Its magical notes conjure images of a smoky nightclub scene; haunting melodies wafting over a relaxed audience. And this weekend, aficionados have got their fill from saxophonist Kenny G’s performance at the Taj Land’s End. But if you think a sax performance is limited to international artists and cheesy Bollywood scenes think again. An increasing number of Mumbaikars are abandoning the guitar to pick up the saxophone. Terence Hayden, 23, is one such Mumbaikar.

“When I decided to take up an instrument, I chose the sax over the guitar and the piano," he says. Joseph Gomes of Furtados Music says that there has been a steady rise in the demand for the saxophone. But the instrument doesn't come cheap. Although an Indian-made instrument costs about Rs3,500, the imported ones — which are said to be sweeter sounding — start at Rs17,000. While the price can be discouraging, finding a good saxophone teacher is even more daunting. Gomes worries that there aren't too many teachers who can teach the wind instrument. Terence, who has just started to pick up a few notes, plans to take lessons from You Tube videos.

There is a certain sex appeal to be found in a saxophonist, one that 19-year-old Rhys Dsouza doesn’t deny. “The girls say the sax is ‘hot’,” he laughs. Lack of teachers will not stand in Rhys’s way.Ryan Sadri, saxophonist of the band, Something Relevant, may be a minnow in jazz terms, but he concurs with Rhys’s: Girls simply love the sax. He has no complaints when women rank him way up in the hotness quotient. “Besides, it’s a more satisfying instrument to play. The sound is soul stirring,” he says.

In Mumbai, there are only a handful of talented players like Mickey Correa, Joe Pereira or Jazzy Joe, and Giovanni and Braz Gonsalves, who perform at the Bombay Chamber Orchestra, Blue Frog and the NCPA. So, if you weren't already inspired by Lisa Simpson and Kenny G, go to a smoky club and sit for a performance as the masters play. They just might convince you to get your own golden beauty.