Based on the numbers, Sax School members love ska sax.
The Ska Tunes course (in the Entertainer Pathway in Sax School PRO) is one of the most popular and you’ll find more than a few ska-related comments in the discussion sections.
Ska sax inspiration
Many ska-loving Sax School members say it was the late, great Lionel Martin – better known as Saxa – who inspired them to pick up the horn. Playing with The Beat (The English Beat in the US) on Two Tone hits like “Ranking Full Stop”, “Save it For Later” and “Ackee 1 2 3,” Saxa’s laidback approach made every song a classic.
Introducing Matt Morrish
Today it’s Matt Morrish who’s playing tenor sax for Dave Wakeling’s English Beat, bringing his personal style and passion to stages around the world. And it all began with the recorder. “I started on the recorder in third grade. A buddy of mine was playing saxophone, I though that he was cool, so I thought the saxophone was cool. I also have two older brothers who were super influential and great music collectors, so I was always listening to what they were playing.”
Matt’s early inspirations include Lenny Pickett’s solo on Tower of Power’s “Knock Yourself Out (live in Sacramento)”, Michael Brecker’s solo on “Candy” and, by wonderful coincidence, Saxa’s solo on “Mirror in the Bathroom.”
Playing Saxa’s signature tunes on tour, Matt knows that fans will want to hear the songs the way they remember them, but that still gives him room to be himself. “It’s expected and I’m happy to do it, but I also have to find ways to keep myself – and the band – stimulated, to take the audience on a little trip. I’m an improviser and it’s set up so it’s a lot more open for somebody to solo than it ever was back in the day. Plus, the band – they hear me every night! I want to do something that’s different somehow.”
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Practice on the road
Being on the road a lot (30 shows in the UK earlier this summer, 19 US shows in August and September and more dates to be announced soon) makes daily practice a challenge. “I have an EWI (electric wind instrument) that I take with me on the road. It’s not the same, but the EWI helps me keep my mind and fingers going. It can be really hard to find a place to practice. I’ll also try to get into the venue as early as I can to warm up, sometimes I’ll find a place outside to make noise. It’s a bit of a mix-and-match.”
And what does he practice? “Long tones, tunes and ideas in all keys. Today I was practicing by the side of the road, just outside of a tunnel. Yeah, it’s tough on the road, but I find time for it every day.”
New Projects
Matt’s also found time for a new music project and album, one that comes with a bit of a surprise. “I play synthesizer, some drums, I do some vocals – but no saxophone! It’s hard to describe the sound. Definitely not ska. Maybe rock, some funk, some alternative … I’ll prefer people to hear it and decide for themselves.”
Matt draws on a wide variety of inspirations from musicians in all genres. “There’s an artist named Leon Thomas whose music feels like mine, but more evolved. I aspire to be that kind of artist.”
On tour with Dave Wakeling’s English Beat, Matt often gets to share the stage with other great bands. The other night it was 80s New Wave band Wang Chung, who surprised Matt with a request for him to join them on stage for the sax solo in their biggest hit, “Dance Hall Days.” It was a song Matt knew but had never played. “We ran through it just a bit during the sound check, and that was it. High wire!”
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Matt’s Ska sax tips
Ska may sound like simple, good-time music, but paying attention to the detail will make your performance awesome.
- Nailing the syncopated rhythms of the 2-4 beat is harder than it looks
- If you’re playing in a ska band, pay attention to the keyboard player – you’ll be in unison rhythmically a lot of the time
- Rehearse with each instrument individually – you have to know where your part lays in the mix.
If upbeats come easy, take on a Roland Alphonso, Fred Reiter or GAMOU solo, or try to capture the joy that Dean Fraser and Megumi Mesaku bring to the stage. Or join Matt on The Beat hit “Hands Off She’s Mine.” And of course, check out Sax School’s own Dean Hilson in the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.
Playing in a ska band is harder than it looks. And, as Matt can attest, just as much fun. Check out the Sax Tunes section in the Entertainment Pathway to start your ska journey.
Matt was talking to Charles Benoit.