10 Minute Jazz Lesson: Max Ionata Destroys ‘But Not For Me’

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I’m willing to bet that most of you have never heard of the fantastic Italian Saxophonist, Max Ionata. Well we’re here to fix that this week and bring you an amazing 16 bar section of his solo on George Gershwin’s ‘But Not For Me.’ Max has an incredible ability to play the jazz language in a very clear way that is perfect for us to learn from. We normally don’t bring you such a long excerpt from a solo but this week, we felt like we had to. Max puts together such a nice phrase here that we are going to want to look at it in one swoop. Enjoy the episode and remember, the full transcription can be found on our Patreon site exclusively for our supporters!

[@rogersalles200]

Nick I have been listening and transcribing Max solos exclusively, he is my fav and I agree how easy his solos are to the ears compared to others, so melodic and his phrasings are top notch

[@demonslayed8895]

That’s actually the first tune I heard him play on KZbin. I WAS HOOKED! He does such a great job at telling a story in that solo.

[@timmo491]

Ive been playing tenor for 40 years. Max is a revelation compared to all the Brecker wannabees and a breath of fresh air. Amazing horn player. All the best from England!

[@nomonkeymind]

Max Ionata is one of my favorite sax players, and had the pleasure to meet him and hearing him live :)

[@tracebrentley8029]

pro tip : watch movies on flixzone. I've been using it for watching lots of of movies these days.

[@eriktoby483]

@Trace Brentley Definitely, I've been using flixzone} for months myself :D

[@tituselias2945]

@Trace Brentley yup, I have been watching on Flixzone} for since november myself :D

[@cyrusnoe6709]

@Trace Brentley yup, been using flixzone} for since december myself :D

[@staffe-marketing1395]

Grande Max Ionata!!! 🇮🇹

[@lukeserrano62]

Nice lesson!

[@jowcolsax]

Great Nick. Thank you, Max is a giant!

[@smoochjazz4033]

Just love the way Max Ionata plays this song.

[@dillpickle1960]

good stuff you are a natural teacher

[@lucamarchionisax]

Yeah! great jazz players in the States know him very well (Clarence Penn, Reuben Rogers, Jerry Bergonzi, Lenny White, Alvin Queen, Billy Hart, some of musicians that played with him)

[@cerimccoy]

Nice Sound!

[@OscarCherici]

Max Ionata the resilience god

[@FedericoMissio]

Man, your tone si very beautiful!

[@nickmainella]

Thanks man!

[@SebSquonks]

Man, great, but it's pronouced Max Yonata, not I-onata

[@nickmainella]

haha....oooops. My bad!

[@giovanpaoloi.9253]

Great job on a really great solo by great Italian sax player , just a small note: as an Italian I can't hear the name Ionata pronounced as you do, sorry...the right way is to pronounce the "Io" as an "yo" in english, like in "your". All the best

[@lottierose8668]

does that big screw on the neck tennon make any difference

[@thesaxophonereview4318]

Honestly, I'm not sure. Someone gave it to me and I just use it. It feels like it might make a small difference but it could be placebo you know?

[@alexambroise111]

@@thesaxophonereview4318 Are you still using it, a year later? My take is that they do change the sound, but so little that only the player hears the change.

[@ulysax1979]

Man your solo is actually cooler than Ionata’s!!! 👌🏽