Bill Saxton – Harlem’s Saxa Claus – Streaming Holiday Cheer

I met Bill Saxton at St. Nick’s Pub one Friday night in 1997 during one of his weekly gigs.  Over the years we have remained friendly, our lives intersecting significantly in the early 2000’s when we each opened a Harlem jazz spot within a few blocks of the other.  

Bill’s Place, 148 West 133rd Street, is now one of the most important jazz spots in NY as it literally ties Prohibition Era speakeasy jazz history with the modern jazz scene of today.  Serendipitously, Bill opened his club in the brownstone where Billie Holiday was discovered by John Hammond back in 1933.  

The Pandemic has effectively moved most live jazz on the planet online for the time being.  After months of limited performance activity, Bill decided to offer a taste of Harlem during the holidays to his international audience online as well.  Teaming up with Yardbird Entertainment, the limited presentation of Bill Saxton’s Holiday Songbook Special is now available online for $15 through Dec. 26, 2020 at this link.

On this special, Bill, who always has the best trios in town to support his tenor and soprano saxwork, is joined by Keith Brown-Piano, Dezron Douglas- Bass, and Darrell Green- Drums.

Enjoy,

Gordon Polatnick
Big Apple Jazz Tours