Saxophonist James Rinalducci wails his tunes down on River Street and in the squares of Savannah, Georgia.

After visiting Savannah for the annual Jazz Festival, James fell in love with the city and quit the restaurant business in which he worked for 25 years to make it as a musician. James promptly moved to Savannah, where he moved in with his sister, her husband, kids and their pit-bull, Castle. Interestingly, James lives in a tent in his sister’s backyard, rather than indoors. This works for James, as he says his sister’s children can be quite rowdy early in the morning, and would wake him up if he were to stay inside.

James began playing the saxophone at age 12 and stopped at age 14, when he got switched over to the tuba by his high school band director. He didn't pick up the instrument again until age 35 and hopes to never stop playing again. James plays a Conn 1928 Gold Lacquered Portrait Lady that he has fondly christened “Gilda,” after the 1946 movie starring Rita Hayworth.

James is exponentially expanding his musical repertoire, learning new tunes every week. Alongside playing tunes and improvising, he composes music based on conversations he hears and transfers their tonality into music. His conversational compositions possess a unique, flowing sound that can have short, abrupt notes alongside drawn out tones, like phrases and exclamations in conversation.

Every day, after playing in the morning, James frequents various cafés around the city to refuel and update his journal. In this journal James records his day, his earnings, people he meets and tunes he has learned or wants to learn. It is also a to-do list, the success of which varies.

After coffee, James plays until the evening then returns home and practices, composes and relaxes after a long day of playing on the street.

If ever you find yourself on River Street, in Chippewa or Reynold’s Square, keep an eye and an ear out for James and Gilda. He tells me he plays in Reynold’s Square because he can see his ultimate performing destination – the Lucas Theatre, so keep an eye out for him there too.