Meet John Sabin: The George Street Sax Man
He’s been playing the saxophone for half a century
If you’ve walked down George Street, you’ve probably heard his music and even unknowingly walked to the rhythm.
Many know him as “that guy who, like, always plays the sax,” but who is he really?
The Tab met up with Sax Man at his usual spot on George Street and got to know the man behind the saxophone, John Sabin. And to no surprise, he’s a pretty cool dude.
John has been playing saxophone on the street for 30 years, but he has only been in New Brunswick for around eight months. He says it’s one of the best places he’s played in.
“I’ve played at other colleges and Rutgers is very hip. Everyone is lovely and wonderful. It’s the best, it’s great. Everything is right about it. It could have less zoning things though.”
The 60-year-old professional musician from West Patterson, New Jersey, stays in a hotel with his wife and children, where he has access to the internet.
“We’re blessed because in the hotel they have laptops. We get the groove on a lot of computer stuff.”
If you bring up anything in the realm of politics, John’s news junkie side is quick to reveal itself. He’s prepared to debate with the best of them.
“I listen to a lot of radio, talk radio and Laura Ingraham. CNN too. Don’t read the newspaper ’cause I don’t have time.”
Although he is a conservative, John was quick to admit he still checks out other stations…”to see how warped they are.”
The car Sabin and his wife bought three years ago after finding out they’d be homeless again
His sense of humor and openness have allowed him to meet an extraordinary amount of students, New Brunswick folk and passersby-alike.
John plays on the street every day, as he must reach a two-hour playing time minimum. He observes everything and everyone, and is always conscious of those who pass by him.
“I meet people and that leads to other work. I give a good ol’ shalom to Jewish students and I can point out all the professor schmucks too – God bless them.”
Sabin has also met many people from Rutgers’ Music department. The department has already invited John to multiple recitals. He has yet to attend on account of transportation issues, but he hopes to play with them in the future.
Still, John is content with his current activity, which he finds beneficial for everyone. Doing what he loves not only serves his financial needs, but brings “flavor” to other people’s days.
“I like to just go with the flow. I do have categories though – religious, patriotic, silly stuff. I have other skills too, like cooking, but I can’t stand on my legs for long enough time to do them.”
Recently, John was faced with kidney failure, and he couldn’t stop the muscles in his legs from deteriorating while on the medication.
John is most concerned with further refining his saxophone skills, which he’s been working on for 52 years.
“I gotta keep the chops up,” he repeated over and over.
At the end of our conversation, John mentioned he had a saxophone gig later that day to prepare for.
“I’ll be blowing my head off tonight.”