Saxophone came into prominence in the mid-nineteenth century. Initially picked by the military bands for its deep and resonating sound, it even aced at expressing mellow and heart-touching tunes which earned it a place in the orchestra, jazz, and several other contemporary music genres. Stalwarts like Marcel Mule contributed significantly in establishing the versatility and universal appeal of a sax, thus making it a prominent voice in legendary music groups such as the Beatles and Pink Floyd.
Ever since its first mention in 1844, history is dotted with several famous saxophone players who are celebrated for weaving magic through their sax. Music lovers find solace in their pieces. And all aspiring saxophone players must make it a habit to listen to these musicians. This is the best place for new music enthusiasts who are looking to explore the sax legacy and guide to learn how to play the saxophone.
In this article, we bring to you some 10 best saxophone artists that you should add to your playlist.
- Coleman Hawkins
The American saxophone player whose rich and voluminous sound is revered by musicians of all genres even today played an iconic role in making sax an integral part of jazz music. His chorus performance - ‘Body and Soul’ finds a special place in the playlist of every music lover from all over the world. Hawk has also been a part of some of the esteemed music groups and orchestras. Hawks music is deep, impactful, and magical. Hence, deservingly enough, he wins first place in our list of top 10 saxophone players.
- Sonny Rollins
If you want to enliven a party or even create a romantic ambiance for your partner, just turn on ‘Without a Song’ by Sonny Rollins. One of the major contributors of the sax legacy, Sonny Rollins came to the limelight in the 40s. He has played with stalwart trumpeter Mile Davis and also brought out several musical albums that enthrall music lovers even today.
- Charlie Parker
If you love to listen to saxophone compositions, Charlie Parker is one of the great saxophone players you can never leave out. A real treat for the ears of every music aficionado, Charlie Parker is a stalwart who etched a definitive space for saxophone in an orchestra and other music genres. His sound is rich, vibrant, and invigorating. If you are a newbie trying to learn saxophone online or offline, trying to understand sax compositions, just turn on ‘Now’s the time,’ and I bet you would be smitten by both - the sax and the maestro who plays it.
- Cannonball Adderly
A major contributor to the hard bop genre between 1950-1960s, Cannonball Adderly emerged as a refined jazz alto saxophonist who blended melody with rhythm in a way that lifted the entire composition to an ethereal level. A member of Mile Davis band at the initial stage of his career, Adderly led the soul-jazz movement, later. He played with some of the leading music composers of his time and also explored several musical genres. Some of his noteworthy numbers include ‘Walk Tall’, ‘Work Song’ and ‘Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.’
- Dale Barlow
The jazz saxophone player who put Australia’s name on the world map for saxophone recitals, Dale Barlow is a living legend and an inspiration for musicians from around the world. He earned several awards and accolades for his performances. He is celebrated for his solo as well as group performances with several esteemed bands and other musical performers.
- Bernie McGann
Have you ever heard of the ‘Spirit Song’ by Bernie McGann? How the rhythmic sound reverberates into your heart and makes your mind and body groove to its melodies - the uplifts the entire environment like magic strewn in the air. Anybody who has heard McGann play his sax would swear by it. Another Aussie Jazz Alto Saxophonist who is revered by the entire music fraternity, Mc Gann came into prominence in the mid-twentieth century, he played with many jazz, rock, and pop composers.
- Sandy Evans
As we talk about Australians, one name that comes up as melodiously as her compositions is that of Sandy Evans. A female saxophonist who started her musical journey in 1980. Her jazz compositions and sax performances earned her several awards, accolades, and a very strong fan base. She has even mentored several saxophonists who have made their marks in the sax legacy. Some of her commendable works include ‘Blue Shift’, ‘Not in the Mood’, and ‘When the Sky Cries Rainbows’ among many other timeless sax pieces.
- Edith Lettner
A prolific composer and a musician who works for band projects, theatres, and films, Edith Lettner has extensively explored jazz, free improvisation, African and Middle Eastern music. She weaves magic in the air through her alto and soprano saxophone. Besides this, she is also a teacher who helps students from all over the world to find their love with the saxophone. Some of her notable compositions include Freemotion in 2005, African Jazz Spirit in 2010, and Delight in New York, a quintet in 2018.
- Dexter Gordon
One of the famous sax players who came into prominence around 1940, Dexter Gordon appeased several musical groups and connoisseurs alike in the US-Europe ambit. A versatile performer, Gordon was a musician, saxophonist, and actor. He contributed majorly to the music genres of the mid-nineteenth century, which include, jazz, swing, hard bop, and bebop. For absolute beginners to Gordon’s recitals, notable compositions such as ‘Long, Tall Dexter,’ ‘Setting the Pace’ from the album ‘Dexter Rides Again’ is a good place to start.
- Mile Davis
Talking about best saxophone players, here is one of the major composers and band leaders who has been a significant influencer for several saxophonists during his active years and beyond, the name of Mile Davis is etched in gold in the history of the evolution of saxophone. Davis had a glorious career in jazz music spanning over five decades. His compositions are unmatched and the number of young saxophonists that he trained and inspired remain countless to this day. ‘Round About Midnight,’ ‘Sketches of Spain,’ and ‘Milestone’ recorded in the early years of his career encapsulate some of the timeless sax pieces.
And Thus…
We come to an end of the top ten stalwart saxophone players. The compositions of these saxophonists are too compelling for music lovers to come back to them over and over again to the evergreen melodies.
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