Saxophonist Wes Smith; How the Power of Community Skyrocketed His Music Career

Donna is joined by Wesley Smith, a saxophonist, composer, and educator, for an intimate, in-depth discussion you won't hear anywhere else. Together, they slow things down, listen deeply, and unpack the thinking behind the music.

👉 Inside, you'll hear: 00:00 Introduction

08:06 Listen and reflect to "We the Funky" part 1

10:53 Tip from a Kenny Garrett Masterclass that impacted Wes' future compositions

12:04 Listen and reflect to "We the Funky" part 2

14:27 A tip from Walt Weiskopf to boost your saxophone articulation

15:09 Listen and reflect to "We the Funky" part 3

19:20 Performance tip for communicating with the audience

20:51 A community perspective on stage

22:58 Listen and reflect to "Baby Steps"

29:27 Juggling dreams and personal life

32:47 Listen and reflect to "Sunrise"

37:06 When did he start writing the album

38:50 Listen and reflect to "Ventura Penthouse"

43:48 The power of instrumental music and language

48:12 Being part of "Whiplash" the movie

50:11 His experience with other big artists

👉 Explore more about Wes Smith, his music, background, and socials, all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-wes-smith-how-the-power-of-community-skyrocketed-his-music-career-ep-259 __________________________________________________________________ Become a Patron today! ⭐️ Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔 To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music? That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence." Inside, you'll discover: How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note) And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available 👉 LINK HERE