You can’t be a fan of the musical saw and not be familiar with marvelous Natalia Paruz, the “Saw Lady.” She lives in New York and plays saw in subways, orchestras, and on radio, television, and movies. Chances are, if you hear the saw in a commercial, it’s Natalia Paruz! In addition to the saw, she plays handbells, theremin, cowbells, and glass harp. She has a website full of information about the saw, history, types of saws, collectibles, and even saw poetry. She also has many helpful how-to videos on YouTube for those of us who want to develop our saw playing skills. She is generous with her knowledge and tries to promote the musical saw around the world, a sort of musical saw ambassador.

Her newest video is a tribute to the great Leonard Bernstein, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. She met Bernstein when she was a child, and this video is a rendition of part of his work Chichester Psalms. It was written as a choral work, and here Natalia plays the countertenor part at his grave site. Chichester Chimes is a special composition, arranged around some of the most well-known psalms. Natalia included an exquisite saw harmony here. It’s a beautiful tribute to a great composer.

If you are in New York City, stop in at the subway and say hello!