Today, we celebrate Adolphe Sax‘s birthday and National Saxophone Day!
Born on November 6, 1894, in Dinant, Belgium, Sax would go on to patent the saxophone in 1846. But not without incredible trials and tribulations along the way. He suffered break-ins, burglaries, and an attempted bombing assassination on his way to developing the sax.
Its launch was no less challenging with the horn described as “hollow and wrong – they are noisy and blaring.”
But composers and musicians took note and the instrument began its incredible journey. Today, Adolphe would not begin to fathom the musical and cultural impact of his invention, were he able to see and hear it.
Thank you, Mr. Sax, for delivering this musical gift to humanity.
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