There's No Hiding

NATURAL TALENT
   When you've got it, you've got it. But how long will it take you to realize what it is? Well, it took Alex Han until he was about 9 to discover that he was harboring an amazing gift. By the time he was 11 years old, he was playing the saxophone professionally.
    Starting at age 7, Han played the recorder, something his parents thought would offer him creative outlet while still being an educational activity. Within a year, Han had moved on to the saxophone, and his parents purchased his first instrument, a Yamaha custom alto sax with a black lacquer finish. And he was off and running.
   Han made a demo CD, which eventually ended up being played for Paquito D'Rivera, who was sure he was listening to Benny Carter. Han's father John took him to the Blue Note in New York to meet D'Rivera one evening. The two have developed quite a friendship since then, with D'Rivera acting as a mentor for Han. Coincidentally, the two found that they both play the same black lacquer alto sax.
    Han's career has taken off in a big way. At 13, Han has performed all over New York City--Lincoln Center, the Blue Note, Times Square, and Gracie Mansion, home of New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. His travels have taken him abroad, as well. He went to Uraguay in January to play at the 6th Annual Punta del Este International Jazz Festival with the likes of D'Rivera and Jon Faddis, and recently returned from a trip to Holland, where he performed at The North Sea Jazz Festival.
    Han's natural melodic skill has a way of bowling over even the most seasoned professional. And yet, after he's gone to his lessons and put in some time practicing, he still does the same thing that every 13-year-old does: homework, play video games with friends, and just be a teenager. Only this teenager takes a

trip every now and again to perform in front of thousands of people. And he loves that. "I really like playing at festivals. It's so cool. I get to meet a lot of great musicians and I get to play for a lot of people who like jazz." What's not to like about that?
    Han has also added a Yamaha soprano saxophone to his collection. Yamaha instruments are the one thing that Han's father, John, had in his mind from the start of Alex's musical journey. "When we were just starting out, I saw that Alex was something special," explained John Han, "and I knew from when I used to play the saxophone, that Yamaha makes the best saxophone out there today.
    Even at that early age, we knew we wanted to make the investment, and buy him the best equipment possible."
    As for Alex Han, he's pretty convinced, himself. "My Yamaha's great. I think it's the best saxophone made. I like how the keys feel I mean, everything is so smooth. I also like how it sounds when I play it."
    Han's future is bright, and he's got his heart set on following the professional route. He's taking lessons, and learning how to read music. He's also delving more into the history of jazz, listening to the different styles of both the old names and the new. Along the way, he's making quite a name for himself; chances are, when the time comes, Han will have his pick of music schools to attend.
    "This has been a great experience for Alex," says John Han. "He has a while before he has to decide what he wants to do. Right now, he's seeing what it's like to live the life of a musician, to see if it's what he wants to do. So far, he says he does!"
    Han is working on releasing his debut full-length CD, which should be available sometime this fall. After that, his focus is on upcoming jazz festivals, which video games to ask for Christmas, and where his growing career will take him next.
    Alex plays a Yamaha Custom Alto Sax, YAS 875B, and a Yamaha Custom Soprano Sax, YSS 875.

--For more information about Alex Han, see his website at www.alexhanonline.com.

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