High notes for High Hopes

Young Chang

Eric Marienthal’s saxophone is so rusted, stiff in the keys and just

plain old that you wonder how the artfully-aged horn could eke out a

single note.

But even thieves know better than to judge a saxophone by its cover.

Alto saxophonist David Sanborn reportedly had one almost exactly the

same. Burglars broke into his house one night and from the hundreds of

saxophones that lay nestled in Sanborn’s home, they stole the one rare

Selmer made of metal bomb cases from World War II, according to

Marienthal.

“Out of all the instruments I’ve ever played, this is the one I feel

most at home with,” he said. “And I prefer knowing that it’s gonna sound

and feel right over the looks of it.”

Marienthal, who will perform at the Hyatt Newporter Sunday with Phil

Perry and Vesta Williams in a concert benefiting High Hopes Head Injury

recovery center, compares the sound of his saxophone with the human

voice.

“People are intrigued by the sax for that very reason,” the smooth

jazz artist said. “And the way you can play a sax can be very, very

different. You can emulate the stylings of a singer.”

One of Marienthal’s favorite singers is Stevie Wonder. And it’s

apparent in the way he blows his horn.

From the showpiece instrument, Marienthal produces a sound that is as

nostalgic of olden days as are Wonder’s hits when heard on a rainy day.

The wailings are emotional, the life in Marienthal’s fingers strong.

The Costa Mesa resident chose the sax as a 10-year-old because he

liked the way it looked. He practiced, started other woodwind instruments

including the flute and clarinet, and eventually joined bands at Corona

del Mar High School before attending Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Marienthal has played with jazz pianist Chuck Corea, launched a

successful solo recording career and just put out his ninth album.

His Hyatt Newporter engagement to benefit High Hopes is a three-year

tradition.

“It’s one of the most tragic things that can happen, really. For

people who are used to and who know what it’s like to lead a normal life

one minute, and because of an accident or whatever are suddenly

traumatized mentally, is incredibly tragic,” Marienthal said. “So I feel

it’s a real tragedy and a wonderful cause to be involved with.”

His daughter, Katie Marienthal, 14, agrees. She will sing background

vocals for her father’s performance for the third year now, partly

because she is moved by the cause.

“Some are clapping, some are sitting down, some are even helping out

as ushers,” she said. “They’re great people, but one accident ruined

their lives.”

For Marienthal, melding music and charity is also more than just a way

to raise funds.

“People step up for you,” he said. “And how else can we expect people

to step up when we’re the ones in need?”

FYI

WHAT: Eric Marienthal performs to benefit High Hopes Head Injury

recovery center

WHEN: 6 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Hyatt Newporter, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach

COST: $35

CALL: (949) 733-0044