Sax Appeal - 99% Invisible Recap
Podcast: 99% Invisible
Published: 2025-12-16
Duration: 44 min
Guests: Dr. Stephen Cottrell, Dr. Paul Cohen, Lakecia Benjamin, Darius Jones
Summary
The episode chronicles the invention of the saxophone by Adolphe Sax and its transformative impact on music, from military bands to jazz and beyond.
What Happened
Adolphe Sax, born in 1814 in Dinon, Belgium, is credited with creating one of the most innovative musical inventions of the 19th century: the saxophone. His early life was fraught with accidents, yet he survived to learn instrument making from his father, eventually moving to Paris to establish his own workshop. Sax's ambition led him to improve existing brass instruments and create entirely new ones, including the saxhorn and saxotromba, but his most famous creation was the saxophone, a hybrid of brass and woodwind that he patented in 1846.
To prove the saxophone's worth, Sax targeted the French military band market. In 1845, he orchestrated a 'battle of the bands' where his innovations competed against traditional bands. His instruments' superior sound and volume secured him a military contract, although his later years were marred by lawsuits, bankruptcy, and the loss of his instrument collection.
Despite Sax's personal misfortunes, the saxophone found new life in America where it became a staple in jazz and popular music. During the early 20th century, America experienced a saxophone craze, which led to a proliferation of novelty saxophones and a cultural shift towards home music making.
The saxophone's versatility made it central to the evolution of jazz, especially during the 1930s, when it became a key instrument in big bands and later bebop. Artists like Charlie Parker took the instrument to new heights, showcasing its potential for both smooth melodies and complex, rapid-fire solos.
However, the saxophone's association with jazz also led to its vilification by authoritarian regimes. The Nazis and Soviet Union viewed jazz and the saxophone as symbols of cultural degeneration, leading to bans and persecution of musicians.
In the latter half of the 20th century, the saxophone's rebellious image softened as it permeated various genres, from pop to hip-hop. Despite this mainstream acceptance, the episode argues that the saxophone's true brilliance lies in its ability to embody both loud and soft, bold and smooth sounds, making it a unique and enduring instrument.
Key Insights
- The saxophone was patented in 1846 by Adolphe Sax, who aimed to create a hybrid instrument combining the qualities of both brass and woodwind instruments.
- In 1845, Adolphe Sax secured a military contract for his instruments by organizing a 'battle of the bands' where his saxophones outperformed traditional military bands in sound and volume.
- During the early 20th century, the United States experienced a saxophone craze, leading to a surge in novelty saxophones and a cultural shift towards music-making at home.
- Authoritarian regimes like the Nazis and the Soviet Union banned the saxophone due to its association with jazz, which they viewed as a symbol of cultural degeneration.