Episode 6
No One Told Me It Was Odd for a Girl to Play a Saxophone with Mindi Abair (Art Should Reflect Life)
Today’s guest is a two-time Grammy nominee with 12 #1 radio hits, Mindi Abair. She is a very successful saxophonist, vocalist, and author, and she is also an entrepreneur. She was the featured saxophonist on American Idol for a couple of seasons and the first solo saxophonist touring with Aerosmith since 1973. Her father was a saxophone and a keyboard player in the Blue-Eyed Soul band. Her grandmother was an opera singer. Seeing her father having so much fun on stage while playing saxophone, she also chose to play saxophone, and she chose well. She loves playing for the masses, and she says she has always been a live music girl. In 2019 Mindi and her husband, Eric, launched Reserve Tasting Wine Company.
Listen to this episode to learn more about her, her music, her life, business, hobbies, passion; what she likes to listen to, and much more. In the ‘Bout it or Doubt it segment, you can find out what she thinks about skydiving and mounting climbing. Enjoy this conversation and listening to three of her songs: April, Flirt, and Be Beautiful.
Episode Highlights
08:38 – In my music, you can hear that pop influence on certain records. Certain records are more blues-influenced, a lot more organic sounding, or rougher. I try to take what’s in my heart at the time. Art should reflect life.
13:54 – I was going to make music that moves people, that moves me. We recorded April right as the world was shutting down for the pandemic. That song tells the story.
17:46 – I felt the same as I feel now, that I became a better saxophonist on that tour and making that record because you’re surrounded every night on stage and backstage with these incredible players.
25:02 – I’ve spent my life creating music and playing music. But my husband has spent his life running very cool vineries. He is quite knowledgeable. He goes and finds incredible wines, and I create the artwork for it. And I put together a playlist for each bottle.
35:56 – I spent about ten years on the board of The Recording Academy. I became a national Trustee for the organization. I really love to be a part of that, and it became a huge part of my life because they do so much good.
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