Jerome Sabbagh Interview

French-born tenor saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh has long been a fixture on the New York jazz scene, known for his warm tone, lyrical phrasing, and commitment to musical honesty. A Paris native who moved to the U.S. in the mid-1990s to study at the Berklee College of Music, Sabbagh then moved to New York and quickly immersed himself in the city’s vibrant improvisational community, collaborating with artists like the late Paul Motian. His latest release, Stand Up! (Analog Tone Factory, 2025), featuring guitarist Ben Monder, bassist Joe Martin, and drummer Nasheet Waits. Recorded live to ½-inch analog tape, weaving through original compositions that blend post-bop sophistication with subtle touches of blues, rock, and modal jazz. Each piece is dedicated to a musical influence—from Ray Charles to Stevie Wonder to Trent Reznor (NIN)—showcasing Sabbagh’s wide-ranging curiosity and respect for the jazz and rock lineage. The title Stand Up! reflects both artistic conviction and a quiet social statement against the current political climate, reaffirming Sabbagh’s belief in integrity, collaboration, and the power of real-time, analog musicianship in an increasingly digital world.