26 Jun 2025 12:00
Saxophonist Andy Sheppard; Pushing Sonic Boundaries, Ep. 247
In Episode 247 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down with internationally renowned saxophonist, composer, and ECM recording artist Andy Sheppard.
Here’s a guided timestamp to check out the highlights of the episode — perfect if you want to jump straight to the parts that resonate most with you.
- 00:00 - Leaving art school and started learning saxophone at 19
- 04:09 - When Andy realized his true passion
- 05:11 - Needing to be ready for a lesson
- 16:36 - People he met along the way that helped his playing
- 21:12 - Taking a helicopter view on life to make important life decisions
- 27:48 - How Andy got the gig playing with Carla Bley
- 30:02 - Learning the guitar
- 31:17 - Top tip for airline travel with your saxophone
- 33:58 - How ‘Autograph Sax’ started
- 40:42 - Me or the horn?
- 44:29 - What his practice routine looks like
- 47:24 - The beautiful thing about playing the saxophone
- 51:38 - Where he got his classical technique
- 55:24 - Recording his own music
- 59:43 - Being hired to play for George Russell
- 01:04:25 - George Russell & Living Time Orchestra - The African Game 1989
- 01:13:43 - Why creating music and enjoying the process is much more important to him
- 01:17:07 - How he survived during the pandemic
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