Blank Page Syndrome
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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4M ago
Sydney Sheldon's poignant quote, "A blank piece of paper is God's way of showing you how hard it is to be God," deeply resonates with me as a writer and an improvisor. Allow me to elaborate on the meaning this quote holds for me. As I see it, a blank page serves as a metaphor for writer's block—a creative artist's ultimate nemesis. While the process of refinement can transform subpar writing or composing into something worthwhile, a blank page offers no such potential. Its emptiness stands as a daunting challenge. Or as I think of it: creative ground zero.   Let's delve into the reasons ..read more
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Hi Everyone, Just a quick note that my new CD wit...
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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5M ago
Hi Everyone, Just a quick note that my new CD with pianist Jean-Michel Pilc is now available for PREORDER. Please CLICK HERE. The official release date is Friday, November 3, 2023. And there is a special listening party on Wednesday, November 1 at 7:00 PM. Please RSVP.  Lastly, be on the lookout for our review in the January issue of DownBeat. Talk soon ..read more
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Embracing Authentic Confidence, Beyond the Illusion of Perfection
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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7M ago
My struggles with confidence has been a constant companion throughout my life's journey, with and without my horn. I certainly have my good days and bad days, as we all do. Interestingly, my feelings towards those who effortlessly radiate interpersonal confidence have been a mix of admiration and annoyance. Though I admire their unbridled swagger, I’m more annoyed that I don’t always have that within me. But delving into the intricacies of my off-the-bandstand insecurities isn't the focus here; rather, I aim to delve into the realm of music, although the two often intertwine, which is a bl ..read more
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Forgiveness: A Path to Liberation
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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7M ago
In more recent days, I’ve been thinking a lot about forgiveness, a word that holds within it the power to transform our lives and reshape our perspectives. Often seen as a mere act of letting go, forgiveness possesses the power not only to release others' transgressions but also to serve as a powerful vessel toward self-empowerment.   Many of our internal struggles stem from our perceptions of wrongdoings committed by others. We often find ourselves entrapped in a web of resentment, anger, and hurt as a result of these perceived transgressions. However, forgiveness offers a unique ..read more
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Embracing the Second Life: A Musical Journey of Transformation
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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8M ago
 "We have two lives. The second starts when you realize you only have one." This timeless saying by Confucius has been the backdrop to the most transformative journey of my life, a journey that began with a seemingly simple, yet very difficult decision—to give up the tenor sax and embrace the soprano saxophone as my new musical voice.   Before my rebirth musically, if you will, I was a tenor saxophonist cruising along a path that, though had its share of frustration, felt familiar. My career was steady, my skills were honed, and yet, there was a lingering sense of unexplored terri ..read more
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Sam Newsome/Dave Liebman Duo
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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8M ago
The following performance is from the 2023 WOW Summer Music Festival, presented at IBeam in Brooklyn. You might say it's our delayed record release, celebrating the launch of Soprano-Logues, our duo recording on Bandcamp, June 1, 2023.   As you can imagine, the entire fifty-plus minute performance was all improvised. Which is not necessarily equated with being hard to follow, or lacking a linear structure. It's anything but. That's one of the things I love about playing duo with Dave--musicality is always front and center. Even when I attempt to venture off into that non-musical grey area ..read more
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New Duo Recording Featuring Sam Newsome & Dave Liebman
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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10M ago
On Saturday, August 7, 2021, Steve Toubin, director of Fire Museum Presents, sent me an email asking if I’d be interested in submitting a video recording of a solo performance somewhere between twenty-five and thirty minutes, in commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of Fire Museum Presents. This was during the COVID-19 pandemic, so live performances were rare, if at all. I immediately thought this would be a great opportunity to work with Dave again. Thankfully, both Steve and Dave agreed.  Initially, we set out to only record Soprano-Logue: Part 1. However, there was obviously a lot ..read more
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Why Tim "Bone" Williams Mattered
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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10M ago
  The jazz world recently lost one of its most influential and ardent students of the music. Which is ironic because many have never heard of him. Unless, of course, you had the good fortune of crossing his path.   Tim Williams, affectionately known by his peers as “Bone,” was a St. Louis, Missouri, trombonist. Williams was a part of that wave of Berklee students who moved to New York in the 1980s and rattled the cage of the status quo. Dwayne "Cook" Broadnax, Greg Osby, Donald Harrison, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, Bruce “Bud” Revels, Terri Lynn Carrington, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and the pe ..read more
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Why Wayne Shorter Mattered
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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1y ago
It goes without saying that an institution of musical thought and creative generosity has left the planet. But, on a positive note, also left behind is a body of work that will serve as a source of musical study, musical inspiration and enjoyment. Maybe until the end of mankind. Before Wayne came along, a lot of jazz evolved around musical callisthenics. Virtuosity at the highest level, peppered with interludes of heartfelt blues and infectious swing—particularly amongst saxophonists. Not to misconstrue what I'm saying in terms of virtuosity. Wayne had plenty in the bank.  Here's how W ..read more
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Book review: Be Inspired, Stay Focused
Sam Newsome's Blogsite | Soprano Sax Talk
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2y ago
Check out this wonderful book review by Donna Schwartz. Please check out Donna's amazing podcast Everything Saxophone.   ..read more
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