Stanley Turrentine Sugar by Tenor Sax Player Greg Vail

[bartibv]

Great sound....just great piece of music ;)

[loonpolice1]

F A T D I O B M F

[alotoaltosaxes]

@ TheSaxGuyVic64 At 1.09, Greg pushes back a floor monitor that a bit too close.

[custardapple777]

Greg, you're a cat. I'm learning jazz piano and I can learn a lot from your phrasing. What is your personal secret for improv ?

[ambouousoks]

@custardapple777 If you listen to him he uses a lot of chordal tones. Start with arpeggios and arpeggiate the changes in every way you can imagine. Start there. Im sure he does more than that but that's what I know and it works good for me.

[custardapple777]

@ambouousoks Thanks, you're right. It all sounds consonant, cool and smooth. Not too much dissonance.

It's surprising the huge amount you can do with just arpeggios.

[ambouousoks]

@custardapple777 From one musician to another. Glad I could help!

[Sax121Man]

dude you are so amazing. i love you

[FrankSax77]

Awesome Man! Thanks. Your solo is brilliant, and you didn't waste a chorus playing "Sunny" like I always seem to do. The fast lines are intense and artistic, and d*mn that tenor sound you get! (a little chorus on that maybe?)

"Rock on" Heavy G.

[JUSfr34k]

beautiful sound

[96kasper]

By far the best Sugar on youtube.

[smusicm]

You need to find a drummer that doesn't cover you up.

[MrMagnificent321]

He is in total control when he goes up to those altissimo notes it sounds pure

[drtz4890]

I went back and forth then decided - this is the most beautiful sax timbre in general and the most beautiful instrumental version of Sugar in particular.

[Musique247]

aaaaaah, this mess is so freakin SMOOTH.

i love tenor. that's some BEAUTIFUL tenor. now that's sexy music.

[uncletbone]

I don't think even Turrentine's re-issue of Sugar sounds better then this one. Way to go guys; and Greg and Bubba are right on.

[007grog3]

What kind of reeds do you use? I've been so upset with Vandoren ZZ's lately... I can't seem to get 2 good working ones out of a box... the rest are either doa, or improperly cut...

[falseaddress010]

switch 2 plasticover =D

[007grog3]

ughh... no... I've tried them, they're horrible... no altissimo

[falseaddress010]

altissimo is more about your own control of your throat than your mouthpiece/reed/horn. Reeds won't drastically make you not able to produce altissimo. Try Rico Jazz Selects.

The reason why I use plasticovers is they are durable and stiff. Altissimo works for me and it got more clearer compared to Vandoren ZZ

[juliusconner]

I love hereing music like this in the morning at a starbucs coffee shop. Smelling the fresh coffee and hereing this music is a very good morning. Any way i love your music

[untyboy]

gets better in a champagne and cigar bar!

[BigSax1984]

Most excellent!

[TheSaxGuyVic64]

Greg at 1.09 in the video you started your solo and hit something on the floor with your feet, what was that? I have seen others do that.

[gvSAXBOY]

I have no idea Vic! I don't use any pedals on traditional jazz gigs. I would guess it was the sax player dance step that crept in again from old age??

[nsimjazz]

Greg pushed the monitor over with his foot, like some of us Sax players do sometimes, either to hear better or give us a little more room to do our "Steps." Anyway, great solo Greg! I'm a Stanley freak myself. Check out "Goodbye Mr T" on I-tunes.

What I dig about your playing on this song is that you are adding your own approach to the style of Stanley, extending the concept. I dig the level of emotional integrity which you are playing with.

Very cool!

Nat Simpkins

[TheSaxGuyVic64]

Hey Greg are you giging at Steamers anytime soon? Any dates anywhere in Orange County?

[gvSAXBOY]

OC has been a hard sell for jazz as of late. The only steady gig right now is without a band and that sucks. Track gig is paying the off season bills. Coto de Caza - Gentiles Thurs / Fri is about it for public gigs. Hope next year moves into more shows again....

[TheSaxGuyVic64]

Greg I'm a big fan and have been since I heard you play Eurpoa back at the New Port Beach Marriott hotel back in the late 80's. On this video about 1:50 you go into a series of notes, is that concered bebop? I have been trying to learn that and keep watching the video over and over to get the notes down. I have to say Greg you have been one of my inspriations for many years. I play now in a couple of restaurants and having the time of my life.

[gvSAXBOY]

Thanks for the nice comments Vic! I guess it might be considered BeBop since it is faster and a little more complex in harmony. I'm not sure what else one might call it other than fast stuff or harder... There is some chromaticism that one can use to make things sound a little more 'out'. Overall, it is just listening and using great ideas from other sax players, making them your own where you can. Thanks again! Glad you found the clip and appreciate the note!

gvSAXBOY

[ModernSaxDotCom]

Love the tune......Love your command of the tenor.....I'll just go hide and put my horn away now....lol

[gvSAXBOY]

Hey Modern Sax, seeing more of you online these days - good job bro! Cant believe I missed a cool URL! I have lots...

Thanks for posting, listening and the very kind comments!

gvSAXBOY

[ModernSaxDotCom]

Thanks!

After hearing Eric M. smooth jazz version, and Eric Alexander's classic jazz version, among others - yours has the best groove.

would love to hear the whole tune here, because you have a great back up!

I will have to post this tune sometime myself!(just moved and settling in)

Later. GREG

[gvSAXBOY]

Confession - -It is not my version. It is a jam band and I just took a solo on this track. Wish I could claim some thing more in the ownership of these amazing players or gig, but it was a big, unrehearsed jam show.

gvSAXBOY

[yurimassax]

I am a fan,Greg.!What paterns would you recomend me to improvise like this?

[gvSAXBOY]

Covered this in another post response - but the key is lots of listening and copying the stuff you like. You are on your way just hitting videos here since there is soooo much great stuff to work with!

gvSAXBOY

[Chardy17]

Great sound

[gvSAXBOY]

Thanks again Chardy!

[Jamesends]

wow the sound is HD + crispy Brilliants, you're a real talent, just keep playing, I could sit here all day and listen to you

[gvSAXBOY]

Thanks James! Sound is so important and I'm so glad you like the sax sound! It is not a studio recording, just a live club gig, but it makes me feel very good that tone is your comment!!

Thank You thank you.....

[MDsaxguy103]

i love your sound...keep up the good work...beautiful stuff

[gvSAXBOY]

Thanks saxguy! Hey if I'm Saxboy, are we related in some way?? HAHA

Do appreciate you posting bro.

Thanks!

gvSAXBOY

[gvSAXBOY]

Thanks LA! Blessings, gvSAXBOY

[dryapples]

Really nice Greg : )

Always great to hear you

also Bubba, Robbie and Davey

Sounded really smooth Too, so SWEET like 'Suger' or a Red Delious one hehe

LA