Q. What inspired you to first pick up the saxophone and what were your first attempts at playing it?

A. My brother started playing guitar and I was envious and wanted to play an instrument too. I sounded like a goose in heat (like all beginning sax players).

Q. Did you take lessons or are you self-taught?

A. I took lessons as a young man.

Q. What is your practice regimen like?

A. I don't practice and never really did very much, I play it on the gig.

Q. How would you define your style of playing?

A. I play with a free style, but still within the constraints of modern music.

Q. What can we expect from your debut CD release, "Bryan Lopes Trio Volume 1"?

A. A snippet from a moment in time that was quite fun to make.

Q. Tell us about the musicians that appear on your Bryan Lopes Trio Volume 1?

A. Both guys are great musicians. I consider Neil Fountain my evil side kick.

Q. Lets talk about your creative process. How do you approach writing an original song - do you compose from the saxophone or the piano?

A. I compose in my head and refine it on the saxophone. I also leave things open for interpretation from my fellow musicians.

Q. What challenges do you face when switching from different styles of music?

A. I don't always like some of the styles that I sometimes have to play.

Q. What other types of music or artists do you derive inspiration from?

A. I honestly listen to just about everything. It just has to be well done and honest.

Q. What's the most important bit of advice you were given by another musician?

A. Try to din an individual voice and screw what everybody says about you.

Q. What's been your proudest playing moment?

A. Playing the Berlin Jazz Fest with MegaPhone Man. This recording will be available as an Emusic.com exclusive later this fall.

Q. What's the biggest disaster you've ever had on stage, and how did you cope with it?

A. No disasters yet.

Q. Do you warm up before a concert and if so how?

A. Not really, maybe switch reeds if I'm not feeling it.

Q. What's the most important bit of advice you could give to new saxophone players?

A. Pretty much the same as what was told to me; try to be relevant.

Q. Thanks for your time and consideration for this article and interview. Any last thoughts for our readers?

A. Yeah, I'm way better live!