Saxophones
From DukeBand
Legend of the Saxophones
The saxophones are a mythical instrument that is said to have existed a long time ago in the Duke University Marching Band. No one has seen any in a long time. We think there is still one named Kevin...we think...
Regardless of the current lack of the legendary saxophones in the Duke University Marching Band, their many legends live on. Under the leadership of The Great Chris, a young group of legendary saxophones ascended to musical brilliance by playing at a level that the other sections, mere mortals, could not hope to achieve. Though the saxophones believed that the Gross Cup was a little too... Gross... to have their revered name engraved on it, they graced the other sections with their participation in the Fall Break photo scavenger hunt. As would be obvious to those who respect these legendary beings, the competition was crushed. Though the musical talents of the saxophones were unmatched, their sheer amount of "chill" was incomprehensible. This was displayed in the legendary late night section gatherings and the laid back sectionals.
Though the legends of the saxophones are many and marvelous, perhaps the most famous legend is the one that took place during halftime at Duke football games. Though all in attendance at the football games knew that they had witnessed greatness, only the few who were able to keep their wits in the presences of the saxophones' radiance could tell you that all the members of the section unleashed their inner Epic Sax Guy at the same time. Nothing of the kind can be found anywhere else in the world.
Saxsquatch
The myth of Saxsquatch, although especially well known in modern pop culture, traces its roots far back into traditional musical folklore and is often subject to lively debate. Many believe that the Saxsquatch is actually derived from the northwest Amerindian oral tradition of legendary wildmen/beasts that lived in the forest. Although local variations existed long before a common name, most were suspected to commit nefarious acts ranging from cacophonous rasping wails in the depth of night all the way to carrying off young children and teaching them to play saxophone.
Other theories point to the origin of the saxophone instrument itself. The Saxsquatch as a single entity was not coined or widespread until the 1900's, suggesting that the Saxsquatch proper may coincide with the relatively recent development of the hybrid woodwind/brass contraption designed by Adolphe Sax in 1846. After many years of toil working to improve instrument design, Sax passed away in 1894, hardly recognized partially due to the constant conflict of rival instrument makers attacking the legitimacy of his patent designs. Adherents to the Sax theory purpose that the Saxsquatch is indeed the ghost of Aldolphe Sax himself, a tormented soul constantly at unrest due to his miserable failure to fulfill his original desire of creating an instrument that was both powerful and elegant. If this explanation is truly the case, it is unlikely that the tragic fate of Sax shall ever be resolved due to the lack of living saxophone players for Sax's soul to occupy.
Taking a more global perspective, the final theory of the Saxsquatch draws from the rich Himalayan legends of the Clarinyeti, which span several centuries in the local indigenous cultures. Many suppose that the Saxsquatch may actually be a North American descendent of the Clarinyeti, although every bit as elusive and possibly even fewer in number.
