A Saxophone Lesson with Master George Coleman

#bettersax #saxophone #georgecoleman
Jay Metcalf sits down with saxophone master George Coleman for a chat about the saxophone and making music, also joined by Eric Alexander.
Both George Colman and Eric Alexander are playing the BetterSax Burnin' mouthpieces on alto: geni.us/Burnin
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[@MichaIsraelKovler]

OK Jay, now you've got to bring on Rollins!

[@SemajMusiq]

“My chops aren’t how they used to be” something only the greats say, then proceed to play something mind blowing😂 You can see how happy he was to tell his stories. To be 86, still playing, and have a sense of humor is amazing.

[@ishaq24722]

George Coleman, a very underrated player. One of the best. I recall a story from Miles' autobiography when Tony Willimas didn't like George not playing more modern stuff. Then George played it and blew everybody away, proving HE CAN PLAY ANYTHING!

[@javierm_uk1588]

From someone rather new to the saxophone and who wasn't aware of George Coleman, this interview oozes authenticity and feels like watching a piece of music history. Thanks Jay!

[@anthonywright5193]

When I was over from UK visiting the university in Raleigh in 1985 I was lucky to catch GC playing with a local rhythm section. This was in a club that closed shortly after and unfortunately there were probably only 20 to 30 people in there. But he played two great sets and then implored us all to ‘keep supporting jazz’. There were a few musicians in the line but I got to speak to him afterwards and he was extremely kind and supportive towards my own efforts on tenor. When i told him I would soon be back in UK listening to another of my favourite tenors, Don Weller, in our local club, he said he knew Don and to please say hello to him, which I did. I suddenly felt a part of the great global fellowship of jazz musicians!

[@ronjaemusic7777]

Thank you for bring George to us.

[@nickpilgrim1966]

This is so inspiring. I've dabbled for 40 years with saxophone. If George is playing like this at 86 then I still have some hope! Wonderful video man.

[@johnasti7429]

I was fortunate to study with George for a minute. He is a kind man, generous with this information. Great man, Great musician.....

[@petegalindez9961]

Are you kidding me??? Unbelievable…so great to come across human beings like that…that’s a memory for a lifetime…nice job Jay! Geat job working in the Burnin’ mouthpiece promo!! LOL….

[@playsjazz2]

Jay, you have proven yourself as a true lover of the saxophone. As a student of the instrument, I thank you for this beautiful video 📹...! This is probably the best one that you have done...!

[@LeslieDaCostaJr]

Back in the day in New York, George was a legend to us, up and coming horn players. He was playing tenor sax in those days (1970-80s). He played in Harlem and Greenwich Village a lot.

[@Webethumpin]

That was awesome. Thanks Jay!! I hate I laid my horn down for so long. Now I’m 50 and picking it back up. This was a great inspiration! Practicing every day.

[@lushlife4]

That was spectacular! It was wonderful to see and hear, what I consider and I'm sure you do as well, a national treasure. Thank you to Mr. Coleman, Mr. Metcalf, and Mr. Alexander for making this happen.

[@tonywarren2267]

I heard George many years ago at the Bulls Head and at Ronnies. At the Bulls Head it was a snowy night and his taxi broke down on Hammersmith bridge . He arrived nearly an hour late and the crowd were almost slow handicapping . He came in looking angry and assembled his sax and just walked to the microphone while Tony Lee was playing and just said " all the things' . He then went on to play " All the things you are " which he played straight , then took it apart Rhythmically then Harmonically , then improvised at break neck speed . By the end of his extended solo he had the audience eating out of his hand , clapping and cheering . The evening continued in the same way ; a triumph of jazz and improvisation . An Amazing player and a master of sax. Unforgettable and never seen the like of it .

[@joshjablonski5183]

I’m still so new to the world of the 🎷 so there are a lot of names I have yet to learn. George Coleman was one of those names. Just played Autumn in New York on Spotify and omg what a fantastic sound.

[@Lamo2100]

This is great! I pray to be as sharp as Mr. Coleman at his age.

[@sitarnut]

It's barely possible to thank you enough for sharing this George Coleman nectar..When George mentioned flat fives it made me remember Eddie Condon's famous line, "Boppers flat their fifths, we drink ours".

[@sheskimusic]

Ok, this right here is gold. Thank you for this. Thank you!! About 15 years ago, George gave me a worksheet of Giant Steps lines he wrote out. Big George. A brilliant powerhouse.

[@emilmakin1401]

That was Fantastic. What a man at 86 that can lay it down. Thanks, totally enjoyed it. One of the all time greats and a super nice guy too.

[@bobblues1158]

Beautiful Jay! Because George has been so generous to so many, including myself, He really should be known by all of your subscribers.

[@dr.p.andthewomen4851]

Great idea of you to go and safeguard some of what Mr Coleman has to say. Once I am his age, I hope I can exude that vibe, too. We aren't wealthy when we live in a big house or drive a big car. We are wealthy when we figured all the things out, which we had to figure out in our particular life and he seems to have done that.

[@bettersax]

Yes!

[@frankzona5459]

George is a national treasure. George's work on Ahmad Jamal's Olympia 2000 album is spectacular. But then anything George does is spectacular. I need to dig out his work with BB King and the other Blues greats. Thanks so much Jay for this very important interview.

[@AndalusianIrish]

Love Ahmad Jamal. I am a jazz piano nut, especially Red Garland and Bill Evans.

[@marcusblack4445]

Great interview…thank you George and Jay…Love George’s 1978 album ‘Amsterdam after dark’…

[@benhostetler268]

I agree he is very underrated. What a joy to sit down and learn.

[@nicksinderson3302]

I've been listening to and loving Amsterdam After Dark for 40 years and counting. Love you Mr. Coleman!!!

[@thewarhenk]

Pisoni pads- they don’t stick- ever. Mr. Coleman is one of my very favorite players. What a beautiful man. Sharp as a tack. Good for you Jay! ‘Amsterdam After Dark,’ favorite album.

[@qlw15138]

WoW! Just fantastic! One of the greatest tenor players of all time. A true jazz master, indeed. Thank you for recording and posting this golden interview!

[@ParlaAmericanoWithBob]

Wow what a treat! A legend for sure.🎼🎹

[@TheScotto111]

I spent a week getting George play at East 85th in Toronto some 25 or so years ago. It was amazing. I was there so often he eventually came over and we hung out for a bit. An incredibly formidable tenor play with the kindest soul around.

[@Sam-hf8nq]

Very touching tribute. The first time I heard Maiden Voyage as a young tenor player it just left me in awe. The raw beauty of his gorgeous tone and soaring lines. Under-sung legend for sure!

[@jodylackey8364]

I was fortunate to set next to Mr Coleman at a Sanborn show at the Blue Note in NY. I wish I had the ability to share how great that encounter was. A very Nice Man!!

[@dodojack1045]

Just wonderful Jay. Thanks so much.

[@antiqueandroid]

Historic interview🔥

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

George at 87 is majestic, talented, humble, unselfish; a humanist is George. David Sanborn, then a great Blues player a la Hank Crawford and David Newman, desiring to get a stranglehold on Organic (Real) Jazz, took a few lessons from George Coleman. Today, Sanborn is enjoying best of both musical worlds. Excellent 👍 interview with well-appreciated instructions from the great but enormously underrated Jazzician of our era. Great Public Service 👍 as always, champ. If you can, get a hold of Benny Goldson. What of a few underexposed lions in the mix? David Sanchez Don Baden (sp) Don Faulk Antonio Roney (sp) Ricky Ford Don Freeman Mike Smith... Thanks, champ.

[@johnkremastos5713]

George coleman an unbelievable player

[@benanderson8374]

Maiden Voyage was the first album that started me on my jazz journey and my love of saxophone about 23 years ago. Both the album and the title track I played over and over again! It also got me to love Herbie. Simultaneously, I was introduced to sax by a friend who also started me with Aebersold books...and the first one he pulled out was Maiden Voyage Volume 54! Immediately I was hooked! This interview brought me back, love it!

[@billhoffman115]

Thank you for this kind of content. Spreading the message of jazz from the living masters is so important to the the younger generation(s). This is literally a bridge to the past! I love it.

[@bettersax]

🙏🏻

[@samuelanderson9853]

Excellent video jay,to actually meet one of jazz legged.

[@roderickberry2508]

I met Mr Colman at Morgan’s , a club in Philly in the 70’s. I was in awe and told him I loved his playing he asked if I played and I said yes. He asked me if I wanted to study with him . I froze …….. As Anthony Newly sang, “What kind of fool am I “

[@LeslieDaCostaJr]

I saw George play back in the eighties. He was always friendly. At that time, he used to workout in the gym to keep his fingers strong. When I heard him play, I was impressed with the veins popping out of his arms and fingers, strong and powerful!

[@Advocates4SpecialNeeds]

Preserving history Thanks for doing this Beautiful

[@quintinfranklin9168]

Very nice! The master George Coleman!! One late night at Bradley's he walked back home to get his horn & blew the hell out of his horn upon returning! Man oh mam!

[@RafikCezanneTV]

A great interview! I started playing tenor 30 years ago. Went to the Village Gate to see an all star tribute fund raiser for Clifford Jordan (who was battling cancer). I did not know who George Coleman was but after that night I sure did. A major giant. Thank you for posting this master class gem!

[@DavidBaronStevensPersonal]

Master George Coleman is so underrated among sax legends. Thank you for this interview! It's so cool to hear his Memphis experiences and even how it forced him to play tenor and simplify his harmonies. I've had a similar path over the last decade, even in many of the same places he described. Every jazz musician needs to study the blues, not merely the form but the even more so th artists, the groove, the melodies, the stories.

[@ISLEaxe]

Seen George Coleman with his Octet back in 1980 at NY Grant's tomb.I was in total Awe of the stuff he was playing on tenor.I remembered mostly of his powerful sound and presence. Made a strong impression on me as a young jazz musician.

[@nealtubbs9608]

Thanks for sharing the talent of George with us. Excellent!

[@vendome6846]

A master musician with a sound and style like no other.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

What an AMAZING Historical interview, hey Jay I happen to be a lot down in Manhattan in particular that area, would be amazing just to see him just walking about. Thanks for this GREAT video. He is 86 and still swinging…..AMAZING.

[@DirkJ.]

I can only hope to be blessed playing at 86! Wonderful interview! Wish there was more

[@MediumCheeseCurd]

Absolute legend. I love that he's still holding on and for some reason I love hearing him say shit 😂

[@BobbyBsax]

Loved this interview. My dad played alto when he was 86 and mom was on the Accordion. At any age they could sound as young as they were feeling.

[@marike1100]

Took a lesson with Big George back in the day, my buddy Alexander studied and plays with him all the time. A living legend, tenor titan. And I’m with George, I rarely blast the low notes the way many modern jazz players do, it’s 99% sub-tone for me. Sounds prettier.

[@xbdjdjcdbdnndbdndb1613]

By far dude. That’s what jazz sounds like to me. Smooth, laid back, and dark;)

[@kennethreed8746]

Sometimes you aren’t after the “prettiest” sound and you wanna change the effect of the note by changing the timbre

[@kennethreed8746]

@@xbdjdjcdbdnndbdndb1613 Don’t limit jazz to that when it’s much more

[@rolandmccabe]

Would that be Alexander McCabe by any chance?

[@chriscarlisle499]

I just got back into playing a saxophone after 30 years. Videos like this are truly priceless and inspiring. Thank you both for everything.

[@whatspadethinks]

I started on drums in 6th grade, playing snare drum, then picked up guitar at 16 and bass a few years later, working on keyboard the entire time and trying new instruments whenever I could. Being a cocky young punk whenever asked what I play I would start running off, "I play guitar, bass, drums, keyb... etc" I was fortunate to have some older cats mentoring me and they would shut that shit down and simply say, " So you're musician? " I try to gleen anything I can from the great players, no matter their instrument. Hearing George's thoughts on intervals and how he changed approaches to get different timbres out of his instruments was so cool. Excellent video.

[@The_Lincoln_Penny]

14:18 when you can talk without talking the sax out your mouth, “you’re really saying something “

[@justinjohansen5992]

Wow, Jay… just…. I’m speechless. Thank you for documenting this 🙏

[@famsandoval9890]

What a BEAUTIFUL man and Saxophonist! Thanks for this awesome interview!

[@BrianPerez]

Thank you for taking time to interview a living legend!

[@thebritandtheyank3821]

George Coleman IS Jazz Authenticity. From 40 years (& more) ago hearing George was always priceless, he took no prisoners while blazing new trails. This IS your best show Jay.

[@markward3730]

Hip to him when he was playing with miles. Good interview. Keep them coming.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Great video! What a legend...

[@00mandrew]

What a wonderful medium to be exposed to otherwise unavailable talents. Thank you for sharing!

[@davidbrogan432]

I am very grateful for this. 🙏🔥

[@TCNHC]

Thank you so much for making this video Jay and having Mr George Coleman sharing his wisdom with us. What a wonderful human being and a terrific master of the saxophone! 🎷

[@CarlosMatesanz]

He happens to be one of the first sax players I knew by name and learnt to recognize and I was lucky enough to listen to him live a few (like...22?) years ago.

[@Rockin_Bug]

THAT was outstanding to watch and listen to. Thanks so much Jay for treating us all with that great interview and the saxophone lesson! And thanks to George for opening up and letting us all hang out at his place.

[@bettersax]

Thanks

[@akitikallc6161]

A wonderful interview! Thanks to you and Eric for this gift!

[@AlejandrodeSouza]

A moving interview, specially to see GC happy with the mouthpiece you developed

[@lifesummit73]

Excellent interview, Jay. What a legend. Well done!

[@bettersax]

Thanks Brock

[@smoothvelvetsinger]

I got all lost in this, what a treat👍

[@stevetakkinkwan8910]

The more I listen, the more I like Blues and Jazz. Thanks.

[@shipsahoy1793]

No matter how many times I watch this video I love it. Thanks for bringin’ George to the house Jay..👨🏻🎷🥳

[@PabloVestory]

Amazing interview! thank you all so much!

[@marquinhosax]

WoW Jay, thank you for one more time gift us 🙏🏽

[@fg87fgd]

Thank you all and all the best to George!

[@timwallace7561]

What an absolute treat and bench mark to aspire to - humbled. Thank you Jay for such an amazing video.

[@GabrielSoto31]

I LOVE IT! So much to learn from them!

[@Adamswelltroddenpathways]

Miles Davis’s 2 albums: Seven Steps To Heaven and the live Four And More with Coleman are timeless

[@etiennewittich9652]

And my funny valentine ( same concert as four and more)

[@Adamswelltroddenpathways]

And In Europe and My Funny Valentine.

[@JK-js2td]

Those are incredible Miles albums but not as iconic as Kind Of Blue

[@PabloVestory]

@@JK-js2td So what? ;) That is so absolutely off topic here that is hilarious

[@JK-js2td]

@@PabloVestory you are off the topic, Pablo...but thanks for the comment! 🤏

[@masterllama321]

Thanks for the great video Jay, Coleman is a giant.

[@dneil8867]

I loved every moment….

[@jamilford3227]

George Coleman and my father Fred Ford grew up in Memphis together and were best of friends. They shared the stage on many occasions.

[@mainlysound]

This is such a great doc Jay! 💎

[@wschrad]

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this..Mr. Coleman still sounds great. Definitely one of the best of modern era

[@dividedwords]

Beautiful. Thanks for this.

[@Kirktracy]

Thanks for making this video, Jay. What an absolute Gem to hear A master such as George Colman. I’ll certainly be exploring his music further.

[@red2dead653]

This man probably has a memory with over 100 songs. I like the vibe he gives off. Real Old School

[@donnahumphrey5955]

Thank you Jay. Loved every moment..

[@johnchapin7707]

Word, word, DOUBLE word. Really great fun!

[@brianbillings6815]

Best saxophone video I've watched in a long time with two awesome guests. Valuable insights from Mr. Coleman. Eric is my favorite modern tenor player. His work with Harold Mabern and the sensitivity and purity of his playing is great. Thank you.

[@thesaxman]

Most enjoyable..it shows the joy and love we all need to connect and make music that is class…fab stuff give us more!

[@johnleclerc5711]

Simple and beautiful lines

[@stephencarter4037]

I saw George Forman several times at Left Bank Jazz society serval times One of my favorite artist !

[@skylanstephens4860]

Memphis love, I love it!

[@joegaudette2494]

Amazing Jay, just Amazing - absolutely loved it! Such a great guy and as you said, totally underrated in the masters hierarchy. Thanks so much for posting this!

[@31avas]

Beautiful. Thank you!

[@ericjohnson3733]

Thank YOU for interviewing one of my favorite tenor saxophone players!!! His album with Joey Defrancesco was awesome. I’m a huge fan of Eric Alexander also. Thanks!

[@robertbarnes8991]

Jay, what a fantastic teacher of the sax you are. I'm still playing my tenor and alto and I am 66;67 in May. I was wondering how much better I would be had I been able to go to Berkeley school of music and practice seriously. My friends have said that I have natural talent, because I can pick up my horn after long periods of time and still get a good sound. I am retired and I am practiceing now and I'm so glad I have you on u tube sharing your experience and expertise and you are a great players and teacher and I am so glad to be able to get lessons from you. Thank you and thumbs up

[@gianlucawork]

What a precious document Jay!!!!

[@bettersax]

Thank you

[@sergiog.4093]

This was the best video of the year in all KZbin, at least for me. George is jazz history in his own right and Alexander is one of my modern favorite players and also a very funny guy. True cats in all the extension of the word.

[@DavidBaronStevensPersonal]

Thank you for sharing what you gain from the masters so we call can benefit from them while we still have them ❤️ 🎷

[@saxmanbill]

So much for keeping your fingers close to the keys at all time !!

[@OifelOifel]

What a dignified amazing guy! :) With his age he has been part of the greatest times of music. I love these old legends!