Every Opportunity I Had Came From Jam Sessions – Tivon Pennicott

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Every opportunity I’ve gotten has been through jam sessions. That’s a powerful statement from the incredible saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, who has worked with legends like Ari Hoenig, Esperanza Spalding, and Gregory Porter. When we met up at the NAMM show, we had an amazing conversation that left me inspired, and I’m sure it will do the same for you.

The Art of Sound Exploration

At NAMM, Tivon picked up a BetterSax Classic Tenor saxophone, attached his mouthpiece, and immediately started exploring the instrument. He described his approach as trying to find the center of the tone, starting with long notes and allowing his ears to guide him. He believes that if you rush into playing fast, you don’t truly understand the instrument. This philosophy extends to his improvisation—listening, patience, and allowing the notes in his head to materialize.

A beautiful moment at NAMM happened when a young musician named Francesca invited Tivon to jam. Without hesitation, he joined her and created a magical musical dialogue. He believes every musician deserves their space, and when someone invites him into theirs, he honors that invitation by listening and responding.

Musical Roots and Inspirations

Tivon grew up in Georgia in a Jamaican household with a strong Christian influence. His exposure to music came from hymns, reggae, and ska, but a middle school band director first introduced him to jazz. Hearing Joshua Redman’s Hide and Seek was a revelation—he couldn’t believe a saxophone could sound like that. From there, he dove into the works of Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, and Charlie Parker, building a foundation in jazz that shaped his career.

He recalls the days of visiting bookstores, picking up jazz CDs based on their covers, and submerging himself in those albums. Unlike today, when music is available everywhere, he believes there was something special about carefully selecting a record and listening to it for a long time.

A Rough Start in New York and the Path to Success

After high school, Tivon pursued music seriously, eventually studying at the University of Miami. When Tivon first moved to New York, his saxophone was lost or stolen. The money he had saved for his move ended up going toward a new horn, leaving him without a down payment for an apartment. With no connections and no place to live, he ended up living in his car for four months.

Despite these challenges, he spent his nights at jam sessions until 4:00 AM, then went back to his car to sleep. Looking back, he admits he never really thought about how dangerous or outlandish it was—he was simply in it. His passion for music outweighed any hardship. 

The city’s jam sessions became his gateway to opportunities. His breakthrough came through jam sessions at Smalls, where bassist Spencer Murphy introduced him to Ari Hoenig. Playing late-night sessions at Smalls led to invitations to private sessions with Hoenig, which helped shape his career. 

Touring, Recording, and Expanding Sound

In 2023, Tivon embarked on his debut tour as a bandleader, performing across Europe and the U.S. His latest album, The Roots To Branches, was released in 2024 and continues to build on his signature sound—blending jazz with deep emotional storytelling. But he isn’t stopping there.

Tivon also recorded an orchestral album with a 26-piece string ensemble. Now, he’s pushing boundaries further by composing a symphony incorporating his signature electronic pedal effects alongside strings, creating a fusion of groove-oriented, world-influenced music. Deeply rooted in his Jamaican heritage, the symphony will explore reggae, ska, and other Caribbean rhythms, all while featuring special guest artists.

Tivon’s journey is a testament to dedication and the power of community. His story is a reminder that challenges cannot influence true passion. Make sure to view the entire interview at the previous link to listen to our discussion of these topics and much more.

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