Uploaded September 2015 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In this episode of Jazz, Period., we hear Al McLean play the Ellington ballad Sophisticated Lady. McLean is heard on a rare Grafton plastic saxophone that he meticulously restored. The musician's restoration is notable, as there are few technicians willing to work on the Grafton due to its complex design, which the artist compares to a Rube Goldberg device. Already rare, most surviving Graftons remain unrestored, or in a state of failed reassembly.
McLean makes great work of the striking ballad, taking advantage of the Grafton's naturally dark tone.
The British Grafton was made of molded acrylic, using the same technology as the Spitfire aircraft canopy. Two notable players associated with this distinctive instrument are Charlie Parker, who played a Grafton on stage after his own brass instrument had been pawned, and Free Jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman.
Al McLean - Grafton Alto Saxophone
Jim Doxas - Drums
Jason Davis - Bass
Filmed and recorded at Upstairs Jazz Bar and Grill in Montreal, August 17th, 2015
In this episode of Jazz, Period., we hear Al McLean play the Ellington ballad Sophisticated Lady. McLean is heard on a rare Grafton plastic saxophone that he meticulously restored. The musician's restoration is notable, as there are few technicians willing to work on the Grafton due to its complex design, which the artist compares to a Rube Goldberg device. Already rare, most surviving Graftons remain unrestored, or in a state of failed reassembly.
McLean makes great work of the striking ballad, taking advantage of the Grafton's naturally dark tone.
The British Grafton was made of molded acrylic, using the same technology as the Spitfire aircraft canopy. Two notable players associated with this distinctive instrument are Charlie Parker, who played a Grafton on stage after his own brass instrument had been pawned, and Free Jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman.
Al McLean - Grafton Alto Saxophone
Jim Doxas - Drums
Jason Davis - Bass
Filmed and recorded at Upstairs Jazz Bar and Grill in Montreal, August 17th, 2015
