Given the tempestuous nature of a recording session, not many musicians or record labels would allow a filmmaker total access to the creative process. After all, it's hard enough to make music without having a movie crew in your face.

So when the Saxophone Summit requested video documentation for their 2nd Telarc recording, I wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible. Instead of a 3 person crew, I did everything myself: camera, lights and sound. And after the session, editing as well.

I shot about twenty hours of video and after repeated viewing, I decided to create seven portraits of seven remarkable people. And although Michael Brecker wasn't present, brother Randy joined the group for several tunes including his own Message to Mike, so one of the portraits is a tribute to the late saxman.

Special thanks to Joe, Lieb, Ravi, Phil, Cecil and Billy, along with Telarc Records, who made this podcast series possible.

Message to Mike - Michael Brecker

Cosmic Saxman - David Liebman
 

Our Daily Bread - Joe Lovano
 

Into the Light - Ravi Coltrane
 

That's Phil Markowitz - Phil Markowitz
 

All About Cecil - Cecil McBee
 

Jabali - Billy Hart