BOTTICELLI RECORDS

The Devil's Horn:
Marco's 1950 Selmer Super Balanced Action SBA Alto Saxophone

I recently found an unopened envelope in the Marco Eneidi Archive and when I opened it, inside there was a statement of replacement value from February, 1995 from Cole's Woodwind Shop in Watervliet, New York.

Apparently he had shipped it out for major service from when I was living with him in Rohnert Park, CA in 3rd grade while he was finishing his undergrad at Sonoma State. I imagine the replacement value document would have been for insurance during shipping purposes.

Marco was always extremely particular about who he would let work on his horn, the only person/shop that I know of being Jeff Hobbs at Best Instrument Repair in Oakland, CA. Even while living in Europe for a decade he would always hold out for as long as possible to bring it back to the states to be worked on in Oakland.

Being curious about who this other person/shop could be, I spoke with my mother and asked her about Cole's in Watervliet. She actually remembered Marco always going to Cole's for reeds and servicing his horn going way back to the 80's. She had actually been visiting me in Rohnert Park, CA when he had shipped it out to Cole's back in 1995 as well.

When I looked up the shop I was surprised to learn that Cole's Woodwind Shop is not only still in business, but that now they're in Saratoga Springs, NY of all places! This is only about 45 minutes from where I currently live in Salem, NY! I couldn't believe it; I had to give them a call and speak to them.

I've had my father's horn for nine years now and after recently looking at it, it was obvious that it was in need of some TLC. I had been considering shipping it off to Oakland to get fixed up when I discovered that envelope. This now makes only two people in the whole world that I know of that he trusted to work on it.

After speaking with Cole's I decided to drop the horn off for a complete overhaul and cleaning. I just picked it back up a few days ago and the work that Bill Cole did is incredible! The shop is now run by Bill and his adult son Billy. Bill personally did the work on Marco's horn and did everything the way my father would have wanted it. From using the special old style resonators in the new pads to several other little details that were specific to Marco's preferences and playing style.

After he had finished overhauling it, Bill played it for a few short moments and was impressed by the sound that came out of it. He said it was much louder and had a very clean sound and felt that Marco's soul was still in the horn and was coming out in the sound.

While in Cole's shop there were many photos of the many musicians who have used his services over the decades. There was a photo of Marco and William Parker, of Bill Dixon and Cecil Taylor and many others. Bill told me that there had been a very long connection between his and the musicians from the Black Music Division at Bennington College starting when he was only 19 years old and just starting off his business back when none of the local schools or other shops wanted to hire him due to his age. It is incredible that Cole's Woodwind Shop is still around after all these decades, and I am really glad to have been able to have the horn personally overhauled by Bill, to Marco's specifications. I'm unsure of what the correct words are to describe this feeling but I'm so glad it was him and not some random know-nothing clown.

If you are ever in need of having your woodwind or brass instrument serviced check them out: https://coleswoodwind.com/index.html

It deeply saddens and pains me to say that I will be selling this horn soon; but I hope that it will go to someone who will enjoy playing it and hear Marco's soul in the brass first hand. If you are seriously interested, please contact me directly. It is my intention to use a portion of the proceeds to fund future re-releases and previously unreleased music on Botticelli Records.

Nicco Eneidi