The top beach music bands all have incredible horn players. Today we are recognizing the Saxophonists in Beach Music. I know this will be a long list of great players. To date only 3 different people have won a CBMA that play the Saxophone. Many have been nominated. Butch Barnes won the award twice in 2003 and 2004. Marty Ojeda ( who was with the Rickey Godfrey Band at the time) also won the award in 2005. Glen Tippett, who is a master of many instruments including the Saxophone, has won Instrumentalist of the year twice in 2008 and 2015. Of course, there are a lot of players that should be recognized, so today we will building this list with your help. Listen to the Edge Radio Show and think about the Saxophonists featured in beach music songs. Add your favorite players to the comments below or facebook posts so that we can start building the list of Great Saxophone Players in Beach Music.
Tuesday Edition of The Edge Radio Show plays 9 to 12
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Top Saxophone Players in Beach Music
Who should be on the list?
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To say Glen Tippett is a “perfectionist” is an understatement. After nearly a decade and a half of traveling the entire southeast, I must admit he is not only a musician’s musician but he’s the greatest musician to embrace the coastline stage (not just saxophone but especially saxophone). Style, class and grace… Plus he’s a butthole when others mess up. He makes us all step up to the plate with our “A game”. Don’t wanna get that dirty look on stage from GT. I am honored to share the stage with him every show. All hail to the “G”!
Glen is the best!
I would like to add Garth Haas with Steve Owens & Summertime to the list. Garth does a killer job on the sax and he’s a pretty good vocalist also. He is definitely one of my favorites!
Thanks Raymond! Garth does deserve to be on the list for sure!
Thanks Bo! This is a fine list!
Thanks Raymond! I am always honored to play and sing with Steve Owens and Summertime! What a fantastic group of musicians to be teamed up with. And then to perform for the best fans makes it so much fun! I appreciate being recognized and on a list of fantastic sax players! Thanks!
Mike Griffin of the Monzas
One of the best there ever was, and maybe the best ever.
I’ll have to agree with Don that Mike Griffin was definitely one of the very best. I’ll also add Frank Roundtree with the Caravelles to the list.
List of Great Saxophone Players in Beach Music
Based on responses we have received in fb posts, pm’s, emails and text
Butch Barnes
Glen Tippett
Ken Knox
Craig Woolard
Mark Black
Don Colton
Daniel Morris
Garth Haas
Bobby Cox
Kenny Anderson
Bob Michealski
Leroy Harper Jr
Michael Maffeo
Jonathan Link
Previously with Beach Music Bands
Marty Ojeda
Steven Thorne
Mike Griffin
Daniel Morris is not only a great Sax player but with his exceptional stage presence he makes you feel good even when he is not playing. GREAT ENTERTAINER
Would like to mention my mentor, Nat Speir. Still quite active and playing great sax since around 1957. He’s played with everyone down through the years but most notable with the original and (later ) reformed Rivieras.
I was fortunate to be in the band from around 1982-1986 playing second sax to Nat.
In 1984 (I think) I substituted for Nat at the first Beach Music Awards. Done at the convention center. Nat won an award for his arranging of Brook Benton’s Christmas album (his last album).
Bob Michealski of the Sensational Epics is one fantastic sax player. He has solo CDs and does solo appearances on TV and elsewhere. He is one of the great ones!!!! He plays Tenor, Alto and baritone sax with the band. His solos are great!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob has a reserved friendly personality and he gets along great with everyone in the band!!!! He’s the kind bandmate we all want!
Thanks Gene!
Funky Leroy Harper Jr of The Mark Roberts Band is sax royalty! He toured for 14 years with the Godfather of Soul himself, Mr. James Brown. He still tours all over the world with the remaining members of The James Brown Band. His feel for the music on sax is incredible and he is a joy to listen to! Everyone should hear him play “Europa” – pure magic!
Totally Agree! Awesome to have him playing the beach music circuit!
Daniel Morris with Band Of Oz has to be on this list !
One of the first ones to come in – He Most definitely belongs on the list of Great Sax Players in Beach Music
Jason Barker of Lakeside Drive Band is a good player!
Daniel Morris of the Band of Oz is awesome.
Craig Woolard with the Embers is phenomenal.
Junior Walker of the All Stars, Grand Daddy of Saxophone players. That man could make a Saxophone talk to you…..with His “What Does it Take”.
Don’t forget about Bob Chambers from The Entertainers. One of those “quiet” players who compliments the band so well. Great player and a fine vocalist!
I agree totally- Bob Chambers should definitely be on the list. There’s a noticeable difference when he’s not on the front line completing what in my opinion is the best horn section in beach music; definitely my favorite horn section. He brings not only the sax but great vocals, keyboard and pizazz to the band!
Mooresville hometown boy, Bobby Craig in North Tower, Craig Woolard, of course, the Man Ken Knox, of the Chairman and KCO and the late great Jr. Walker
Barry Duke of The Catalinas. Great sax player, great singer, great guy!
Johnathan Link, BigTime’s “saxman” is totally awesome. Great tones and a perfectionist for sure. He’s BigTime’s “new guy” but fit right in very quickly with the family atmosphere that BigTime is known for.
Although new to the Beach Music scene, BigTime’s Jonathan Link is as good as they come. We’ve had many great sax players since 2003, but Jonathan is probably the best we’ve experienced. At only 32 years old, he blows like an old timer and doesn’t mind jumping out in the crowd to do his thing while playing. He is such an asset to BigTime, that it’s hard to imagine playing with out him.
Please add John Miranda from Second Nature. He’s been with us since 1990, and plays tenor, alto and soprano sax, flute, and also sings. He is definitely one of the best.