Steve Goodson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steve Goodson is an American saxophone maker. His unique designs have improved saxophone intonation and playability, and are distributed worldwide.
Goodson was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He began the study of music at age four, and could read music before he could read words. His first instrument was the piano, and he took up the saxophone at age eleven. By age thirteen, he was playing professional engagements, and won every competition available to a high school student in Alabama, including five consecutive years as first chair in the all county band and first chair in the all state band.
During the late 1960's, his professional playing career blossomed and he toured nationally with The Reflections and other prominent groups of the era. When not on the road, he studied classical saxophone with Professor Ronald Attinger.
In 1972, he opened his first shop devoted to saxophone repair and restoration, servicing the professional market only, and continued an active playing career.
By the early 1990's, Steve relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he continued an active playing career and began the study of saxophone and mouthpiece design with Santy Runyon. He was engaged by the Unison saxophone company to design the revolutionary Steve Goodson Model saxophone, which utilized many unique keywork and acoustic features never before seen on saxophones, as well as a line of unique aftermarket necks for the Masterpiece company. These saxophones and necks were distributed worldwide to great acclaim for their innovation.
In 2004, Goodson left the Unison company and began an association with Orpheus Music. He was charged with developing an entire family of saxophones, from sopranino through bass, for all four Orpheus brands. The result was once again saxophones with keywork and features found on no other instruments previously seen, with an extended range from the normal two and a half octaves to a full four octaves.
In addition to saxophone design, Steve has designed unique kangaroo leather saxophone pads for another company, and numerous other saxophone accessories.
