This article in various forms has been posted this week at different sites and forums. This particular version is the best I have seen yet:

By KENNETH CHANG, February 12, 2008

"The saxophone, invented by Adolphe Sax, the Belgian instrument maker, and patented in 1846, is a curved tube of brass with holes. Its vibrations can reach high-pitched wailing notes, particularly when played by jazz musicians like John Coltrane.

The vocal tract, including the mouth and upper throat, is another vibrating tube, and for some years, scientists and musicians have wondered how important the one is to the other."

Read more …

The high notes also known as altissimo require the ability to voice the note and alternative fingerings. Maybe the definition of a professional saxophonist would not be just whether you get paid for gigs, but rather whether you can hit altissimo notes? I’m starting to feel that for a saxophonist to advance you must have the opinion that nothing is impossible on the instrument.

Some of my favorite sax players who can really hit the altissimo’s:

Lenny Pickett
Bert Wilson (Lenny’s private teacher for many years)
Donny Mccasslin
Chris Potter
Chris Speed
Rick Margitza
Joshua Redman

For a graphic example check out YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaBGW3CaQR0 where Marc Russo was playing up there with excellent control…check out 3.56 and 4.41..

The article goes on to say that they are now testing clarinets. Ah, the science of music.