Saxophonist J. White discusses new album, plays holiday tunes

Saxophonist J. White joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss more about his upbringing, career and passion for music.

White is an internationally recognized Billboard artist, songwriter and producer. He is a Detroit native and his influences are Charlie Parker, Grover Washington Jr., Gerald Albright and others.

White started playing the saxophone at 10 years old but didn’t get serious with the instrument until he turned 15. White continued playing through college and began playing professionally when he became an adult.

“Jazz definitely took root at the age of 15,” White said, “I joined the jazz band in high school, and I remember taking my first solo in a competition, got a little bit of an applause on that, from that point on, I was kind of hooked to it.”

White emphasized how important jazz is in his music and his life. The improvisation and variety of the genre stuck with him for most of his life and professional career.

“Improvising is like life,” White said, “You gotta make up some things as you go sometimes, but you gotta make sure you’re staying in the flow of the music like you stay in the flow of life, so that’s why I always responded to jazz music.”

White recently released a Christmas album, “A J. White Christmas,” as well. The album reimagines beloved holiday tunes, infusing them with soulful harmonies, sensual melodies and jazz-inspired arrangements.

“I always try to put my stamp on my music,” White said, “You know soulful, melodic and kind of a jazzier edge to it, so I was happy to put that together this year.”

Catch White’s appearance this weekend on Arizona PBS’ local production, “Playlist 48,” a curated playlist of Arizona’s music scene.