[stevenc323]

Hi everyone,
I'm new here and I'm wondering what are some very popular and good players or songs (jazz/sax). I want to improve my own skills by listening to some saxophone legends and also just for enjoyment. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Steven: Okay, I'll start. Look for anything by Sidney Bechet, the first jazz saxophonist.

Then look for anything with Johnny Hodges, the sweetest of the jazz alto saxophonist.

Then look for early Coleman Hawkins on tenor and bass sax (1920's).

THEN, look for Frankie "Tram" Trumbauer on C-Melody, who recorded with Bix Beiderbecke. That covers those who started it all.

After that, I'll defer to all the modernists around here. DAVE

 

[grevsax24]

John Coltrane- A Love Supreme is what got me into jazz.

 

[Saxmusiclover]

Stan Getz - Girl from Ipanema

 

[jmm1713]

Michael Brecker -- Tales From The Hudson

 

[JazzJunkie]

Charles Parker, Jackie McLean, Eric Dolphy,
Charlie Mariano, Sonny Stitt, John Coltrane, Archie Shepp, Dexter Gordon,
Sonny Rollins, Lester Young, Don Byas, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Lee
Konitz, Warne Marsh, Sidney Bechet, jimmy Giuffre, Anthony Braxton, Roscoe
Mitchell, Joseph Jarman, Henry Threadgill, David Murray, Ornetter Coleman,
Dewey Redman, Jimmy Lyons, Sonny Simmons, Kalaparush Maurice MacIntyre,
Charles Gayle, Albert Ayler, Steve Lacy, Charles Brackeen, John Tchicai,
Marion Brown, Elton Dean, Evan Parker, Peter Brotzmann, Paul Dunmall, David
S Ware, Frank Wright, Alan Wilkinson, Jim Denley, Stuart Porter, Neill
Duncan, Carlos Ward, Mats Gustaffson, Von Freeman, Steve Coleman, Greg Osby,
Maceo Parker, David Liebman,, Assif Tsahar, Daniel Carter, Sabir Mateen,
Trevor Watts, Sean Bergin, Tobias Delius, Rob Brown, Kris Wanders, Gary
Bartz, Joe Henderson, Sonny Fortune, Dudu Pukwana, Mike Osborne, Oliver
Lake, Hamiett Bluiett, Werner Ludi, john Lurie, John Butcher, Arthur Blythe,
Bernie McGann, Carlos Actis Dato, John Zorn, Willem Breuker, Paul Flaherty,
Arthur Doyle

 

[saxymanzach]

Lester Young - anything.

Charlie Parker - my favorites are the albums "Now's The Time" and "Live at Storyville."

Stan Getz - W/ Oscar Peterson Trio, "Focus"

Hank Mobley - "Soul Station"

John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn - "Tenor Conclave"

I will think of more...

 

[saxymanzach]

Joe Henderson - "Page One," "Inner Urge," "Lush Life," "So Near, So Far."

Dexter Gordon - "Go!" "Daddy Plays The Horn."

Scott Hamilton - "Back In New York."

Wayne Shorter - "Speak No Evil"

Herbie Hancock - "Maiden Voyage" (George Coleman on sax)

 

[Adderleysfasthands]

charlie parker-just friends

cannonball adderley-work song

kenny garrett-Waynes thange

paul desmond- take five

 

[saxxsymbol]

grover washington jr.

 

[JazzItUp]

Dave Koz - You Make Me Smile

Will have you twisting your brains.

 

[gearaholic]

If you're new to jazz and don't know where to start, I suggest you go to www.themusicresource.com and click on the "100 Historically Significant Jazz Recordings" under "Specials". These are all good choices, but for sax players: Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Wayne Shorter, etc. I really haven't narrowed it down much have I?

Okay, three albums that I love and think are good first jazz albums are:
Miles Davis: Kind of Blue (w/ Cannonball Adderley & John Coltrane)
Dave Brubek: Time Out (w/ Paul Desmond)
Herbie Hancock: Headhunters (w/ Bennie Maupin)

You could also go the "crossover" route for artists whose CD's are more readily available, such as Kenny G, Dave Koz, David Sanborn, etc.

 

[scottieAnthony]

Has to be Johnny Hodges so pure

 

[eldrad]

I suggest an album called The uptown Quintet, Live in New York. It's got a really good alto player on it. Otherwise check out some Dexter Gordon - "Blues Walk", or even some Maceo Parker.