the C-Melody Sax is instantly recognizable, occupying a fascinating middle ground somewhere between alto and tenor. It is worth noting that the instrument is now hardly manufactured at all, apart from a few models produced under a Conn sub-brand, largely because it requires a specially designed mouthpiece. All the more reason, then, not to miss the opportunity to hear one in action here.
The harp, appearing on several tracks, adds another layer of period charm to the proceedings. Chad Smith invites us on a genuine sonic journey back to the 1920s, with a sprinkling of New Orleans, ragtime, hot jazz in full speakeasy mode and the soundtracks of silent films. Everything is wrapped in exceptionally polished arrangements that do more than simply recreate an era: they encourage both reverie and dancing. Stride piano also makes its presence felt on several tracks. Come to think of it, Robert Redford and The Sting are not so very far away…
A discovery for some, a fond reminiscence for others, but whatever your relationship with the jazz world, one thing is certain: with Chad Smith, you can sing and dance at the same time.
Lline Up:
Chad Smith – saxophones, including C-Melody Sax
Dalton Ridenhour – piano
Lynette Wardle – harp
Mikaela Bennett – vocals
Sinfonia Orchestra of London, conducted by John Wilson
Saxophobia was released on Chandos Records on July 3, 2026.
©Photos all rights reserved
RECENT COMMENTS