[BlueLight]

I was just wondering, do you guys like Dale Underwood's sound? I have heard nobody that sounds like Dale Underwood, his sound seems one of a kind. I mean, I don't mind his sound (I love listening to him play), but it is something I would not strive to achieve.

I truly enjoy his musicianship though he's a great player no doubt, I just want to know what you all think.

 

[J.Max]

I put him in the same class with guys like Paul Brodie - good musicians, but what they've done for the saxophone may be more important. In this case, he has had a lot of stuff written for him over the course of his years of service in the Navy band and also organizing the Navy Saxophone Symposium. The Smith Fantasia was written for him, as were several other band and saxophone concertos.

 

[Angel]

And he's one of the nicest guys.

Angel

 

[J.Max]

And he's one of the nicest guys.

Angel

He is a super nice guy. I met him once years ago...I mentioned that I had known Claude T. Smith a little bit through my high school band director and we talked about the Fantasia - he really proceeded to walk me through the piece and gave me a bunch of tips, especially on the altissimo portions.

 

[mkemp]

I've only heard him play on a youtube video of Scaramouche....and sadly the comments on it were reduced to trashtalking and useless banter. Some college student was really taking potshots at him. I didn't know the Smith Fantasia was written for him though, its a great piece! Thank god we have people like him who inspire composers to write for the sax.

 

[srcsax]

Dale is a great musician and person. I have had the pleasure of hearing him live and had a few lessons with him. Great guy. And he IS a player. Perhaps not of the Indiana School or Paris or Michigan but more of his own American thing. One thing i find amazing is how soft he can play in the altissimo and sound like a perfectly intune flute. Great chops.

 

[Rick]

I love his sound. It's pure saxophone with lot's of beautiful colors and overtones. Many people try to mask these natural tendencies of the instrument. Does anyone know who he studied with?

 

[Reedsplinter]

I've only heard him play on a youtube video of Scaramouche....and sadly the comments on it were reduced to trashtalking and useless banter. Some college student was really taking potshots at him. I didn't know the Smith Fantasia was written for him though, its a great piece! Thank god we have people like him who inspire composers to write for the sax.

These Youtube videos featuring him are also very poorly recorded, alas. You can hear that he has great chops, but the timbre is destroyed by quality of the video, and the piano is drowning him out.

 

[BlueLight]

I love his sound. It's pure saxophone with lot's of beautiful colors and overtones. Many people try to mask these natural tendencies of the instrument. Does anyone know who he studied with?

I don't have a name but the Navy Band Website says...

Born in Cortland, New York, in 1948, MUCM Underwood began his saxophone studies at the age of nine. He received his early musical training at Ithaca College in New York and further pursued studies in saxophone at Texas Tech University.

So whoever was the professor at Ithaca back in the 60's and whoever the professor at Texas Tech was in the 60's;o

 

[Rackety Sax]

,,,So whoever was the professor at Ithaca back in the 60's ...

I think that was a bloke named Sinta if I'm not mistaken.

 

[thejoyofsax]

Yes, it was Don Sinta.

Another great piece written for Dale that is almost NEVER played is called "Song and Dance" and is by Urban F. Carvalho. Unaware if it is still available in print, but there is a great recording of Dale playing it on one of his CDs.

Pieces dedicated to him are also written by Elliot Del Borgo, Clare Grundman, Jay Chattaway, and Sammy Nestico.

 

[dpuckett]

Dale is an incredible musician. I am one of his students. He can play the crap out of the horn. He's a nice guy on top of all that and a great teacher.

He is also one of the best sight readers I have ever come in contact with.

I have nothing but great things to say about Dale!

 

[mellowmeyer]

There's a piano version of Song and Dance, at least:

http://www.musicroom.com/se/ID_No/0285179/details.html

I too am a fan of Dale Underwood. Not only does he play altissimo like it was built into the horn, he also plays it mellow as can be.

I tried to order Soliloquy and Song and Dance AGES ago from a place called Onondaga Music here in New York (state, that is ). I placed the order, and they said they'd have to special order it...so I was like "Ok, go ahead and do that...that's fine." I actually forgot I had ordered it after quite a while because I never got it...so about a year later, I remembered...was pretty P-O'd...and called them back--"Yeah about a year ago, I placed an order...kinda wondering how long it takes to deliver...etc..." So about another half year went by with no avail...and I got a letter in the mail from them saying that they were going out of business...and were unable to fulfill my order... grr..anyway enough ranting.

But yeah, anyone know if the band arrangements of some of his stuff are available?

 

[srcsax]

I tried to order Soliloquy and Song and Dance AGES ago

But yeah, anyone know if the band arrangements of some of his stuff are available?

Dale has been having many works, such as the Del Borgo type set in Finale. They are way behind in getting it done. I would suspect that is because of his new buisness dealing with Brazilian music.

there is much out there waiting! Just waiting for us! Oh well.......some day....

 

[mellowmeyer]

Hmph. I've got Finale... Give me a month of free time and a set of good headphones... :glasses7: and then expect errors hehe.

 

[BlueLight]

Hmph. I've got Finale... Give me a month of free time and a set of good headphones... :glasses7: and then expect errors hehe.

You'd probably want to just hire a jazz player to do it for you ;o (i.e. if you arent one ;o)

 

[mellowmeyer]

It's not that I don't play jazz, or don't understand the effort put into learning solos, etc... by ear and all, but I am better at classical. I can transcribe a solo, of course...and I've managed to carefully do a couple piano pieces (not too difficult mind you) with few mistakes...but an entire orchestra...daunts me

 

[Demolisher]

Youtube videos of dale underwood are dissapointing, I wonder how far you can go to say its the video quality.

 

[ejennings]

I was at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago last December. While strolling through the exhibits, I passed by a small booth for Brazilian Music Publications and did a double-take. It was Dale Underwood working the booth. Apparently this is a side family business. I don't know him, but recognized his face and stopped to talk with him for a few minutes. Seemed like a nice guy.

 

[mellowmeyer]

Youtube videos of dale underwood are dissapointing, I wonder how far you can go to say its the video quality.

:silent: Or audio quality. Got me curious, so I hopped over to YouTube and listened...tried looking away even and just listened. I came to the conclusion that it was a combination. I believe this is not his best recording...and also that the process of recording was atrocious. Sounds like that's some high school auditorium and you hear a ringy piano over everything, and all the sounds are in a nice mud of a mess...and apparently this was recorded with someone's personal video device...who knows what sort of mic is on it.

That's all I can think of really. I like Dale Underwood, still do, but I can't disagree with you...those videos are...disappointing. :?