Paul Brodie, O.C.
"Alexander reeds have excellent response in all registers, brilliance of tone and great sustaining quality. They break in very quickly and seem to hold up well after several hours of playing.The quality of the cane and cuts are excellent for both "DC" and Classique". I just tried an alto reed in concert which was super and the sopranos work just as well! I highly recommend these reeds to saxophonists the world over. Two thumbs up!"

The achievements of this virtuosic, and warmhearted Canadian man are just awe inspiring. He truly is a LEGEND in his own time. To quote the renowned classical saxophonist, Ted Hegvik, "How does a man accomplish all this? In only one lifetime?"And just by playing the saxophone? "

Consider the following:
His education: Attended the University of Michigan won the audition to play in the Michigan Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. William D.Revelli. This was followed by studies with master teachers and saxophonists Larry Teal, Al Galladoro, and finally the illustrious French Master, Marcel Mule, who was considered by many to have been greatest classical saxophonist in the world at that time.

Concerts: Mr. Brodie then from 1960 went on to play over 3000 concerts with 34 orchestras in 17 countries, having the distinction of been the first concert saxophonist ever to play in India, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia, and the first to be invited by the People's Republic of China to teach, perform and record! This is part of the reason at least, that the name "Ambassador of the Saxophone", describes him best.

Recordings: With over 50 records to his name, he is considered to be the most recorded concert saxophonist in the history of the instrument.

Special Distinction: In 1994, Paul was appointed "Officer of the Order of Canada", Canada's highest civilian award (equivalent to being knighted in England).

Warren Beatty featured his saxophone playing on the soundtrack of his academy award winning film "Heaven Can Wait". He was also included on "Clyde Gilmour's Favourites", has appeared as a soloist with most of the leading orchestras in Canada and has often been featured on CBC AM/FM Radio and CBC, CTV and Global Television.

Teaching: Paul has performed and lectured at over an incredible 120 Music Schools, Conservatories, Colleges and Universities. On top of this, he founded his own "Brodie School of Music and Modern Dance" with his lovely wife of 40 years Rima , a talented and renowned dancer, teacher and internationally recognized Fibre Artist in her own right...

On top of this, he has had an amazing 57 composers write original works specifically for him.

Incidentally, I strongly recommend Mr. Brodie's new autobiography, Concert Saxophonist, "Ambassador of the Saxophone". This traces his beginnings as an eager student of the saxophone who later went on to fulfill his dream of becoming a world class saxophonist, spreading the message of the instrument around the globe in a way few other musicians of any instrument have done.

This is a great book, and I think a must for any student seriously considering to enter the field as a professional because Paul "tells is like it is" and it is a highly enjoyable and informative read by one of the true legends of the instrument, who also happens to be one of the most genial and kind saxophonists around, as I and his legion of friends and fans will attest. For order information, please click on the following link: Paul Brodie's "Concert Saxophonist, Ambassador of the Saxophone"

James Houlik

"I am really impressed with the consistency of these reeds. In fact, I can't remember finding so many quality reeds in a single box ever "I'm looking for a dark, robust sound, and the Superial "DC" provides exactly what I need. My concert activities range from recitals to concerto dates with orchestras and bands, to pop shows and I need a reed that can cover a broad territory... I'm delighted I now have the Alexander Superial "DC" reeds to depend on. The Alexander Superial "DC" reed is just what the doctor ordered....consistent and responsive. I need a reed that will allow me to achieve a tone with warmth and darkness, without being stuffy, and I've found it in the Superial "DC". It is comforting to know that I now have a source for excellent reeds, with the qualities and consistency that I have long hoped for. The Alexander Superial "DC" gives me exactly the combination of warmth of tone without having to compromise response and power."

We are most honored that the man critically acclaimed as being the leading classical tenor saxophonist in the world, James Houlik, has just joined us as an Alexander Classical Artist. Hailed by the Washington Post as "The Andres Segovia of the Tenor Saxophone" , James Houlik has not only been lauded worldwide for his virtuosic performances, but also for his pioneering efforts on behalf of the instrument, which have resulted in the composition of over 70 original concert works from such illustrious composers as Morton Gould, Robert Ward, and Russel Peck, among others.

From a performance at the White House to solo appearances with orchestras in New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, Prague, etc. and recitals in the music capitols of the world, James Houlik has almost single handedly carved a niche for the tenor saxophone in the classical and concert worlds.

After studying with 20th century saxophone legend Sigurd Rascher, Houlik's steadily gained recognition in an area of concert saxophone that had been hitherto widely neglected...tenor saxophone repertoire. In time, he was garnering critical praise with comments such as:
"The world's great saxophone " ( London Daily Mail)

"A performance that might exhaust one's superlatives " (Washington Post)
"Houlik is a truly brilliant player " (New York Magazine)
"With his virtuoso performing talents, Mr. Houlik could probably convince any doubter that the saxophone deserves a prominent place in any concert goer's heart." (N.Y. Times).

Kenneth Radnofsky

"Dear Tom, The Alexander Superial Classique (I play a 3 1/2) is a fantastic alto sax reed. I just used it at Tanglewood to play Berio Sequenza IXB, and it still has hours of playing left on it, with a wonderful range of color possibilities and flexibility. In fact I believe it plays better now than it did then, and at the time, I had never played a better reed! The DC reed also has terrific qualities to suit personal tastes; my students and I are using both. The 3 1/2's match up extremely well to my C* S-80; I would imagine that those playing Vandoren mouthpieces or S-90 Selmer 180,190 would have similar success.

Congratulations on having produced a really superior reed. And, they all play!!"

Mr. Radnofsky made his New York Philharmonic debut in 1996, also under the direction of Maestro Masur, having made his Carnegie Hall debut some years earlier with the NY premiere of Gunther Schuller's Concerto with the Natl. Orchestral Assn. The world premiere of the Schuller was also given by Radnofsky, with the Pittsburgh Symphony, with both of the highly acclaimed performances conducted by the composer. David Amram's Concerto, 'Ode to Lord Buckley,' is also dedicated to Radnofsky, who premiered the work with the Portland Symphony, under Bruce Hangen's direction.

Other American composers commissioned by Radnofsky, have included, in recent years, Christopher Theofanidis, Larry Bell, Donald Martino, Milton Babbitt, Ezra Sims, Roger Bourland, Michael Horvit, and an innovative commission of Pulitzer Prize winning composer John Harbison for a Sonata, premiered Dec. 3, 1995 by 43 saxophonists in different locations around the globe in an effort organized by Radnofsky, entitled World-Wide Concurrent Premieres, Inc. (WWCP). Mr. Radnofsky is Exec. Dir. of WWCP, and has created a network of musicians commissioning today's finest composers. Australian composer Vincent Plush, and Russian composer Georgy Dmitriev have also written for Radnofsky. Current solo cd releases are Debussy Rhapsody with the NY Philharmonic (Teldec 13133), and and Donald Martino's Saxophone Concerto (New World 80529-2). In 1991 he was featured soloist with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, performing Franz Waxman's 'A Place in the Sun,' under John Mauceri's direction ( Philips 4321092).

During 1999-2000, Kenneth Radnofsky premiered new works by Gunther Schuller, Yang Yong, David Amram, Michael Colgrass, Shih-Hui Chen, Andy Vores, Lei Liang, and Donald Martino, in a celebration of 30 years of teaching (all of the works bear a dedication to Radnodsky), with concerts in Rome, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Montreal and Beijing. Eliott Schwartz, and Michael Colgrass are completing concertos commissioned by Radnofsky for 2000-2001. Kenneth Radnofsky is a Selmer Artist who plays exclusively on Selmer saxophones.

2005-6 includes world-wide tour (and recording) of Rachmaninoff and Chopin Sonatas, by saxophonist Radnofsky. 2004-5 featured premieres of new works by Chen, McDonald, Qualliotine and guest performing/ teaching/designing a saxophone program for Venezuela. Radnofsky is committed to outreach on an international scale, nationally and locally; his editorial on such was published in the Christian Science Monitor.

Yusheng Li

"Alexander Superial is my favorite reed. I am particularly fond of "DC# No. 3.5 and "Classique" No. 3. The brightness and thickness of the sounds DC produces are very impressive; while the concentrated and splendid sounds made by the Classique are just unique. I use the two kinds of Alexander reeds during my performances. There is no doubt that the technology of manufacture is the best one worldwide. I'd like to thank Tom immensely for his contributions to saxophone reeds."

Concert saxophonist Yusheng Li received high marks in his diploma recital for the saxophone from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada. He is the first player in China to get such a the saxophone diploma overseas, in this case under the personal instruction of Paul Brodie. He founded the New World Saxophone Quartet of Sichuan Conservatory of Music,the NWAQ made their first CD in 2002. Now Yusheng Li is an associate professor of saxophone at Sichuan Conservatory of Music and performs at concerts throughout China. Mr. Li has also been instrumental in introducing the saxophone and its music to China by helping to arrange for concerts of other prominent classical saxophonists from abroad in conjunction with the Chinese Government.

Photo from Yusheng Li's recent Yamaha Corp. sponsored Saxophone Quartet Tour of China