FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2024-202

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (November 6, 2024) – In this edition of Fun with Maps we celebrate the birthday of Adolphe Sax: inventor of the saxophone.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL SAXOPHONE DAY

If you are a jazz lover, you should be celebrating today.  It’s International Saxophone Day, an unofficial holiday celebrated on the birthday of Adolphe Sax.

Sax invented the woodwind instrument and patented 14 different versions of it in 1846.  The versions encompassed seven different variations of the instrument to play various ranges from sopranino to contrabass.  The Belgian’s unique instrument combined the power of brass with the subtlety of a woodwind instrument.

Sax was the son of parents who were instrument designers and grew up playing flute and clarinet.

He helped design instruments for military bands and also invented several other popular ones that were used by the bands at the time but have fallen out of vogue – the saxhorn, saxtromba, and saxtuba.

The saxophone became a jazz favorite due to its ability to express mellow and soulful music without the brashness of a brass instrument.  Its versatility in both sound and range makes it a favorite among music students.

Sax was born in Dinant, shown in this 1602 map of today’s southeast portion of Belgium by Ortelius.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.