Blog Post

An illustration of Nessie Sturm and Patrick Shiroishi with a mess of wires and keyes behind them respectively. The Saxafone is an instrument that augments a saxophone, transforming it into a touch interface. With the help of custom hard and software, the saxafone generates synthesized sax sounds which a performer manipulates exclusively by touching the instrument. I designed it as a way to reclaim the sax, which had been my first and main instrument until health issues gradually caused me to abandon it. The ache of losing one of my methods for communicating musically was further amplified by my experiences with the experimental saxophonist community in Los Angeles. Specifically, the numerous saxophone ensemble performances I both attended and organized while there. While I was no longer able to participate in the traditional way, I set out to harness my proficiency with technology to devise a new saxophone that wouldn’t require the use of my lungs.

Release

“The Invention of the Saxophone” was released on June 6, 2022 on Surface World and marked my return to saxophone ensemble work with the assistance of the Saxafone. This album also features saxophonist Patrick Shiroishi, whose talent inspired the ache that led me to making this instrument, and whose support was hugely important as I worked on it.

The album was initially released with an art book that served as part schematic, part score, part explanation. It has since sold out, so I’ve included the book below for all to view. Enjoy!

Press

Review on Avant Music News

Review of the album from The Wire’s June Issue.

Review on Avant Music News

Album Release Teasers

In preparation for the release of The Invention of the Saxophone, I made two animated teaser trailers using material I created for the art book. Watch here: