World Jazz Festival: Saxophonist Pacharee Sa-nguanprasert (Pang) Talks About Her India Debut And Musical Journey

Banyan Tree’s World Jazz Festival is back for its 5th Edition, this time visiting 5 cities in India, bringing in a fusion of jazz influences from Brazil, Thailand, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy and South Africa, where borders blur and jazz takes over.

Pacharee Sa-nguanprasert (Pang) is a female saxophonist who is all set to make her debut in India. Pang, as she is referred to, promises to give audiences an insane performance. Thailand’s sax queen started to learn saxophone when she was 14 years old in a secondary school band. Pang participated in international saxophone contests before she could even attain the age of 20 and has taken the saxophone from Thailand to the world. In 2014, along with her friend, Kwang, she formed the duo “SaXPackGirl”. Saxpackgirl has been doing cover songs through their YouTube and Facebook fan page named ‘Saxpackgirl’.

In 2019 and 2023, she was invited as an ‘exceptional talent’ to perform at the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival in The Netherlands. In 2024, she became a member of World Jazz Network with more than 40 members from all around the world. She is the brand ambassador for many leading musical instrument manufacturers including P. Mauriat saxophone and Jody Jazz mouthpiece.

Known for her smooth tone and technical brilliance, the very talented Pang, is all set to bring her magic to Mumbai this weekend.

In an interview with The Free Press Journal, Pacharee Sa-nguanprasert (Pang) discusses her career and what Mumbai audiences can expect from her performance at the Banyan Tree World Jazz Festival on Saturday, 12th April 2025, at St. Andrews Auditorium, Bandra

Excerpts from the interview

This is your first visit to India. How excited are you to perform at the World Jazz Festival?

I am truly excited. The World Jazz Festival brings together international musicians from all around the world. Moreover, the network connects musicians through their performances, creating a fresh and unique experience for audiences, like music that is baked fresh. As someone who has always enjoyed Indian cuisine and culture, I sincerely hope to experience jazz music infused with the rich artistic essence of Indian traditions.

How did this tour to India for the World Jazz Festival by Banyan Tree happen?

I had the opportunity to perform at the Amersfoort World Jazz Festival in 2023. I was fortunate to meet festival directors from various countries, including Mahesh Babu (Director of Banyan Tree Events). This year I was invited to play in India and without hesitation, I replied, “Yes, why not?” That is why I am honored to be part of this year’s lineup of musicians.

What can audiences expect at your concert at the World Jazz Festival?

Audiences can get an opportunity to hear my original songs, specifically two of them. My compositions are primarily in a fusion and funky style. However, I am truly excited to perform along with the horn section arrangement by Rolf Delfos.

Tell us something about how you learnt the saxophone?

When I was young, I joined the marching band in secondary school as a regular student and later pursued classical music in University. Thai saxophonists are fortunate to have an inspiring role model like Koh Mr. Saxman. He introduced a unique style and sound that showcased the versatility of the saxophone, opening the eyes of many musicians. In my early years, I also had the opportunity to learn piano and violin, though I did not excel in them.

What initially drew you to the saxophone, and what is it that keeps you playing the saxophone? 

When I was young, I didn’t know which instrument I wanted to play. I simply wanted to join the school marching band and play music. Then, the instructor chose me to play the saxophone. The reason I continue to play the saxophone is that I have a dream. I want to perform my music all around the world and share my songs with people. Another big dream of mine is to bring the Jazz Festival back to Bangkok after it has been absent for 18 years, so that people can enjoy Jazz music more.

Hailing from Thailand, how did your upbringing and surroundings influence your sound?

As mentioned in my previous response, Koh Mr. Saxman is an excellent role model for all Thai saxophonists. Approximately 70-80% of Thai saxophonists, including myself, have been inspired by him and tend to adopt a funky fusion style in their playing. Given Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and distinctive musical melodies, Erika’s Smile, a track from the SaXPacKGirl album, incorporates traditional Thai melodic elements. This reflects the essence of the well-known phrase, “Thailand, Land of Smiles.”

In 2014, you formed a group with your partner “Kwang” called “SaXPackGirl”. Tell us something about this setup and what you both do and why your partner isn’t joining you on this trip?

SaXPackGirl is a concept inspired by the term “backpack,” but instead of a backpack, we, as saxophonists, carry our saxophones on our backs and play music everywhere. This is how SaXPackGirl came to be. Under the name SaXPackGirl, we focus on music covers, online saxophone lessons, workshops, and occasionally perform concerts together. We released our mini album in 2015 and our full album in 2016, titled ‘Dream a Night Like This’. The reason Kwang cannot join this time is because she has a baby girl and needs to spend time with her daughter during her first three years.

What kind of saxophones do you use and how do they influence the musical results – and possibly even your own performance?

I primarily play the Alto Saxophone and occasionally the Soprano Saxophone. I typically use the Alto Saxophone for fusion, funk, pop, and jazz styles, while I use the Soprano Saxophone for smooth and ballad styles. I play various genres of music, with a primary focus on Fusion Jazz and Funky music.

What are some of the challenges you've faced as a saxophonist, and how have you overcome them? 

Over the past 10 years, the biggest challenge I have faced as a female saxophonist has been credibility. In Thailand, the older generation perceives the saxophone as a male instrument and often doubts that a woman can play it well. My approach has been simple: be yourself, stay on your path, and follow your dreams.

Why are there few women saxophonists, especially the ones who play professionally? Your thoughts on this.

The saxophone has traditionally been seen as a “masculine” instrument, while instruments like the flute or violin were considered more “feminine.” This influenced which instruments young musicians were encouraged to play. Many gigs and mentorship opportunities happen through informal circles that can be harder for women to break into. Bias in hiring and auditions is another challenge. Things are changing. More female saxophonists are emerging, and efforts to encourage gender diversity in music are growing.

Any advice for female jazz musicians who want to take up the saxophone?

Male and female saxophonists are equal. While there may be some physical differences, they should not be a concern. The most important thing is to stay true to yourself and remain dedicated to what you love. Set your goals and strive to achieve your dreams.

What are your future plans as a musician?

I am currently working on my solo album, which I expect to complete by the end of this year. Additionally, I aspire to embark on an international tour. As a senior figure in the saxophone community for the next generation, I am committed to supporting and promoting talented Thai musicians, helping them gain recognition and opportunities on an international level. I also aim to revive the jazz festival in Bangkok after its long absence and establish the city as a leading hub for jazz music in Asia.

What are some of your favorite saxophone pieces or artists to listen to? 

My favorite saxophone piece is Steppin’ Up which is my original song and my favorite artists are Candy Dulfer and Dave Koz. I don’t have a specific set of pieces that I listen or play to regularly. My music preferences vary depending on the period and what I enjoy at a given time. However, my taste in music is quite diverse, ranging across genres such as Jazz, Pop, Alternative, Korean and Rock.

Are there any female saxophonists who have inspired you as a child and who inspires you now? 

Kaori Kobayashi, a Japanese female saxophonist, was my inspiration during my secondary and high school years. Since university, Candy Dulfer has been the female saxophonist who continues to inspire me to this day.

Going through your major achievements still relatively early in your career, what are some of your career goals as a saxophonist?

My career aspirations as a saxophonist take many forms. First and foremost, I strive to become an international saxophonist, traveling the world with my instrument and performing my own music globally. Additionally, I hope to serve as an inspiration for female saxophonists. Another dream of mine is to bring talented and high-quality musicians to perform at festivals in Thailand. However, I do not want it to be just about performances, I also want to include workshops for those who are interested in learning. Through my connections, I aspire to contribute to the development of the jazz music scene in Thailand and help it grow.