FedEx : Giant Saxophone Arrives in New Orleans for City’s Tricentennial

February 15, 2018

[Attachment] Jazz is a music genre created by African Americans who lived in Louisiana. During the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, musicians gathered around New Orleans to play rhythmic styles such as swing, bebop, and free jazz on their brass and woodwind instruments. One of the most notable instruments of the jazz sound is the saxophone.

Musicians such as John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Stan Getz have popularized the saxophone throughout the years. Most people would deduce that since jazz finds its origins in the deep south of New Orleans, subsequently, the saxophone was born there as well. Truth is, the saxophone doesn't bear its roots from Southern USA, but hails from Southern Belgium.

During the early 1840s, a Belgian musician by the name of Mr. Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone. The saxophone is a single-reed instrument made of metal, with a conical bore. The saxophone player blows air into the instrument, creating a vibration that radiates an octave sound out of the bell and any open holes. Known for its romantic, alluring sounds, the saxophone is a fan favorite among music lovers all across the globe.

On April 5^th, 2018, the city of New Orleans will celebrate its 300^th anniversary. As a gift from the city of Namur, Belgium, FedEx will transport a giant saxophone to New Orleans for the city's tricentennial celebration. This special saxophone was painted by Dimitri Perpete (shown in the photo). The saxophone will be presented to the city, as the double-sided painting on the saxophone commemorates the musical connection between the instrument's birthplace and the world's capital of jazz.

FedEx donated shipping of the giant saxophone from Houyet, Belgium to New Orleans, USA, and it arrived safely just in time for Mardi Gras. The dedication of the sculpture will take place during the April 5^th tricentennial celebration.

You can be sure that this celebration will be one to remember, as the sounds of the saxophone playing will ignite chants of 'Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler,' a Cajun expression meaning 'let the good times roll'!