It is no doubt that the saxophone has always been that beautiful and seductive musical instrument that goes with every genre. No matter how much musical experiment with the instrument is going on these days, previously it was one of the most emotionally rich elements typically used in jazz, blues, and classic music. This big brass wind instrument was invented by Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax. The name ‘Saxophone’ is taken from his last name. It was invented in the 19th century and got patented in 1846 and quickly become popular with its soul-touching and groove-defining sound. By the time the 20th century came, a musical style was born to satisfy all kinds of music lovers know as Jazz. The idea for saxophone was quite bigger than how originally it was initiated. Since the patent, there have been 14 different versions of the sax along with F contrabass, Eb sopranino with a pitch like Bb and Eb. Among all, the most common kind and wide used saxophone were the Alto Saxophone.
Adolphe studied different wind instruments like the clarinet, flute, etc, and finally came up with a bigger instrument with a single-reed mouthpiece. With his father’s inspiration, intricate study of different instruments and materials; Adolphe could finally come up with an amazing instrument that possesses the projection of Brass and agility of a woodwind. With a successful invention and commercial distribution of it, the 20th century started with a bunch of talented saxophone artists who created a huge buzz with their prolific musicianship. These legendary artists and instrumentalists have paved the path of saxophone with some of their musical masterpieces. There are several talented musicians and jazz saxophonists like Johnny Hodges, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, etc to name some. All the artists have provided the industry and listeners some of the best musical contributions. Here are the top 5 famous saxophonists –
1. John Coltrane (1926 – 1967)
Ask anyone who does not know anything about jazz yet still would recognize the name John Coltrane as he was a legend. The artist was born in 1926 and created a new root of jazz music with his amazing hold of breath and avant-garde material of Sax. He showed an immense knack for music while studying the E-flat tenor (alto) horn, alto saxophone, and clarinet in high school. With a family of ministers and Gospel preachers, the artist learned from the best about life. Church going and gospel music was a part of his musical upbringing. Later on, he got graduated and went to Ornstein School of Music and Granoff Studios before making his first debut in 1945 with a lounge band.
His work with the Navy and earnest desire to play alto saxophone lead him to play with different bands and well-seasoned artists. Some of his early works with Dizzy Gillespie (1949–1951) and Earl Bostic (1952–1953), Johnny Hodges’ Norgran albums (1954-1955), etc impressed all kinds of listeners. Working with Miles Davis provided him a wider exposure. Critically acclaimed and of the finest work of his life was the Thelonious Monk’s Quartet. His album Coltrane made people mesmerized as well as the fellow saxophonists. ‘Blue Train’ is one of the masterpieces that established him as a composer. His other works like ‘The Cats’, ‘Africa/Brass’, ‘A Love Supreme’, etc are part of his wonderful musical journey. He mastered the Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone and kept pushing his musical limits until spiritual enlightenment. With his numerous outstanding performances and a critically acclaimed life, the artist established himself ‘As a Saint’ of music. This Hall of Fame artist died in 1967 due to cancer in the liver.
2. Charlie Parker (1920 – 1955)
This American Saxophonist, nicknamed ‘Bird’, was born in Kansas City and created a new route to saxophone playing. Sharing a fair amount of a struggle-some childhood he found his escape in the sound of Saxophone. Starting his life with beaten-up second-hand saxophone, he gradually nurtured his skills at the Ozark Mountains in 1937. Later on, he moved to Chicago and tried to play in local bars and bands. By the time of 1940, he started working with McShann’s Band and the combo broke through the contemporary jazz scene. Charlie’s arrangement in ‘Hootie Blues’ is still a musical hit.
Parker has also worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Billy Eckstine, and countless other bands. Around 1944 he met Miles Davis and some subtle twists and turns created what is known as ‘Bebop’. 1947 was one of the most fruitful years with ‘Cool Blues’, ‘Stupendous’, ‘Relaxing At Camarillo’, ‘Bird’s Nest’, etc many others. Throughout his life, the artist has elevated the stereotypical jazz scene into an upbeat and entertaining composition of artistic expressions. He always favored the alto sax and especially the Conn M series of Grafton, Martin, and Selmer. He died only at the age of 34 years but made the jazz revolution in just a few years. His name will be written in gold in the history of jazz music.
3. Sonny Rollins (Born September 7, 1930)
Sonny is one of the most influential jazz musicians in the industry with his unique experiments with saxophone and jazz music. Known as the “Saxophone Colossus”, this artist recreated the essence of Bebop and created ‘hard bop’ with sheer individuality of musical creativity. He is born in the United States Virgin Islands and started his musical life as a pianist. Later on, he changed to saxophonist and then finally switched to tenor. Starting with Babs Gonzales, the artist has played with numerous other artists like Roy Haynes, Fats Navarro, Bud Powell, etc. With some ups and downs, he finally got to work with Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, etc. Some of his masterpieces like, “Doxy”, “Oleo”, “Airegin”, etc have impressed fellow musicians and listeners as well.
Till now, this artist has offered listeners numerous chart-busting recordings like Saxophone Colossus, Blue 7, Tenor Madness, Sonny Boy, Way Out West, and the list keeps going on. He is known as the greatest living improviser who has flourished in the jazz industry all over his life till now. He always preferred the Selmer Mark VI to create his compositions both onstage and offstage.
4. Lester Young (1909 – 1959)
Lester Willis Young, also known by the nickname ‘Prez’ was an American tenor saxophonist who enriched the industry with his amazing jazz compositions. He is well known for his calm and relaxing saxophone harmonies with is often criticized as the free-floating style. His sophisticated melodies and funky riffs created a new wave in jazz music. He created the popular hipster jargon. Born in Mississippi, Lester grew his knack for music at a very young age and tenor saxophone over alto as his primary weapon. This member of Count Basie’s orchestra mainly played tenor sax and sometimes clarinet on occasions.
Preferably using the Conn M during his career, he provided some of the best post-war recordings as he was deeply moved during his army service. Some of his works like ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing’, ‘Pres and Sweets’, ‘The Jazz Giants ’56’, ‘Pres and Teddy’, ‘Laughin’ to Keep from Cryin’, ‘; The Essential Lester Young’, ‘, etc many others are the revolutionary creations of the jazz industry. He has paved the path for the next generation of saxophonists.
5. Stan Getz (1927-1991)
Stan Getz is one of those musicians and saxophone artists who merged the classic with the modern with his musical creations. His rich and dynamic tracks have encouraged people to listen to jazz music even more. His mellifluous works in the 1960 albums provided him the nickname ‘The Sound’. His warm and lyrical tones provided listeners more than just music but a story behind it. Poetic embracement of the sound of the saxophone is something only he could do. Born in 1927, this artist had a fair share of trauma and depression in his time but never stopped doing music as it where he could find himself.
At the age of only 16, he started playing with Nat King Cole, Lionel Hampton, Stan Kenton, Jimmy Dorsey, and many others. He worked with Woody Herman and created “Early Autumn”, a musical hit. His album, ‘Moonlight in Vermont’ changed the musician’s perspective about jazz music. Playing the popular cool jazz style, the artist catered a lot of attention from worldwide listeners. His compositions like, ‘Stan Getz Plays’, ‘The Brothers’, ‘Stan Getz Quartets’, ‘Stan Getz and the Cool Sounds’, ‘Stan Getz and the Oscar Peterson Trio’, ‘Marrakesh Express’, etc numerous others have enriched the industry and contemporary jazz scene. His Grammy award-winning track “Girl from Ipanema” is still a hit. He played the Selmer Mark VI tenor saxophone all his life.
Conclusion
Just like the musicians, the jazz industry has also involved so did the saxophones and their models. The only thing that has not changed is the richness of the genre and true love for music. Jazz is the music that keeps everyone together as a family in harmony.