10 Underrated Alto Players You Should Know About | bernie's bootlegs

[@williamedmundson6626]

Jon just stopped by my school last semester, he is genuinely one of the nicest people ever and one of the most killin players potentially of all time. He's put so much study into the horn and loves to share it with anyone who wants to hear. Such a kind and genuine man and I'm so glad to have had the pleasure of playing for him.

[@Databhoy]

Fantastic stuff - I would like to suggest Frank Morgan, Marion Brown, John Tchicai and Makanda Ken McIntyre if you’re up for a volume 2 of this.

[@mirazusta2002]

Clifford Solomon could also be included in this list. As for Gary Bartz and Hank Crawford, well, I believe they were widely recognized and well established as alto saxos from the very begining of their careers. Thus, Gary Bartz was enlisted in the Miles Davis band by Mr. Davis himself back in 1970 for his legendary concert on the Island of Wight, the result of which can be forever enjoyed in Miles Davis avant-grade album Live-Evil. All those events were quite an achievement for a relatively young musician back then . Hank Crawford, on the other hand, was musical director of Ray Charles, and also accompanied other big mames, such as B.B.King, as alto sax. Other than that, I have to congratulate you on your video and thank you for posting it, it is most interesting, and relevant. I think that in the case of these excellent musicians you mention in your video, the problem was that once they reached their respective peaks as performers, they didn't enjoy the same degree of popularity as other musicians, maybe due to a lack of media exposure, which doesn't mean they are not accomplished musicians on their own right.

[@Herehear49]

Thanks much! Enlightening! A top 50 would probably accommodate everyone's choices of overlooked players.

[@gjudd]

Nice compilation! I've had the good fortune to hear Binney & Shaw live, together with some stellar musicians (Binney with Craig Taborn, Evind Opsvik, Brian Blade(?)) & Shaw with Ben Williams among others); familiar with Cleanhead Vinson, McPherson, & Richie Cole from other places

[@henridelagardere4584]

0:00 - *Charles McPherson* - "Cherokee" - Jon Faddis, ld; 1:57 - *Hank Crawford" - "Everyday I Have The Blues" - Bob DeVos, g; Jimmy McGriff, org; Jimmie Smith, dr; - *1989* - San Diego 3:55 - *Eddie Cleanhead Vinson* - "Clean Head Blues" - Hank Crawford, as; David Fathead Newman, fl; George Wein, p; Milt Hinton, b; Alan Dawson, dr; *1978* - France 5:20 - *Gary Bartz* - "You're Sensational" - Barney McAll, p; James King, b; Greg Bandy, dr; *2015* . Serbia 7:20 - *Richie Cole* - "I Can't Get Started" - 9:18 - *Mark Vinci* - " 10:53 - *Dick Oatts* - "Alaina" - John Beasley, p; Ben Shepherd, b; Dan Schnelle , dr; *15* LA 12:53 - *David Binney* - " 14:47 - *Jon Gordon* - " 16:47 - *Jaleel Shaw* - "Flipside" - Aaron Parks, p; Lage Lund, g; Joe Martin, b; Johnathan Blake, dr; *2008* - NYC tbc

[@PascalbigT]

After listening, have to say, Dick Oatts and Jaleel Shaw are personal favorites of mine from this list. Thanks Bernie Sanders!

[@mattdavis9801]

Hank Crawford! Love that tone!

[@renan-teuman]

Thank you for the videos, now it's time for 10 underrated drummers!

[@unkysonny]

+ bernie's bootlegs Roy Brooks?

[@mattdavis9801]

My list would probably include: Vincent Herring Will Vinson Paquito d’Riviera Sonny Criss Ted Nash Warren Maxwell (Fulla Flash) Sherman Irby Miguel Zenon Fancesco Cafiso Karolina Strassmayer

[@mattdavis9801]

And Dan Higgins!

[@mr.mxyzptlk6233]

WILL VINSON!! Haha seriously one of my favorites.

[@wilfiewilliams1638]

James Spaulding

[@SidLaw500]

He steals the show on Wayne Shorter's The Soothsayer

[@dougiesherwin9591]

James is brilliant.

[@fernandosalazar1598]

Someone has the link to David Binney full video?

[@kendricbaines2415]

Dick Oatts is in that recording of Charles McPh. and the Jon faddis JO. hes lead alto.

[@robinnicaise1978]

Ok great players, what are you thinking about Miguel Zenon, Vincent Herring, Perico Sambeat, Olivier Zanot...?

[@sharonibaloni6693]

i saw hank crawford as an opening act for herbie hancock in around 1970. never saw no one else crawford and band were superb

[@sandrocompagnon1037]

Great selection! If you make another compilation of great alto sax players you can put Loren Stillman into it :)

[@dahalofreeek]

You have dope content. I love to go on listening adventures.

[@a1gold176]

bernie, you're destroying the jazz click- bait game and im proud

[@martinsaltzman5003]

Patrick Bartley belongs high on this list especially when he plays with Emmet Cohen.

[@CanIUseSpaces]

Do Tim Green or Miguel Zenon count as underrated?

[@HugoCoolDude]

Good Evening, Let me begin by thanking the hundreds of thousands of viewers who actively participated in this jazz channel as volunteers. I understand that many people here in this comment section and around the country are disappointed about the total amount of Tina Brooks solos. I think it’s fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am. Upload days come and go. But the struggle of the people to create a jazz library which represents all of us and not just the 1 percent - a jazz library based on the principles of modal, bop, avantgarde and fusion jazz - that struggle continues. And I look forward to being part of that struggle with you. Let me be as clear as I can be. This youtube channel is not about, and has never been about, Chris Potter, or Joshua Redman, or Wayne Shorter or any of the other saxophone player who sought to be the greatest. This channel is not about jazzical gossip. It’s not about popularity. It’s not about chord strategy. It’s not about all the things the media spends so much time discussing. This channel is about - and must be about - the needs of the people to hear Tina Brooks and the kind of future jazz library we create for our children and grandchildren. It is about understanding that if we do not transform our jazz library, our younger generation will likely have a lower standard of listening then their parents. This is about ending the grotesque level of Tina Brooks inequality that we currently experience, the worst it has been since 1928. It is not moral, not acceptable and not sustainable that the top one-tenth of one percent now listen to as much Tina Brooks as the bottom 90 percent, or that the top 1 percent in recent years has played 85 percent of all new Tina Brooks material. That is unacceptable. That must change.

[@ricaard]

So, let's get this straight: you want us to ignore Tina Brooks? *OKAY!!*

[@SidLaw500]

David Binney captured me!

[@dougiesherwin9591]

My condolences.

[@SidLaw500]

@@dougiesherwin9591 You are so clever!

[@colepeterson544]

While I would agree that Dick Oatts is definitely underrated, he is a level above the rest of these saxophonists, both in popularity and skill level.

[@rasecbarravino3490]

Other great but unknown alto players include Baptiste Herbin and Giovanni Cutello

[@Joe_FlexIT]

I saw McPherson live. He’s amazing!

[@noahwagner4812]

The alto player on stage with Dick Oatts in that recording is Danny Janklow. He's also a killer player.

[@bestaff]

is that Javier Santiago on piano with Jaleel?

[@michaeldean9338]

Hank Crawford...major influence on David Sanborn.

[@tomwaters3029]

Bernie Sanders, what about Nigel Hitchcock?

[@tomizziomelli3060]

Well, i'm enjoying this game. My vote goes to David Binney. A good option is Jon Gordon. Thanks.

[@eveline1986]

me too

[@The_Ex_Boxing_Nerd]

What about Bobby Selvaggio?

[@juansausruiz1112]

check out Perico Sambeat

[@Yuppie.Mike.]

first guy is awesome

[@Yuppie.Mike.]

It would be helpful if from now on you keep the name of the musician up while you're watching. That way I can make a list I don't have time to watch it over and over again. Would if I had the time but I don't

[@juanmartinduquero9643]

When you transcribe Parker's sólo on cherokee

[@samondaatje3604]

Zane Musa?

[@davischong6078]

Zane shoulda been here.

[@Nuxunumo]

Mike Lewis, though he's primarily a tenor player I guess.

[@florianjaeger6733]

Wow, Charles McPherson! That guy has the "economy of movement" principle down to a T!

[@DestinMillerMusic]

I think dang near all alto players get over looked after the time of cannonball lol besides ppl like Kenny garret

[@connorsobieri]

Unfortunately almost all of jazz has been over looked after the time of Cannonball lol

[@alansenzaki4148]

...frank strozier, lee konitz, sonny fortune, sonny redd, ... Up and coming zoe abadia, veronica leahy.

[@darrelfrancisco2941]

all are amazing players.

[@byronsigrano6849]

How about baritone players?

[@mr.mxyzptlk6233]

Gary Smulyan

[@Erschophone]

You need to learn about the father of the Baritone Saxophone - Duke's chauffeur…

[@noahpettibon]

There aren't enough baritone players 😂they're all underrated!

[@noahpettibon]

I *would* like to see BS channel do 10 "Great" Baritones but the *top* 10 lists bug me because of how hard to define the top is.

[@gabrielpreston5129]

Serge Chaloff, Joe Temperley, Cecil Payne...I could go on and on

[@SeanLeonDrumz]

Can you do 10 underrated drummers, and trumpet players?

[@mr.mxyzptlk6233]

NO!! SAX PLAYERS ONLY!!!!!

[@mr.mxyzptlk6233]

Just kidding

[@unkysonny]

Tuba (tubists?), bongo and poker players!

[@chrispotter3190]

unkysonny what about league players

[@armthealiens]

Underrated poker players - that's funny. Guys who lost but played really well!!!

[@PaddieFunk]

Soweto Kinch?

[@egyptianminor]

Definitely a great underrated Alto player. The fact that he's British and lives on the other side of the pond probably doesn't help, though...

[@eliottmorst]

i forgot about him

[@PeekaPeep]

Was expecting to see Sonny Criss and Art Pepper somewhere on that list, but alas they didn't make the cut. Oh well, at least both were mentioned in this thread by several others so that's all good. Might as well drop Frank Morgan's name in there for what it's worth...

[@DanielNield]

I’m a big Art Pepper fan and those who know him would definitely say he’s not underrated. He’s regarded as one of the great alto sax players. There’s a big difference between being underrated and being very popular and well-known.

[@PeekaPeep]

@@DanielNield That's just it, those who know Pepper ARE in the minority as it turns out (lol). There's also a big difference between being great and being "very popular and well-known". Thanks for sharing you opinion, though! 🙂👋

[@ghairraigh]

NOT . . . BY . . . ME! (did they really have to flash a photo of Bird during Charles McPherson's solo on the video?)

[@joeshmooo]

What happened to bernie Sanders?

[@datanotions]

John Handy, Steve Wilson, Oliver Nelson would have made my list

[@funnylittlehorn891]

John Handy and Eric Kloss were top alto players of the 60´s. Byron Allen maybe came closest to Ornette Coleman´s style.

[@bobshields957]

V Herring, A Blythe

[@leopold23756]

Leo Slayter makes 11 underrated Alto Sax players

[@BlasJohnny]

Very Cool Thank You

[@bigeman25]

I can't believe the first 4 are underrated. Not in my book anyway. Thank you for these vids.

[@gangstakittie7699]

Underated means neglected but gold

[@guntergerlach6516]

Herrlich danke

[@saxcover.Varzak]

Special thanks

[@unkysonny]

Hey Bernie, how about doing some overrated lists, or a poll?

[@Lucas-jg4he]

baptiste herbin

[@victoza9232]

I think "Underrated" in the title is a typo. It's probably supposed to be "10 Unrelated Alto Players You Should Know About."

[@mmullan81]

Hey Bernie, If you are on Facebook, I just started a group a few minutes ago called Mike Mullan, Friends and Jazz. Would love to have you and be able to post some of these amazing clips and anything else you want jazz related. Add anyone you want, it's a public group

[@johnbutler8235]

Kenny Garrett and John Handy are a couple that come to mind that you left out, but maybe they're not underrated.

[@kabalayouri419]

Sonny criss i think is underrated !

[@aaronkranzler4830]

man where's dave pietro in this!

[@xasma]

dick oatts is underrated? hes the sax prof. at fucking temple lmao.

[@victoza9232]

xasma Is Fucking Temple lmao a good school?

[@xasma]

Vic Toza one of the best

[@victoza9232]

xasma You do realize I was joking, right? There is no school named "Fucking Temple lmao."

[@xasma]

Vic Toza says YOU

[@unkysonny]

xasma Never heard of him, or the other four on the bottom of the list.

[@BryanCanonMusic]

Yah Jon Gordon!

[@torindavies1176]

John O’Gallagher

[@olech24europe]

Does anyone have heard about Sonny Red?. He didn't record many albums. Great and underrated alto player.

[@mr.mxyzptlk6233]

Agreed. One of the first alto players I tried transcribing other than Parker

[@jaleelshaw]

I really dig his playing as well.

[@cottinghamtennisclub9225]

Maybe the White House should listen to this stuff that Bernie puts out it might cool their heads out!

[@devilshark6694]

Sonny red, sonny simmons

[@gleff3345]

Sonny Fortune

[@charlestrane]

I think the Charles McPherson choice is right on, but I don't think Gary Bartz or Hank Crawford are underrated by jazz heads.

[@unkysonny]

Marion Brown

[@javierperez-gu5my]

Buenisimo ¡

[@amenentuet]

Hank Crawford and David "Fathead", Newman Both Played for RAY CHARLES no SLACKERS Played For RAY !!! Richie Cole is No Joke either !

[@MegaRas73]

Personally I think one of these is overrated, perhaps people like Paul Desmond and Art Pepper are underrated

[@HoodedJeans]

gary bartz?

[@MegaRas73]

HoodedJeans yes 😊

[@HoodedJeans]

Rob Stutchbury yeah, i hear you

[@JS-dt1tn]

No fucking way. Bet you've never heard him play with Woody Shaw. Bet you've never heard of Woody shaw actually...

[@armthealiens]

Shit, you guys are MAD. Gary Bartz is in my top ten of all time greatest alto players. Up there with Cannonball and Charlie Parker.

[@delll1979]

Check Nick Biello out guyss, crazy guy ,heck of a player

[@MrAbomb234]

Shawn Thunder Wallace, seriously that guy is amazing

[@Laurenzatto54]

One note by Johnny Hodges contains more music than 10000 notes by all those guys...

[@moranletouze1449]

Justin Robinson

[@sammyvh11]

Brad Leali

[@marcroigcebrian]

kenny garrett

[@benplaybass]

Josh Benko

[@bcarniaux]

What about Thomas Chapin

[@pierredosameiroartist]

French saxophonist Baptiste Herbin!!!!

[@makarkashitsyn6832]

Check Nicholas Bello

[@chrisferrarimusic]

Killin list, wish Frank Morgan was on it though!

[@atantonio9674]

lets us not forget John Handy, Steve Wilson

[@ohlukkyman]

I'd rather spend my time listening to Charles McPherson or Phil Woods or Dudu Pukwana than waste another instant considering the premise of "under-rated" anythings. G'nite!

[@grantkoeller8911]

so many you left off the list.....

[@myousic934]

Gary Bartz's drummer is attacking ever chance he can get😅👎

[@JoshuaDeanHealey]

Half of them are not underated.. maybe my ears are just broken haha

[@datanotions]

John Handy, Steve Wilson, Oliver Nelson would have made my list

[@connorsobieri]

There aren’t any really good Steven Wilson videos on KZbin tho to show. I wish there was though.

[@atantonio9674]

lets us not forget John Handy, Steve Wilson