The world of K-pop is seeing a special moment of recognition. BTS member V (Kim Taehyung) received high praise from a Grammy-winning saxophone player. Jacob Scesney, who has worked with huge stars like Maroon 5 and John Legend, spoke highly about V’s talent on the saxophone.
This praise did not come from a planned event. It happened after a fan shared an old video online. The video shows V playing the saxophone during a live band session in 2023. Scesney, who was on stage with V that day, saw the clip and decided to share his honest thoughts about what happened behind the scenes.
The 2023 Tiny Desk Korea Performance That Started Everything
The story goes back to September 2023. V appeared on the “Tiny Desk Korea” show to promote his first solo album, “Layover”. For this performance, he brought together a live band. Jacob Scesney played the saxophone and flute for V’s set.
The band played songs like “Love Me Again” and “Slow Dancing.” The session had a relaxed, friendly feel. Everything was professional and well-rehearsed. But the most talked about moment happened after the official recording ended.
V picked up Scesney’s saxophone. Without any practice or plan, he started to play. The band quickly joined in, creating a smooth, natural jam session. This short moment was caught on video. It recently started spreading online again, which led to Scesney’s new comments.
What Jacob Scesney Said About V’s Playing
Jacob Scesney did not hold back his respect for V. He explained that his personal saxophone is not an easy instrument to play. It requires strong breath control and good jaw strength. Many skilled players struggle with it.
But V handled it very well. Scesney said V played “really beautifully”. He was impressed that V did this without any warm-up or preparation.
“My saxophone is set up in a way that is not easy to play. It requires a lot of lung power and jaw pressure. Yet, he played it surprisingly well!” – Jacob Scesney
Scesney also talked about V’s manners. He said V politely asked for permission before touching the instrument. He described the whole thing as a “really cool moment”. He added that fans can see him smiling in the background of the video because he was so happy with what was happening.
A Grammy Winner Respecting Genuine Skill
Jacob Scesney is not a random commentator. He is a well-respected musician. He has won Grammy Awards and a Golden Globe for his work. He has played on more than 50 hit songs for top artists.
When someone of his level gives praise, it carries weight. Scesney worked closely with V during the “Layover” album sessions. He even changed his Instagram profile to “Tae-Band Musician” after working with V. He also posted a picture of V with a funny caption saying V could play his saxophone anytime.
This shows that the respect between the two artists is real. It is not just fans hyping up their favorite star. It is a master musician recognizing another artist’s natural talent.
Fans React to the Professional Recognition
The news made many BTS fans (ARMY) very happy. Social media lit up with discussions about the video and Scesney’s comments. Fans pointed out that V learned to play the saxophone in middle school. He studied it for about four years before becoming a trainee.
Many fans felt proud that a western industry expert gave such honest praise. They shared the clips widely, celebrating V’s musical skills beyond just singing.
One fan wrote that V’s ability to pick up a difficult instrument and play it naturally after years of not performing publicly shows his true talent. Others thanked Scesney for sharing the behind-the-scenes story.
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The Technical Details of V’s Saxophone Moment
Why is this such a big deal? Playing the saxophone is physically hard. It requires the right mouth shape (embouchure) and strong lungs. A professional’s saxophone is often adjusted to be tighter and harder to blow. This gives the expert more control, but it makes it very hard for a beginner or casual player.
Scesney confirmed that his saxophone has this “difficult” setup. Yet, V made it look easy. He played a short but correct melody. The band followed his lead right away. This proves that V has a strong musical ear and the physical skill to back it up.
The “Tiny Desk” band members, including Blake Straus on guitar and Destin Johnson on drums, also seemed to enjoy the moment. They did not look confused. They looked happy to join the unplanned song.
V finished his mandatory military service in June 2025. He has since returned to his career. While he has not announced a new solo album yet, moments like this keep him in the spotlight. It reminds everyone that he is not just a visual star, but a trained musician with real depth.
For more stories about K-pop stars and their musical achievements, keep reading VvipTimes. We bring you the facts behind the headlines.
