Local saxophonist Barbara Wint, affectionately known as “The Saxgurl”, has enchanted audiences with her melodious saxophone tunes and unwavering dedication to her craft while on a path to shine on the world stage.

Wint’s journey in music began in church where she grew up singing, and as part of speech clubs at the George Headley Primary School. She matriculated into the Holy Childhood High School, where she joined the choir and then formally learned how to play the recorder.

“After church on Sundays, I used to actually use a comb and plastic bag together to blow hymns from church,” said Wint. “Subsequently I learned to play the recorder and then eventually became a member of the school’s Steel Band.”

She fell in love with the saxophone when she joined a brass band at school under the leadership of Staff Sergeant Oscar Robinson of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). “I started out on the flute, but I was switched to the saxophone due to the difficulty I was having and once I did, I have never looked back. The sax became an extension of my soul and who I am,” said Wint.

“Early on, I started listening to a lot of Kenny G’s music and I kept trying to imitate him. One of my main mentors was Jamaican saxophonist Nicholas Laraque; I’ve also taken inspiration from Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Grover Washington Jr., and international women saxophonists such as Yolanda Brown, Jeanette Harris, and Candy Dulfer,” she added.

Despite playing an instrument mostly played by males while also being a member of the male-dominated Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Military Band for the past 19 years, Wint has risen to the challenge and says it does not deter her. Her style predominantly embraces the smooth jazz genre, and she aspires to interpret the skills and improvisations of her mentors while adding her unique personal touch.

Wint, her biggest critic and a firm believer in presenting her best self on stage, shared, “I sleep with my saxophone at the base of my head right beside my bed. The saxophone chose me and it speaks for me. It rescued me from a life of hopelessness. My personal saying is ‘I will blow until my last breath’.”

Navigating her way through a space that often overlooks women saxophonists, Wint mentioned that most of her engagements come from churches and engagements with corporate Jamaica.

“I aim to leave a good and lasting impression on every audience I perform for,” she expressed, citing her memorable performance at the 2017 Tourism Excellence Awards at the Montego Bay Convention Centre as one of the highlights of her musical journey. “That night I felt as if I was on top of the world.”

Her preferred genres include gospel and classic ballads that seamlessly blend with smooth jazz. Currently, she is working on recording a gospel single in the style of Jamaican ‘Old Time’ Gospel songs, inspired by her performance at the Sterling Gospel Awards in 2022. In addition, Wint is in the pursuit of completing her album titled, A New Dawn.

Wint balances her life as a member of the Jamaica Military Band, intertwined with music, performing at band concerts, civic and diplomatic functions, and parades with her household responsibilities and her role as a mother of three children.

Her long-term goals include establishing a meaningful career in the music industry, enrolling in music school for formal training, and becoming an influence and motivational speaker for women. She also envisions promoting her brand with memorabilia and ultimately becoming a full-time recording artiste.