116: When Music Becomes Medicine: Quintin’s Story

On this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I sit down with the legendary Quintin Gerard W., also known as The Fnkysax Player. Quintin is more than a saxophonist — he’s a creative force who blends funk, gospel, blues, and jazz into a powerful urban contemporary sound that speaks to both heart and culture.

From playing sax since the age of eight to co-writing with jazz greats like James Lloyd of Pieces of a Dream, Quintin shares how his music has become a channel for storytelling, healing, and legacy building. He opens up about being a proud father to guitarist Lemek Izrael, his role on the Dave Koz cruise, and how his music is being used in medical studies to support epilepsy treatment.

We dive into his creative process — starting with melodies, building harmonies, and always anchoring each song in meaningful experience. We also reflect on his journey through Loyola under the mentorship of Ellis Marsalis, and the defining moment he asked himself whether he chose music or music chose him.

This episode is packed with inspiration, wisdom, and a groove you don’t want to miss.

Connect with Q: https://www.quintingerardw.com/