Saxophonist Steve Kortyka on Discipline & Performing with Famous People, Ep. 274

What does it take to perform on some of the world's biggest stages while continuing to grow as a musician and educator?   In this episode of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down with acclaimed saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator Steve Kortyka to discuss his musical journey, performing with legendary artists, the discipline required to succeed, and his biggest advice for developing as an improviser.   Below is a detailed timestamp guide to help you navigate the key highlights of our conversation:  00:00 Musical beginnings 12:10 How to gauge your progress 13:33 His teaching experience 26:03 Simplicity vs. complexity of music process now and then  33:02 Playing with Lady Gaga and other opportunities that opened up 42:22 How Steve studied the craft of writing arrangements 44:16 Required discipline and hard work even for famous people 48:29 Listen and reflect on Steve's solo "Love for Sale" 58:49 Is it nerve wracking to play for a famous person with large shows? 01:04:26 Preparing for shows 01:16:37 Steve's huge tip for those wanting to get better with their improvisation 01:18:11 This element of music is most important when soloing 01:22:26 Equipment 01:29:00 Upcoming projects   Explore more about Steve Kortyka-his music, background, and socials-all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-steve-kortyka-on-discipline-performing-with-famous-people-ep-274 Become a Patron today!  Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows V Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play?  To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music? That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence." Inside, you'll discover: How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note) And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available 👉 HERE