There have been many classic moments on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, but Jack Black playing his legendary Sax-A-Boom is up there with the greatest hits. The rock ‘n’ roll comedian is known for playing the plastic children’s toy at live shows, and Fallon had the genius idea of asking him for a taste on The Tonight Show.
Black then let out a flurry of hilarious comments, saying that people confuse the saxophone and Sax-A-Boom, but that “a Sax-A-Boom is its own kind of instrument that takes years to master.” Once Fallon revealed he had a Sax-A-Boom on the set, Black took it with reverence and declared, “Here it is, rare as a Stradivarius. Yes, I will give you a taste.” The audience was indeed in for a treat. As you can see below, the rest of the performance is a master class in comedic timing.
Black began jamming on the Sax-A-Boom, which played a series of pre-recorded sax melodies that are triggered by buttons on the front. The comedian, however, gave the performance an air as if he was a virtuoso working on an instrument of fine craftsmanship. His physical comedy, moving his eyebrows in rhythm with the beat and dancing, was completely on point. He quickly got the entire audience cheering and clapping along.
Black wasn’t finished yet, however, and he then walked over to the house band, The Roots. Bandleader and drummer Questlove understood the assignment, leading the band into a funky groove while Black and Fallon danced along. The jam is now a certified classic moment on The Tonight Show, having attracted 95 million views, making it the seventh-most popular video on the entire YouTube channel. Another great Jack Black moment on late-night TV was when he had a guitar battle with Conan O’Brien.
Black, while on tour with his band Tenacious D, has played the Sax-A-Boom at many of their shows. The now-discontinued toy was sold by DSI Toys, and although it has Kawasaki printed on the side, it has no connection with the Japanese multinational Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Black’s use of the Sax-A-Boom has made it a sought-after collector’s item. The toy was initially sold at a retail price of $20 in the late 1990s, although it’s common to see people listing them on online auction sites for $50 or even $100 or more in some cases.
Enjoy more hilarious moments from Jack Black by subscribing to his YouTube Channel or follow him on Instagram. From showcasing his legendary Sax-A-Boom skills to delivering a master class in comedic timing, Jack Black never fails to entertain.