Playing covers is as fun as it is a challenge. Listeners will inevitably compare what you do with the original track, and most people do so in terms of “who did it better?” instead of “what does each interpretation achieve?”. As a sax player, I aim to keep and honour the essence of the original song, while also bringing the qualities of the saxophone to it. Additionally —and this is the fun part— I embellish the piece with my own personal touch.

Here are some examples to warm up for the weekend. First, my cover of ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder, alongside the wonderful Not Just Jazz band:

Next, a fragment of Chaka Khan’s ‘Ain’t Nobody (Loves Me Better)’ at the Time For My Music Evening Showcase:

And, finally, the romantic ‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran, which I played at the British Motor Museum for International Women’s Day.

You can find many more videos on my YouTube channel!