In Episode 247 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down with internationally renowned saxophonist, composer, and ECM recording artist Andy Sheppard.

Here’s a guided timestamp to check out the highlights of the episode — perfect if you want to jump straight to the parts that resonate most with you.

• 00:00 - Leaving art school and started learning saxophone at 19
• 04:09 - When Andy realized his true passion
• 05:11 - Needing to be ready for a lesson
• 16:36 - People he met along the way that helped his playing
• 21:12 - Taking a helicopter view on life to make important life decisions
• 27:48 - How Andy got the gig playing with Carla Bley
• 30:02 - Learning the guitar
• 31:17 - Top tip for airline travel with your saxophone
• 33:58 - How ‘Autograph Sax’ started
• 40:42 - Me or the horn?
• 44:29 - What his practice routine looks like
• 47:24 - The beautiful thing about playing the saxophone
• 51:38 - Where he got his classical technique
• 55:24 - Recording his own music
• 59:43 - Being hired to play for George Russell
• 01:04:25 - George Russell & Living Time Orchestra - The African Game 1989
• 01:13:43 - Why creating music and enjoying the process is much more important to him
• 01:17:07 - How he survived during the pandemic

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