Wenzl Is The Amazing Traffic Cone Sax Man On Social Media

Robert White: Editor-In-Chief

In a world where music is constantly evolving, few artists have managed to blend the traditional with the contemporary as seamlessly as Wenzl, a saxophonist whose unique style and innovative approach to music have made him a sensation on social media. From his humble beginnings as a young boy in Europe to his rise as a viral phenomenon, Wenzl's journey is as inspiring as it is unconventional.

Born into an artistic family, Wenzl spent his childhood moving across Germany, Austria, Portugal, France, and Spain, a life shaped by his mother's career as a traveling visual artist. This nomadic upbringing exposed him to various cultures and languages, enriching his artistic sensibilities from a young age. However, it wasn't until the death of his grandfather that Wenzl's musical journey truly began. Inheriting his grandfather's saxophone at the tender age of eight, Wenzl discovered a profound connection with the instrument, finding solace in its sound during the emotional turbulence of his teenage years. As he recalls, "When I was going through something emotional in my life and I would play the saxophone, I would feel instantly better. It kinda became a tool for me to cope with puberty and just all the volatile emotions that teenagers go through."

Wenzl's early musical endeavors were rooted in jazz, and by 18, he had moved to New York City, fully immersed in the world of jazz. Yet, his artistic curiosity led him to explore electronic music, blending it with his jazz background to create a sound that was both innovative and captivating. This experimentation culminated in the formation of his band, Moon Hooch, a group that would go on to tour extensively, performing over 3,000 shows and leaving an indelible mark on the music scene. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, "I thought I was going to be a jazz musician for the rest of my life, but then I got more interested in electronic music. I started producing electronic music when I was about 19 or 20, and that’s when things really started to change."

However, Wenzl's creative evolution didn't stop there. His intellectual curiosity drove him to explore mysticism and spiritual growth, leading to the publication of four books on the subject. But just as his literary career was taking off, a chance encounter with TikTok's algorithm propelled him to new heights of fame. His unconventional use of a traffic cone as a saxophone mute, which added a distinctive bass-heavy sound to his performances, became a viral sensation, captivating millions of viewers across the globe. "Back then, I had very little money, and I wanted to have a lower instrument," Wenzl explained. "I couldn’t afford a bigger saxophone, so I thought I’ll just extend the saxophone with a traffic cone, and it would get lower. And indeed, it worked."

Despite his success, Wenzl remains grounded, viewing his viral fame as both a blessing and a challenge. His experiences on platforms like TikTok and Instagram have taught him the fickle nature of social media fame, where a single viral video can be followed by weeks of relative obscurity. "TikTok is more like a really toxic relationship," Wenzl remarked. "It’s really great and then really bad. I’ve had enormously viral months and then enormously unviral ones. Instagram feels more consistent, and YouTube, I really like because it generates a lot of money and the community feels more stable."

Now, Wenzl continues to push the boundaries of his craft, delving into the world of DJing and live electronic performances, where he combines his saxophone prowess with the energy of the crowd to create an electrifying experience. "I’m really going heavily into DJing right now," he said. "I’ve been producing music for close to 20 years, but now I’m producing tracks for my DJ equipment. It’s more about mastering the tools you have and really working with the crowd’s energy."

Wenzl's journey is a testament to the power of creativity and resilience. From jazz clubs in New York to the viral realms of TikTok, he has continually reinvented himself, staying true to his artistic roots while embracing the possibilities of modern technology. As he sets his sights on performing at major festivals like EDC and Tomorrowland, there's no doubt that Wenzl is just getting started on his path to redefining what it means to be a musician in the digital age.

Listen to the full interview with Wenzl on the Savoir Faire Audio Experience.