[Dixielandjazz] Unusual Sax Man

[Artwoo at AOL.COM]

Hi: I worked with a well-connected Sicilian sax man who did not want  to be 
covered-up when he took a chorus, or the lead.
 
Unfortunately, the leader-accordion player in this band was hard of hearing  
and always had his amp turned up to 12 on a scale of 10. He wanted to be the  
dominant player without exception.
 
So, if my sax playing band mate wanted to be heard, one of his  favorite 
tricks other than burying his bell in the mike, was to turn in the  direction of 
the accordion player, whose accordion was internally miked. 
 
Then my pal would blow at max strength right over the accordion's  bellow 
mike and subsequently drown out the accordion. It was a battle to behold  and 
truly pi..ed off the leader-accordion player. It was funny to see them both  
trying to outplay each other. They were both very talented and respected  each 
other in spite of this clash.
 
One never crossed my un-named pal. He carried "heat" and was never  afraid to 
tell someone what he truly thought. 
 
In truth, this fellow was a great musician and taught me a lot about  Italian 
music in terms of phrasing, intensity and approach. I worked with him  for 
about 15 yrs in an Italian band in San Francisco. And, if need be, I can  
out-blow any accordion.
 
Ciao,
AW