Bob Reynolds: The Problem with Learning Jazz Online

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I just got back from the NAMM show where the BetterSax booth was slammed with great saxophonists nonstop for three days.

We had an incredible time and the honor of welcoming a giant in the saxophone world, Bob Reynolds, who sat down with me for a live interview. We talked about his upcoming Eddie Harris inspired album, his work with Snarky Puppy, and the critical ingredient we need a lot more of in music education now more than ever.

Please enjoy my conversation with Bob Reynolds.

A New Album Inspired by Eddie Harris

Bob announced that the first single from his new album would be released soon, with the full album titled Eddie Told Me So coming out February 13th. The album is a direct tribute to one of his favorite saxophonists, Eddie Harris.

The concept behind the record is an acoustic quartet with bass, drums, electric guitar, and saxophone. Bob took specific grooves from Eddie Harris recordings and transplanted them onto different songs. Some are originals, but a large portion of the album consists of jazz standards, approached through the lens of Eddie Harris inspired grooves.

He explained that each track has a story behind it and that the record is meant to swing hard while staying deeply rooted in groove. The album features standards like Just Friends, You Don’t Know What Love Is, and lesser played gems like Changed Partners, all reimagined through this concept.

Bob described first discovering Eddie Harris near the end of his time at Berklee College of Music. At the Monterey Jazz Festival, he heard a blindfold test where Joshua Redman identified a recording as either David Fathead Newman or Eddie Harris. That moment sparked Bob’s curiosity.

The track that made the biggest impression was Eddie Harris’s version of When a Man Loves a Woman. The groove, phrasing, and restraint in Eddie’s playing stood out immediately. Bob emphasized that Eddie’s use of groove, melodic clarity, and sophisticated harmony without excess made a lasting impact on his musical approach.

He encouraged listeners to check out Eddie Harris recordings like When a Man Loves a Woman, Cold Duck Time, Listen Here, and albums such as Swiss Movement, The Tender Storm, and The Electrifying Eddie Harris.

Groove, Phrasing, and Musical Restraint

Bob explained that Eddie Harris’s influence on him goes far beyond altissimo playing or harmonic ideas. What stood out most was Eddie’s phrasing, restraint, and ability to deliver sophisticated musical ideas without sacrificing groove.

He described Eddie as someone who could play deeply chromatic and harmonically rich lines while always keeping the feel front and center. Whether swinging or playing funkier grooves, the time feel was always the priority.

Bob shared that this philosophy guides his own playing. No matter how advanced the harmonic content is, if it does not feel good, it does not matter.

Snarky Puppy and Recording With an Audience

Bob then shifted the conversation to Snarky Puppy and their unique approach to recording. Rather than recording in front of an audience, the band records within an audience. The musicians and listeners share the same space, with the audience wearing headphones and hearing a high quality live mix.

For the latest Snarky Puppy album Somni, the band recorded multiple nights with a live audience, no overdubs, and no edits. The best performances were selected to create the album.

Bob explained that this approach preserves the energy that exists when musicians and listeners share a space. The audience becomes part of the music making process, shaping the performance in real time.

Bob described Snarky Puppy as music for the brain and the body. It is intellectually engaging without ever sacrificing groove or melody. While often categorized as jazz, Bob views the band more as an instrumental pop group created by jazz musicians.

Each member functions like a producer, asking what the music needs rather than how to show off. Strong melodies anchor the music, allowing improvisation to grow naturally from a shared understanding between band and audience.

This balance between structure and spontaneity creates performances where no one knows exactly what will happen next, which keeps the music alive and exciting.

Music Education, Community, and Playing Together

When discussing music education, Bob emphasized that while online resources and educational materials are valuable, they cannot replace learning within a real musical community.

He reflected on his own development, growing through interaction with peers, mentors, and local scenes. Being able to sit in on gigs, fail publicly, and learn from those experiences played a huge role in his growth.

Bob stressed that music cannot be learned in isolation. Playing with other people is essential. That shared experience, including mistakes and setbacks, is what builds musicianship.

He also pointed out that adults face unique challenges when learning music, especially ego and fear of failure. Despite this, he encouraged musicians of all levels to seek out opportunities to play with others and embrace the learning process.

Inside Outside Retreat

Bob shared details about the Inside Outside Retreat for saxophonists, a week long immersive camp for adult players held in the Tennessee woods at Victor Wooten’s place. The retreat focuses on connection, listening, and playing music together in a supportive environment.

The experience blends musical growth with time in nature and emphasizes community over performance. Bob described it as life changing for many participants and a powerful example of the kind of learning environment musicians need more of.

Final Thoughts

Throughout the conversation, Bob returned again and again to the importance of groove, feel, and human connection. Sophisticated ideas only matter if they serve the music and the people experiencing it.

In a world filled with endless information and distraction, his message was clear. We need more opportunities to play music together, learn from one another, and stay connected to why we started making music in the first place.