At President Clinton's Inauguration, Arkansas Ball, Bill Plays Saxophone; Jan. 1993

A recording from President Bill Clinton's January 1993 inauguration festivities at the Arkansas Ball, featuring Clinton playing tenor saxophone alongside alto saxophonist Everette Harp. The tune, a blues in B-flat at around 145-148 BPM composed by Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, is given a rock-inflected feel. Harp takes a one-chorus alto saxophone solo before Clinton enters for his own two-chorus turn. Harp, a professional smooth jazz and R&B saxophonist, provides a contrast as the skilled sideman supporting the president's moment in the spotlight. The inaugural ball performance represented one of Clinton's most high-profile saxophone appearances, following the campaign trail performances that had made his musicianship a talking point. The rock blues format suited the celebratory atmosphere of the occasion. This recording documents a singular moment in American cultural history where the intersection of politics and music was embodied literally by the Commander-in-Chief picking up a horn and sitting in.