::click here to see the full length article:: Jon Saxx and Endless Possiblities
Published in MIA Magazine Fall 2010
Passion Drives Endless Possibilities…
By, Ascellia M. Arenas
He is a dapper fellow, streamlined like his saxophone. His presence is heralded by the sensual sound of his horn. He stands close to her, not close enough to touch her; but close enough for her to hear the wail of his horn and see the strength of his hands as he controls the air flow from each note. He does not need to look at his fingering, he is looking at her and drawing her in to him. She blushes, she swoons, and she falls for the Saxx man. Jon Saxx is more than just a saxophone player; he is an astute businessman with a five year plan to take his stardom worldwide.
He didn’t start out making the ladies swoon from the sound of his alto sax; he was only in the fourth grade. He grew up playing in church and eventually graduated to the soprano sax. Jon learned how to play while attending school in Cincinnati, Ohio. He says, “Arts combined with education creates a diverse portfolio.” Influenced by the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Gerald Albright, Grover Washington and Kurt Whalen, young Jon developed a passion for music and began to develop his signature sound from playing sounds he liked by ear and applying his own personal feelings . Jon believes that “God didn’t give everybody everything but He did give everybody something and with that something, you can do anything.”
Jon attended Miami University at Ohio, where he earned a degree in Engineering. He also played basketball, ran track for the Redhawks, and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, as well. His degree led him to South Florida as a managing team leader for Johnson and Johnson where he worked for CORTIS, a company that makes cardio vascular devices. It was there he learned how to structure and create systems for success. Jon knows how to navigate the business end of the music. His stint at Johnson and Johnson ended: however, the experience he gained there helped him develop his best product, which is Jon Saxx.
Jon knows his own self worth. That enables him to get great jobs as an artist. He states, “[I’ve] worked for free at certain gigs; but, I choose the right type of gigs to do…that allows me to network and follow-up on those connections.” He has created musical magic at events for the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Johnson & Wales, the Florida Tourist Board, Jazz in the Gardens, the Miami Dolphins Organization and for the Miami Heat Organization. Jon currently markets his CD’s on his website (jonsaxx.com) and is preparing to go on tour in Europe. He is excited about his band, Endless Possibilities, and spearheading a charitable cruise to the Bahamas, February 11-14, 2011. The Saxx at Sea cruise is a benefit for the Kids in Harmony and Moms 2 Moms Organizations (visit saxxatsea.com for more details).
Jon is no stranger to community service. He frequently amazes students at career day events. One of his favorite lessons is called “The IPod Challenge”, students provide a song for him to play from their IPods: and Jon shows them how he can play any song he hears by ear! He says, “I made an impact on them: now they think jazz is cool.”
Cellibration 