New Poway-based group strives for sax appeal

By Emily Sorensen

The Saxations, an all-women saxophone quartet based in Poway, are blazing new trails for female saxophonists with their skill, style and marketing plans.

“[The Saxations] are fairly new, we’ve been together since March,” said LeiLani Vidal, a Poway resident and director of the Better Health and Wellness Center in Poway. “We’ve been pleasantly taking off since then.”

Vidal was inspired to put together an all-female saxophone group after attending a marketing talk at the Sax Summit in Orange County earlier this year. One of the talks held at the event was about how to market yourself in the music industry, and how to set yourself apart.

“It felt like he was speaking my language,” said Vidal. “I always wanted an all-female saxophone quartet.”

The hardest part of putting together The Saxations, said Vidal, was finding female saxophone players who could perform and read music. Vidal found one, who introduced her to another talented saxophonist she knew, and before long, The Saxations were born. “We didn’t know each other,” said Vidal. “I didn’t know if we’d work.”

Vidal’s fellow sax players are Kyrie Lombard, a baritone saxophonist, Allison Boles, who plays tenor and alto saxophone and new member Michelle Maynard, who recently replaced former Saxation Shannon Bates.

“We’re not your traditional grandmother’s sax quartet,” said Vidal. She described their sound as “pop instrumental,” that is sometimes compared to smooth jazz. The Saxations have performed instrumental versions of Destiny’s Child song “Bootylicious,” as well as Michael Jackson songs.

One of the things that have set them apart from other groups is their music arrangements, said Vidal. “We’ve hired the best arrangers, who have written arrangements for us,” said Vidal. “The level of quality is very high.”

Vidal began playing saxophone at age 11, and played professionally with her parents’ band, “Cam Vidal and the Blue Notes,” which she played with through high school, before putting the sax aside to focus on college. She began playing again a few years ago, and has been working on improving her skills ever since. “My skills have improved quite a bit since being part of [The Saxations],” said Vidal.

Though they’ve been together less than a year, Vidal said the group is doing very well, performing locally as well as in Hollywood, at a birthday party for noted percussionist and arranger Victor Orlando. The group also recently performed at the Christmas in the Park event in Old Poway Park, and at Tango del Rey in San Diego, which was a sold-out show. “There’s a lot of hype out there [about us],” said Vidal. “A lot of interest in women playing sax.”

Vidal said The Saxations have received an endorsement deal with Dakota Saxophones, and are in discussion for further endorsement deals. The Saxations will be performing in January at the National Association for Music Manufacturers, representing Dakota Saxophones. “That’s a big deal [in the music industry],” said Vidal.

Vidal said The Saxations are in the studio recording an album, though there isn’t a release date set as of yet.

Visit

www.saxations.com

for more information.