I picked up the saxophone in sixth grade and continued playing for four years. In high school, I gave up the instrument for fear of being labeled a band geek. Little did I realize then how little people’s perceptions truly matter. I’ve tried to rectify this mistake later in life, however, and my most recent step in the process was to buy a tenor saxophone.

For years, I’ve admired such jazz saxophone greats as Charlie Parker and Stan Getz. The newer light-jazz sounds of Kenny G and others of his ilk never inspired me much. It’s the classics of the 1940s and ’50s that I find myself listening to repeatedly. Although I don’t harbor any delusions of greatness, I’ve still managed to find a creative outlet.