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SOTM SOTM January 2026: Our Love Is Here to Stay

Great 'up tempo' recording, @GCinCT! Wonderfully precise 'jazz timing' throughout. And great improvs too. A joy to listen too

Mike
 
This is embarrassing, but I don't remember how one plays along and records with the backing track provided. Am I able to move it over to Audacity, or would I need to sign on to Box?
 
Any idea which voice(s) he’s actually playing here? It’s my idea of ideal tone, at the top especially.

It sounds like the Bb soprano throughout, so would be Kirk's Manzello which was his unique modified soprano. Apparently that was a modification of the King Saxello (tipped bell soprano) - the changes included a larger upturned bell.

The Manzello is the one in Kirk's right hand in the picture on the album cover. In the middle and being held by his left hand is his "Stritch" (straight alto). Beyond that is his (conventional) tenor sax.

Rhys
 
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Thank you for taking the time to record and post! First of all, the fact that you did is to be commended. That takes guts. For a beginner, it's very good. Your timing is solid, and you have a nice feel for the melody and the spirit of the tune. You used plenty of space in your improv and played some nice lines.

You kept it simple and stayed close to the melody and did what you are capable of. That takes discipline, and many beginners try to imitate their heroes and fly before they can walk. That was me as a beginner, so I salute your maturity and control.

Again, thank you. I truly enjoyed your recording. Keep up the good work!
 
Well, here it is. It was the most complex effort for me so far. Had some issues with my little finger slipping off of D# but still enjoyed making the recording at 110 bpm. Not much in the way of improvisation, although I tried to put some feeling and expression into the final result. I'll attempt to do better with my next shot at a SOTM.
48+ years of marriage and my wife's continuing recovery from seizures and healing of her fractured vertebrae was my inspiration to keep trying.
It's less than perfect, so I know there are many others here that can far exceed this one.
Thanks so much, GC!!

Here to Stay | Music by John M | Listen on audio.com
 
Well, here it is. It was the most complex effort for me so far. Had some issues with my little finger slipping off of D# but still enjoyed making the recording at 110 bpm. Not much in the way of improvisation, although I tried to put some feeling and expression into the final result. I'll attempt to do better with my next shot at a SOTM.
48+ years of marriage and my wife's continuing recovery from seizures and healing of her fractured vertebrae was my inspiration to keep trying.
It's less than perfect, so I know there are many others here that can far exceed this one.
Thanks so much, GC!!

Here to Stay | Music by John M | Listen on audio.com
Thank you for taking the time to record it. I like the tempo you chose a lot, and you definitely put emotion into it. I'm sorry to hear about your wife. I hope she has a fast recovery. It's great that she inspires you after all this time.

I've had that little finger D# issue myself! It's kind of a big interval there. Nevertheless, nice job, John. Members like you who contribute are the lifeblood of SOTM, and I appreciate and enjoy all these recordings.
 
Found back on old (2013) recording from our Big Band playing this song during a gig in a very cold and old train Station in the beautiful historical Dutch city Delft. I play a (short) tenor solo just after 1:25:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m3VBJp4fZo

Sound quality is not the best; the old Station hall has a kind of over the top Church reverb!
 
Found back on old (2013) recording from our Big Band playing this song during a gig in a very cold and old train Station in the beautiful historical Dutch town Delft. I play a (short) tenor solo just after 1:25:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m3VBJp4fZo

Sound quality is not the best; the old Station hall has a kind of over the top Church reverb!
Thank you for that, @mrpeebee! Your band did the tune justice with the vocal and the swinging rendition. Your solo was brief but beautiful and really suited the tune and the band's style. I enjoyed that very much and listened to it several times!
 
Mrpeebee, that was great! It was fun not only hearing the tune but seeing you in action, as well.
This SOTM choice seems to be extremely versatile and adaptable to all sorts of interpretations. I guess that is what geniuses like the Gershwins set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd.
 
Just before Christmas I joined up with three other saxophonists to form a new quartet. I'm on baritone and today we ran a new piece in rehearsal for the first time - Love Is Here To Stay, arranged by Bill Holcombe (always a sign of a nice chart).

Here is a recording of our second run through: Love Is Here To Stay (HaverSax Quartet Jan 2026).mp3 | Powered by Box

I made it on my Zoom H2e which was on a little tripod in the middle of a circle of saxophones. Someone seems to have been tapping their foot quite loudly !

Rhys
 
Just before Christmas I joined up with three other saxophonists to form a new quartet. I'm on baritone and today we ran a new piece in rehearsal for the first time - Love Is Here To Stay, arranged by Bill Holcombe (always a sign of a nice chart).

Here is a recording of our second run through: Love Is Here To Stay (HaverSax Quartet Jan 2026).mp3 | Powered by Box

I made it on my Zoom H2e which was on a little tripod in the middle of a circle of saxophones. Someone seems to have been tapping their foot quite loudly !

Rhys
Rhys, that was absolutely beautiful!! Thank you very much for sharing. I love a good saxophone quartet, and you did this tune proud!
 

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