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Baron Raymonde

by Skip Spratt

Baron Raymonde (pronounced Raymonday) has been busy performing and recording R&B saxophone in the New York City area for over a decade. In that time, he has compiled an impressive list of credits which includes his most recent 42-city tour of the USA and Canada with Rod Stewart. As a featured instrumentalist with Rod, Baron played no less than six instruments.

Known primarily as a rock and R&B guy, Baron has toured and performed with Matt "Guitar" Murphy of Blues Brothers fame, The Blues Brothers Band, The G.E. Smith Band, The Hiram Bullock Band, Sister Sledge, Buster Poindexter and Taylor Dayne. He has also backed classic rock artists including Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, The Temptations and Four Tops, as well as The Coasters and The Drifters. Hes quick to mention that hes not just a "rock guy" but is a better-rounded saxophonist who has performed with Manhattan Transfer and toured with Artie Shaw Orchestra under the direction of Dick Johnson. In his own words, "I know how to play rock".

Baron's presence can be felt on the World Wide Web these days with his new site SaxBaron.com. Hes got links to his tour dates and performances. An especially nice link to his "smooth jazz" CD on Mp3.com. He has five cuts uploaded which are all funky but "smooth" only at times. Its not your typical fare from smooth jazz radio. His sound is bright, sometimes aggressive and very passionate. What really draws you to his music are that he doesnt waste a single note on top of the great grooves provided by George Witty. Not once did he play a flurry of notes and runs as some popular soloists like Kenny G or guitarist Eddie Van Halen might. Every note counts. His influences are obvious but hes got his own twist on a familiar sound.

 Ed Calle

by Skip Spratt

Ed Calle has virtually flawless technique, outstanding control and a bottomless bag of tricks in the studio. To call Ed Calle "a saxophone player" would be one-dimensional. He is an accomplished composer, arranger, flutist, clarinetist and midi wind player as well. Ed and I spoke one evening when the conversation twisted and turned in countless directions for almost two hours. The topics of discussion included the music business, recording industry, traveling and touring and, of course, the saxophone. His passions include mathematics, the resurgence of Latin music in America and his family. He has a great sense of pride when it comes to his playing, the Miami recording scene and his contribution to it – and for good reason.

Over the past two and a half decades, Ed Calle has played on literally thousands of recordings. He has written, arranged and played on recordings in every conceiveable style and setting within the studios of Miami and South Florida. Latin-American recording artists Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Julio Iglesias, Arturo Sandoval and Ricky Martin have all showcased Calle's talents on recent CDs – but that's only a start. Ed's playing is rooted in the commercial jazz and pop tradition of Michael Brecker and David Sanborn. However, this Venezuela-born saxophonist displays a mix of influences that span the globe. He is a proud American, but his playing often reflects his Latin heritage. His impressive recording credits include dates for a broad band of artists such as David Byrne, George Clinton, Elton John & Tim Rice, Eddie Money, Frank Sinatra, Vanessa Williams and Placido Domingo.

Any young player would be wise to study the path Ed has taken over the past 25 years or so. Few commercial saxophonists can boast so many feathers in one cap, particularly from a city such as Miami. When one thinks of the recording industry, usually Los Angeles, New York and Nashville come to mind. The truth of the matter is that Miami has recently earned a much deserved spot as the fourth largest recording market in the United States.