News

New Album ABSENT // out today

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My new album ABSENT is officially released today!
Recorded live at the legendary LOFT in Cologne, ABSENT captures my quartet – Felix Hauptmann, Chris Lightcap, Fabian Arends, and myself – in full energy, spontaneity, and deep musical dialogue.
This album is very close to my heart: music that drifts between clarity and mystery, structure and freedom, distance and closeness. I’m so happy to finally share it with you – it’s out everywhere now!

LISTEN HERE

NEW BOOK // Micro-Studies #004 - Melodic Minor in Motion

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I’m happy to announce that my latest micro study, #004 – Melodic Minor in Motion, is now available! After focusing my previous micro-study mainly on saxophonists, this new one explores a topic relevant to all improvising musicians — the melodic minor scale and its modes. Over the past few years, I’ve developed a systematic and practical approach to studying this material, combining theory, exercises, compositions, and études to make it both structured and inspiring.

The book (PDF, 90 pages) is available in English and German on MELAX MUSIC.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback once you’ve had a chance to explore it!

Solotranscription: Joel Ross - Synchrony

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I spent the last few weeks practising a fantastic solo by Joel Ross on the new Blue Note album ‘Motion I - Out Of / Into’. I always find it particularly challenging to play solos that are not on your own instrument. That often presents you with particular technical difficulties. The time and flow with which Joel improvises here is absolutely terrific! Next step: In the upper octave.

Transcription for Tenor Sax (PDF)

New book: Micro-Studies #003 - Modern Sound Studies for Saxophone

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Unlock your full potential as a saxophonist with Micro-Studies #003, designed to enhance your control, tone, and musical creativity. This micro-study offers a systematic approach to mastering wide intervals, triads, seventh chords, and pentatonic scales, all centered around a fixed pedal tone. Through carefully crafted exercises, you’ll develop a balanced, resonant sound, improve intonation, and refine your technique, all while embracing personal expression and creative exploration.

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional player, this study will help you push the boundaries of your musicality and gain new technical flexibility. With practical guidelines, detailed variations, and space for your own ideas, Micro-Studies #003 is an essential resource for saxophonists seeking a deeper connection to their instrument and a more distinctive sound.

Available in German and English as a pdf book via melaxmusic.eu

SJO\CGN feat. Chris Lightcap (USA)

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For the last concert of the Subway Jazz Orchestra 2024, we have invited the fantastic American bassist Chris Lightcap. I've been a big fan of his band ‘Bigmouth’ for years and will be arranging the music for big band. The concert will take place on 20 November 2024 at Club Subway in Cologne.

Two days later, I will also be playing a quartet concert with Chirs Lightcap and my colleagues Felix Hauptmann (p) and Fabian Arends (dr) at LOFT in Cologne. This will also be recorded and will probably be released as an album in 2025.

New MICRO-STUDY available!

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After over two years of diligent and continuous work, I'm pleased to finally announce the release of a new Micro-Study: Micro-Studies #002 - Getting Inspired by Warne Marsh.

This release is about analysing in detail a solo transcription by Warne Marsh on the composition Loco 47, an incredible solo that is bursting with creative ideas. It offers a treasure trove of exercises and improvisation concepts, which I have tried to compile on well over 100 pages. The book can now be purchased digitally in German or English from the MELAX MUSIC website.

Pre-Release concert of YOU ARE THE UNIVERSE | Subway Jazz Orchestra & Stefan Karl Schmid

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On March 22nd there will be a very special concert at Club Subway in Cologne. I’m going to present my new 60 minute suite for Jazz Orchestra - YOU ARE THE UNIVERSE. The official album release will be in May this year, but there might already be some CDs available at the concert next week ;)

Tickets

MICRO-STUDIES #001 - Practice Cycles for Secondary Dominants

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New year - new input... Some time ago I had the idea to make some things I work on daily in my practice room available to others as well. I have therefore started to create "micro-studies" on special topics, which aim to shed light on different musical aspects and show inspiring ways to deal with the material on your own. It starts with "MICRO-STUDIES #001 - Practice Cycles for Secondary Dominants". Available now as a pdf download from my website: Melax Music 

Check it out and send me some feedback, if you want ;-)