Saul Fromkin gone

[Tim Price]

Guys, look Roberto told me Saul Fromkin passed a few weeks ago.

There has been no obit on line I can find nor- any word.

This guy deserves the worlds attention he worked on horns of guys like Prez, King Curtis and Trane, and his rep as a person does as well.

Have any of you guys in Flordia seen anything on Sauls passing? Please post it.

He was one of the great repair guys and Robertos mentor.

ANYTHING YOU CAN FIND WILL HELP...tia.

[saxtek]

I'm in Florida and I didn't hear of Saul's passing until days after he was gone. I met him at a NAPBIRT clinic, and within 5 minutes, I learned some techniques that I have used ever since. The last time I spoke with him was over 2 years ago.

More than anyone else, I think Saul Fromkin's great reputation was based on hard work, experience, and a constant attempt to do the best job possible.

[milomo]

I bought my first 6 from him in '85, Lovano sent me to him. He was little crusty (in the way someone would be if they'd worked on the horn of pretty much every great saxophonist who lived in or passed through NY), but he was a really nice guy and a great repairman.

[Leon]

I used to go to his shop in Sarasota, Florida after he moved from NYC. I'd drive three hours just to have him tweak my horn and hang out. Usually brought him a sugar free pie. He had so many stories about all the great players and numerous books of photos. I used to encourage him to write a book, and I wish he had. While hanging in his shop, soccer moms would come in and buy one or two clarinet reeds. They had no idea who he was, or who the musicians were in the photographs that lined his shop wall. He was always kind and helpful with them though. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

[bongop57]

So sorry to hear about Saul passing. I started hanging around Saul's shop when I was a teenager, when he was still on 8th Ave. Over the years I spent countless hours listening to Saul tell great stories about "the good old days". A master craftsman and amazing human being. It was a privilege know Saul. And what an artist he was!

[Horned Toad]

Yes I had heard about this. He was a really nice guy. I never had the chance to meet him in person, but in the old days (before the internet) when I used to call people looking for horns and mouthpieces, he was one of the guys I called. Every time I spoke with him he was just wonderful; gracious, helpful and generous. He always gave away some stories and may have even turned me on to a horn or a mouthpiece, I cannot remember. I just remember really enjoying speaking with him. He was just really happy to be chatting with some unknown young musician and furthering the cause it seemed. He never in the least seemed bothered or out to make a buck, just a beautifully cool guy. I wish I'd had the chance to have a horn done by him. R.I.P.

[rico royale]

Saul was a great man who deserves a place of honor among the royalty in the sax repair biz - and a credit to his race - the human race! I still get the urge to call him to find out how to... well, you know. So long, Saul!

[Adam Niewood]

My father Gerry (RIP) always gave Saul the highest praise. I believe he purchased most of the horns he used for his entire NYC career, from Saul. Peter Ponzol worked at that shop -- a lot of guys went to Saul Fromkin's...

I never met the man - but somehow I feel very saddened by this news... Seems like we're loosing everybody.

A friend told me a little after my father passed (when there was really nothing anyone could say) "Well Adam... None of us are getting out of here alive!" It did make me laugh! It's true - we all eventually are going to die. Somehow this fact doesn't do the folks left behind on earth mourning for our loved ones much good.

My condolences to anyone who is effected by the passing of Saul Fromkin. He was (from all that I've heard about him) a righteous hard working human being, and his presence will be missed.

Sincerely,

Adam Niewood

[tinpalaceroach]

My sincerest condolences to the Fromkin family and to Saul may your passage be an easy one. I had business with Saul in his shop on 48th st NYC 3rd floor walk up shop in the sky plenty from 78 to 84 with my first French Selmer, a 27,000 series balance action alto. Saul was the guy who made this piece of brass work like no one else and my repair techs were first Charlie Ponte and then Rod Baltimore and between all three of them they had repairs Jazz or otherwise locked up with quality, history, wise guy talk, bad coffee,jokes. even if you bought diddly from them it was always first an experience and then a pleasure because you walked away better somehow. i also dug Dr.Rick on Carmine st in the Village but that is another story. thank you Saul for everything and the memories.

[sonicraftsman]

I worked with Saul the last year and a half he worked before being forces to retire from American Music.
One day he walks into the shop
handed me a piece of paper and said "sign this". It was a contract selling me all his tools and supplies for $1.00!
He wanted to make sure they did not go to
Music and Arts whom had purchased American Music via Guitar Centers.
He had little good to say about the current state of the music
industry and modern saxophone manufactures.
He did however relate a lot of information to me about the Selmer Co. back in the day and how the horns were built. He had extensive knowledge of how to set up Selmer saxes and clarinets to make them play their best.
He was very gracious about sharing his saxophone repair secrets and knowledge.
I was very lucky to have been in that situation, it was just the two of us back in the shop we spent many hours talking about our work, music, life.
I heard all the stories about the old days and the players in the jazz scene
in New York City. It was great!!

Saul was a very kind and gentle person he touched many hearts.
Anyone who ever met him could tell in moments he was a Master of his trade.

One story I can relate here.
Charlie Parker came up into his shop, it was late just as Saul was leaving.
So they go back inside Parker tells him he is going on tour in a few days and ask Saul to look his horn over.
Bird has a brown paper bag with him as well. After Saul makes some adjustments to his horn Parker plays the horn and is pleased.
He tells Saul he has no money but would leave the contents in the bag as collateral towards the work he did to the horn and promised to pay him when he came in from the road.
So Parker left the brown paper bag. Later after Parker had gone Saul looked in the bag and inside was a pair of old black shoes shined to the best polish possible for their age, he turned the shoes over they had holes worn in the soles.
Saul told me it brought tears to his eyes.

It was a privilege knowing and working with Saul he was a true Master

Regards, Mark Vandermark
LSU School of Music