SFJAZZ Collective tenor saxophonist and composer David Sánchez illustrates three concepts that make up his approach to basic saxophone technique, focused on breathing, intervallic exercises, and practicing within song forms. And don’t forget your metronome!

Since his early exposure with Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nations Orchestra, the Puerto Rican virtuoso has become one of the most celebrated instrumentalists in jazz, recording nine albums as a leader and winning a Latin Grammy Award for his 2004 orchestral session, Coral.

The five-time GRAMMY nominee has performed with a roster of greats including Charlie Haden, Eddie Palmieri, Roy Haynes, Tom Harrell and countless others. He has an impressive résumé as an educator, conducting master classes, workshops and residencies at the world’s top universities and conservatories.

His latest album is the 2019 Ropeadope release Carib, a recording exploring the folkloric music of Haiti that features former SFJAZZ Collective drummer Obed Calvaire and was nominated for a 2020 GRAMMY for Best Latin Jazz Album.