Alto Saxophone Players

[CSK]

I was thinking about maybe looking for a CD so I could listen to a professional play the alto saxophone. I would like to know who would be good for me to listen to. I like slow type music like ballads and I think I would probably like the smooth jazz kind of music ok. I will appreciate any opinions or advice.

Carol Keeton

[Crumit]

There is a thread right now discussing favorite alto players, and I believe there have been similar threads before. If you search for a little bit, you'll uncover a lot of recommendations.

I like Benny Carter's sound on alto. Also Johnny Hodges and Jimmy Dorsey. I like the older sound of twenties and thirties jazz. Judging from your post, it seems that you might enjoy someone like Paul Desmond, who performed (and wrote) Take Five with Dave Brubeck. His work with Gerry Mulligan is my favorite.

Have fun listening around.

[sax1st]

Hi Carol!

Judging from the question I think you might enjoy Nelson Rangell's music and that of Eric Mariethal. Both contemporary stylists in the Sanborn vein with Marienthal displaying better solos for my taste. Obviously David Sanborn would be another choice and maybe Gerald Albright? There are a lot of guys doing the smooth jazz thing so you wont be struggling to find at least a few players that you like.

Good luck!
Alex

[saxchado]

Marienthal and Rangell are definately two winners in the current ranks. Of older saxes, I like Cannonball, Desmond, and Hodges.

don't leave out the classical side of listning, either. Great things about tone to be learned from guys like Rousseau, Tse, and the others.

[goodsax]

I would add Dave Koz in the smooth jazz category. If you include cool progressive jazz from the '50s, don't forget my all time favorite, Paul Desmond.

[gary]

Don't overlook Grover Washington.

[DougR]

Maceo Parker - not only quality rhythmic funk, but also the occasional sweet ballad - class act.

[unready]

yeah, im sure you 'll like maceo. be sure to check out kenny garrett especially his albums 'simply said' and 'happy people' if you like smoother jazz..

[altoist]

CSK,
Interesting question. The alto isn't used as much for ballads as the tenor.

If by smooth jazz you mean the type of modern instrumental R&B played by folks like
Kenny G. and Grover, then of course you have to listen to David Sanborn. His latest
is called Timeagan and has a few slower ballad type pieces on it. Kenny G. and Grover
typically don't play the alto, though both have a few alto pieces, Grover more than Kenny G.
As mentioned above, the smooth jazz altoists are Dave Koz, Eric Marienthal, Mindy Abair, and Candy Dulfer. David Sanborn's influence is heard strongly in this genre, just as Bird's
was in the jazz of the 50s and beyond.

A lot of "modern jazz" fans like Kenny Garrett. I don't. There are a few slower pieces on greg Osby's Inner Circle, but that's weird music, and I'll guess if you're looking for ballads that
you don't want to go there.

I have an album called "A Ballance Of Light" which has Bobby Watson on alto, and has a few slower pieces. As a fellow beginner, let me tell you that for learning, I prefer songs which have lyrics I know. But, listen to Bobby Watson anyways!

Charlie Parker disciple Frank Morgan has a collection of Ballads called "Love, Lost and Found". It's wonderful. Jackie Mclean has one that's goen out of print and is now harder to find.

Benny Carter is wonderful, but most of teh collections you'll find are not slow ballads.

Johnny Hodges should be among your first choices. Passion Flower. Forget speed, if you can sound like Johnny Hodges, people will want to hear you.

Paul Desmond is my favorite saxophonist. If you don't mind live music (I prefer it) I'll suggest "The Paul Desmond Quartet Live" with his Canadian quartet, as most of the songs are ballads. If you prefer studio music then "Pure Desmond" and "Glad To be Unhappy" are
what I'd recommend, the latter being all ballads and it appears as half of the CD on some oldies disc or as an expensive import.

[david044058]

Ok here is the deal, in 2 weeks I am going to all region jazz tryouts. I need to know how to improvise!!! But I don’t know how!! I need to know what notes to use on the following chords, d7 g7 f#mi7 Emi7 A7 B7. I need help asap!! I would really appreciate it if someone would help me… thanks

[saxyclarinet]

Ok here is the deal, in 2 weeks I am going to all region jazz tryouts. I need to know how to improvise!!! But I don’t know how!! I need to know what notes to use on the following chords, d7 g7 f#mi7 Emi7 A7 B7. I need help asap!! I would really appreciate it if someone would help me… thanks

You can't improvise and you have 2 weeks to learn? Good luck, my friend! Now, you can use any note over any chord, but the notes in those chords are...

D7: D F# A C
G7: G B D F
F#m7: F# A C# E
Em7: E G Bb D
A7: A C# E G
B7: B D# F# A

Feel free to correct me if any of those are wrong.

You should know how to construct a chord by its name, at least triads and seven chords. http://www.telacommunications.com/nutshell/music/keyboard.htm This website might help you out.

[gary]

Ok here is the deal, in 2 weeks
OK, here's the deal. Stop spamming. If you want an answer or some help start a new topic, stick to the point and people will help you.

Sticking this same request in several other threads, sometimes when it doesn't really have to do anything to do with the topic is just not very good forum ettiquite. And it sure isn't helping the person who started the thread asking for help from, among others you the reader.

[david044058]

thank you saxycarinet. :D


iam sorry gary, i was just really desprate for some help, tryouts are near and i wanted to paraCTICE RIGHT AWAY. i wont do it again :(

Peace



ALTO SAXOPHONES ARE THE BEST!
ONLY WHEN PEOPLE PLAY THEM RIGHT....

[Pete]

Thanks, gary. Hurling caught most of the posts.

david044058 has been contacted by the Mod Squad.

If anyone is wondering, yes, we have a somewhat rewritten Forum FAQ and rules at http://www.saxontheweb.net/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=148

[Joe Linux]

E-mi7 = E G B D = play notes from the D major scale

E-mi7 flat 5 = E G Bb D

D7: D F# A C = play notes from a G major scale
G7: G B D F = play notes from the C major scale
F#m7: F# A C# E = play notes from the E major scale
Em7: E G Bb D = play F major scale but start on E.
A7: A C# E G = play notes from D major scale
B7: B D# F# A = play notes from the E major scale.

Sorry I answered this guy's post on this thread

[Sakae]

I was thinking about maybe looking for a CD so I could listen to a professional play the alto saxophone. I would like to know who would be good for me to listen to. I like slow type music like ballads and I think I would probably like the smooth jazz kind of music ok. I will appreciate any opinions or advice.

Carol Keeton

Hey... Do you like Pop music? I'm playing this song, that has a good solo of sax (is tenor, but you can play the lowest notes as high ones):

Band: Los Hermanos
Song: Primavera
Album: Los Hermanos

They're from Brazil. There are others songs with sax (tenor, I repeat), but they're pretty nice to play. Good luck searching!

[saxyguy92]

get a sanborn cd, he has some great ballads on his Pearls cd

[saxyguy92]

how the heck did you get to region jazz tryouts without knowing how to improvise?????!!!??

[saxyguy92]

Ok here is the deal, in 2 weeks I am going to all region jazz tryouts. I need to know how to improvise!!! But I don’t know how!! I need to know what notes to use on the following chords, d7 g7 f#mi7 Emi7 A7 B7. I need help asap!! I would really appreciate it if someone would help me… thanks


how the heck did you get to all regions without knowing how to improvise

[spellbound]

CSK,
If by smooth jazz you mean the type of modern instrumental R&B played by folks like
Kenny G. and Grover, then of course you have to listen to David Sanborn. His latest
is called Timeagan and has a few slower ballad type pieces on it. Kenny G. and Grover
typically don't play the alto, though both have a few alto pieces, Grover more than Kenny G.


Wow Kenny G and Grover in the same sentence... OUCH! :D
Talk about rolling in his grave..
Sorry Grove :)