Marsalis masterclass: jazz great impressed with Hongkongers’ saxophone skills
Ahead of his Hong Kong debut, Branford Marsalis coaches some young city musicians. His biggest tip for them: ‘People react to sound. Sound can create emotion. Technique is just execution’
Branford Marsalis is best known as a jazz musician, but about 10 years ago the saxophonist began focusing more on classical music, which he says has made him a better musician, and that’s what he’ll be playing this week when he makes his Hong Kong debut with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong.
Ahead of that concert the New Orleans artist spent Sunday afternoon helping 40 budding saxophonists with a masterclass held in a rehearsal room at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Chiang Man-ching was the first up to play for Marsalis. The 24-year-old magazine editor began playing the sax 10 years ago because he keen to join the high school band and would play any instrument to get in. The teacher suggested the saxophone and at first Chiang found it difficult to learn, but he persevered.
Watch: 'Sound can create emotion': jazz master Branford Marsalis teaches Hong Kong students a lesson
“It’s a very special instrument because it’s different from an oboe, which is more a traditional instrument. The saxophone has a unique sound that is ideal for romantic and 20th century pieces,” he explains before the master class.