Billy Tolles was born in Waukegan, Illinois.  After moving to Seattle at age 5, he started playing the saxophone at age 13, and in a short period of time became proficient enough to earn his way through college with his music. He schooled at A & T in Greensboro, NC, and received a B.S. in biomedical science, but after graduation and a movie to Boston, he began taking courses at the Schillinger School of Music (later Berklee College of Music) where he met Art Blakey.

During his time in Boston, Billy Eckstine started a big band with Dizzy Gillespie which included well known players like Miles Davis and Gene Ammons.  At Boston’s Tic Toc Club, an illness left a vacancy in that band and Art Blakey encouraged Billy to take the chair.  Later, Billy entered Columbia University in New York to begin his Master’s Degree and got into the jazz scene on New York’s legendary 52nd Street.

Billy traveled the world and played with great names like Billy Eckstine, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Billy Holiday and Harry Connick, Jr.

After a short stint with the Army, Billie returned to Seattle where  he hosted his own TV show, “The Billy Tolles Rock and Roll Show”.  After that he established his own band and performed in Las Vegas at a number of clubs including The Desert Inn.

Traveling and performing with other bands, after his time in Vegas, he stopped over in Denver to visit an army buddy he had worked with both in Las Vegas and on the West Coast.  He fell in love with Denver and in 1966 he moved there to work at the Cleft Club and later at El Chapultepec.  

From then on, Billy became a staple of the Denver Jazz Scene and also worked with kids in the public schools doing concerts and Jazz History Classes.  While working at the BBC Club in the early 70’s, Billy met his wife, Brandee Woods, who said Billy was “very talented and a gentleman from the old school”.  They were together up until his death in 2005.

Billy was loved and respected by musicians all over the world and we are pleased to be able to offer his 1969 Selmer Mark VI tenor, original lacquer (owned by Pete Christlieb prior to being purchased by Billy).  This is your chance to own a piece of Jazz History and continue creating music with one of two tenors owned and played by Jazz Great, Billy Tolles.

Sax Alley price will include our $240 "Disassemble, Clean and Adjust" and other work required to make it play as well as possible.

Early, 5 digit, Mark VI that appears to be a re-lacquer, but it was done very well. It was brought to me by the son of the original owner.  The original owner's wife didn't remember him ever having the instrument re-lacquered, but there are very delicate signs that it was done at some point although done in the appropriate color with VERY strong engraving overall. 

There is a pick-up in the neck, indicated by the photo, but these can be sealed off well or redone if you are interested.  The neck has absolutely no pull down and is in very good condition. 

This is THE era of Mark VI tenor that everyone wants because of it's big, warm sound quality!

Comes with a Pro Tec style contoured case.  We will do our $120 Sax Alley "Complete Adjustment" and replace any bad pads on this one, before it goes out the door, as well as any work we think necessary to make it play as well as possible.

Top of the line Selmer Paris tenor that is based on the early Mark VI. This one is in nearly new condition with only a few very minor scratches around the strap hook, otherwise perfect.  Very centered and focused sound quality.  Bore is slightly larger on the 36 for those players who have the "stuff" to fill it.   Finish is gold lacquer with engraving.

Selmer has long been know for it's exceptional quality of sound, intonation and construction and these new models are no exception.  The current model Selmer saxophone are actually more even in response from top to bottom than the previous models and have better overall intonation as well.  We are including a new Pro Tec Contoured Tenor Case with this instrument so the case will look as nice as the tenor.

Why not save your money, around $1800 over the price of new!!!

The Sax Alley price on this tenor includes our $130 "Complete Adjustment" so it will play BETTER than any new Selmer out of the box.  If you select the option, we will do our extensive $350 "New Horn Set Up" for only $300!!

Top of the line Selmer Paris tenor that is based on the Mark VI (Model 74). Very centered and focused sound quality that is warmer and darker than the other tenors they currently manufacture. Finish is "Vintage Matte' with no engraving.

Selmer has long been know for it's exceptional quality of sound, intonation and construction and these new models are no exception.  The current model Selmer saxophone are actually more even in response from top to bottom than the previous models and have better overall intonation as well.

Don't buy a new Selmer from another dealer who will do no more than ship it to you.  Without the extensive set up required on these models, they won't play as well as they can and you will be left with an instrument that won't work well for you.

The Sax Alley price on this alto includes our extensive $300 "New Horn Set Up" and FREE SHIPPING.

Selmer Series II Professional Model Tenor.   Lacquer has been stripped off the body which makes this tenor more resonant.  Mechanical condition is very good since it was played by a professional player for years. 

It comes with a Pro Tec Contoured Tenor case. 

Our price on on this model new would be well over $5000, so you're getting this one for nearly half the price of new! 

The Sax Alley price will include our $120 "Complete Adjustment".

Selmer Series III Professional Model Tenor in heavy black lacquer (Model 64B).   The Series III has improved ergonomics and a prettier "ring" to the sound quality than the Series II.  The black lacquer makes the sound quality of this model warmer and darker than the lacquered version. 

Selmer has long been know for it's exceptional quality of sound, intonation and construction and these new models are no exception.  The current model Selmer saxophone are actually more even in response from top to bottom than the previous models and have better overall intonation as well.

Don't buy a new Selmer from another dealer who will do no more than ship it to you.  Without the extensive set up required on these models, they won't play as well as they can and you will be left with an instrument that won't work well for you.

The Sax Alley price on this alto includes our extensive $300 "New Horn Set Up" and FREE SHIPPING.

Selmer Series III Professional Model Tenor in standard, silver plate (Model 64JS).   The Series III has improved ergonomics and a prettier "ring" to the sound quality than the Series II.  The Silver-Plate gives this alto a clean clarity to the sound and it adds depth and body that you won't get with the standard lacquered model.  I have long been a fan of silver-plating, especially in newer instruments for the special sonic element that the plating adds. 

Selmer has long been know for it's exceptional quality of sound, intonation and construction and these new models are no exception.  The current model Selmer saxophone are actually more even in response from top to bottom than the previous models and have better overall intonation as well.

Don't buy a new Selmer from another dealer who will do no more than ship it to you.  Without the extensive set up required on these models, they won't play as well as they can and you will be left with an instrument that won't work well for you.

The Sax Alley price on this alto includes our extensive $300 "New Horn Set Up" and FREE SHIPPING.