George Garzone on Playing Jazz Saxophone

Staying Sharp at 75

At nearly 75 years old, George Garzone is still lighting up stages with an enormous sound, blazing technique, and fearless creativity. I caught up with him in Copenhagen after a couple of sets at Jazz Cup, and his playing had the energy of someone decades younger. The secret, it turns out, isn’t just about practicing scales or staying in shape—it’s about balance.

Since he was 28, George has practiced Zen meditation and movement daily, even in hotel rooms while on the road. What started as a curiosity became a lifelong routine that transformed his energy and clarity on the bandstand. “The difference in my playing when I do it and when I don’t is night and day,” he told me. It’s kept him focused and in tune not just musically, but mentally.

Teaching the Next Generation

George has been a professor at Berklee College of Music for decades, mentoring generations of saxophonists who now define the modern jazz scene—Mark Turner, Seamus Blake, Melissa Aldana, Donny McCaslin, and many others. But his approach to teaching is anything but conventional.

“My job is to help students teach themselves,” he says. Instead of strict methods, George emphasizes self-discovery and balance. He credits his own teacher, the legendary Joe Viola, with modeling that style. “Joe taught without teaching. Just sitting next to him, you learned something.”

That respect for student individuality comes through in how George connects with young players. “They know who’s real and who isn’t. Word spreads fast. But when they trust you, they grow fast.”

It’s Always About Sound

What really sets George apart is his obsession with sound. “People may not know what you’re playing, but if it sounds good, they’ll feel it.” His tone is big, raw, and instantly recognizable. Even fellow saxophonists sometimes don’t realize it’s him when they hear recordings—until that unmistakable sound comes through.

He’s played JodyJazz mouthpieces for decades and helped push for larger designs that fit his needs. “Right now I’m on an 11. I’m even trying to get him to make a 12,” he laughs. “These mouthpieces let me do what I want to do.”

George is still evolving, still experimenting, still chasing new ideas. “I’m figuring out what I don’t want to do musically now,” he told me. “And that helps me figure out what really matters.”

If you ever get a chance to hear George Garzone live—don’t miss it. He’s not just a legendary saxophonist. He’s a living example of what it means to keep growing, creating, and sounding better with time.

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