Courtney Love recently said in a YouTube video that there’s no place for saxophone in rock music, to which professional saxophonist and vocalist Mindi Abair responded:
“Saxophone was as integral an instrument as guitar in the early days of rock ’n’ roll,” she said. “As a saxophone player I’ve toured with Aerosmith, Duran Duran, Max Weinberg, and recorded with Gregg Allman, The Ides of March, Joe Perry, Max Weinberg, Waddy Wachtel, Booker T. Jones, Adam Sandler, Paul Shaffer and the Late Night Band, and even played a night with Bruce Springsteen. Rock ’n’ roll has been very good to me.”
To prove her point, Abair went on to compile a righteous Spotify Playlist list of iconic rock songs that wouldn’t be the same without the saxophone, which you can listen to here.
Wild Heart, Abair’s May 27 release on Heads Up/Concord records, includes guest performances by – and songwriting collaborations with – Gregg Allman, Joe Perry, Booker T. Jones, Keb’ Mo’, Trombone Shorty, Max Weinberg, Waddy Wachtel and others. For more information, visit her website here.
