TOP 10 TENOR SAXOPHONE Players (Classic Jazz Era)

#saxophone #bettersax #tenorsax
Jay Metcalf compiles a list of the 10 most influential tenor saxophone players from the Classic Jazz era and discusses each.
* All revenue from the Better Sax KZbin channel in the month of June 2020 will be donated to charities that support social justice in America.
Art cannot be studied absent the context of history.
Jazz music is part of the enormous cultural contribution of Black Americans and racism is a big part of that history.
Enjoy the art form, but also acknowledge the reality of racism past and present.
Correction The names of Booker Ervin and Johnny Griffin are misspelled at the end of the video, my apologies.
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[@bobreynolds]

Nicely done, Jay. No doubt you just introduced a whole lot of folks to these legendary players. (And wonderful intro to the video)

[@bettersax]

Thanks Bob!

[@joeperry245]

Eddie lockjaw Davis. Great player.

[@vincentmilito2732]

@@bettersax CHARLIE VENTURA

[@joegaudette2494]

Ditto what Bob said Jay - awesome job! I’ve been playing for many decades and 2 of the biggest highlights of my playing career we’re getting to see and talk to both Sonny Stitt and Johnny Griffin. Talk about lessons - not only in music but as you mentioned, life as well. Both were just great people in addition to being the masters they were. I loved your picks and think based on the list at the end would love to see another video. I know these videos are a lot of work - but you do them so well! : ). Thanks again -

[@directcurrent5751]

Yes

[@phila2361]

Coltrane said he never new when to stop an ad lib to which Miles replied "just take the horn out of your mouth, man".

[@jessesheehan4051]

just go to the low range of the horn tho to end a sax solo it helps

[@kennyr1161]

Jesse Sheehan the original commenter meant like a phrase not a whole solo. Also high or low are both good just gotta know how to end it right.

[@flatbillboy85]

Insert expletive here, lol

[@jessesheehan4051]

@@kennyr1161 a low note generally sounds more "done" but sometimes you can get a high note to work. and no he WAS talking about how to end a solo I remember the quote from his biography.

[@aidandoylepolitics]

I think he was talking about practice, and miles davis said just take the motherfucker out of your mouth

[@williamgregory1848]

Fun fact about Dexter Gordon: He’s also an Oscar-nominated actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1987 for his performance in the Bertrand Tavernier film ‘Round Midnight’ (the same movie that inspired me to learn the saxophone.)

[@joaopedrobaganha811]

As a brazilian tenor sax player, Stan Getz is my personal favorite, I love his bossa nova and samba covers, this is Brasil!

[@andrewdailey9646]

FINALLY somebody recognizes stan getz, his tone is just otherworldly

[@juancpgo]

I think white jazz musicians are often underrated in jazz: Art Pepper, Tubby Hayes, Zoot Sims, Al Haig, Anita O'Day, George Shearing, are all mind blowing amazing, and took me a lot of time to properly discover them because people just don't seem to acknowledge them much. Stan Getz was a freakin genius, a god, his melodic ideas are nothing but divine and his tone the most gorgeous one.

[@SELMER1947]

Finally somebody recognizes ALL the great tenors as well as Getz !!!!

[@sleeplezznightz]

Stan Getz is hardly underrated. He's on every list of greatest sax players, tenor or not, easily.

[@sebastianabele4064]

Stan Getz the goat

[@SELMER1947]

@@sebastianabele4064 Bullshit

[@danielditlev]

Thank you for the shout out to Denmark. As a 44 year old Dane who bought his first baritone sax less than a week ago I am happy to hear that we were a home away from home for some of these artists. I hope things will turn to the better soon for everyone around the world.

[@olebirgerpedersen]

Velkommen I klubben af baritonplayers . Jeg er 81 og spillede altsax fra jeg var 17 og köbte min förste Baritonsax, da jeg som tresaarig kom til Glindeman. Jeg spiller stadig paa dem begge.

[@danielditlev]

Ole Birger Pedersen Tusind tak for velkomsten! Min bari skulle eftersigende have tilhørt Bent "Stork" Nielsen som jeg ved spillede med Glindemann på et tidspunkt. Jeg er meget beæret. Jeg har uploadet en video på min KZbin over hvordan det lød efter 5 dage. Feedback er meget velkommen hvis du har mod på at give det.

[@olebirgerpedersen]

@@danielditlev Storken, ja hab var en skön original. Jeg spillede tilfäldigt billard med en ung mand paa et värtshus paa Frederiksberg og märkeligt nok kendte han mit navn, saa jeg spurgte ham, hvor han kendte det fra. Jeg er Storkens sön , svarede han. Det blev en morsom aften. Jeg traf ofte Storken I baglokalet hos en instrumentmager, hvor vi som oftest fik en öl eller flere.

[@snodog3]

Gmafb

[@jeffpf38]

Jay, thank you so much for making this video. With what is going on in the world, it means a lot that you would take the time to not only address the issue, but also to acknowledge how jazz fits into what is going on. It is such a great reminder of what we have been given by African-American culture, as well as the fact that we cannot take for granted the struggle that they still have to deal with on a daily basis in the year 2020. Your words were very eloquent and really hit the point. I am very proud to watch and subscribe to your channel bro!

[@boulejazz]

Good quote, "Art cannot be studied absent the context of history." Thanks for the great videos.

[@petegalindez9961]

Jay...WOW! I made your intro required viewing for the whole family (my wife and two teenage sons). For me, this was an epiphany...I've played music most of my life (age 51 now) and love Jazz (more smooth Jazz, fusion jazz on trumpet, and jazz rock - David Sanborn, Dave Koz, Michael Lington, Maynard Ferguson, Chuck Mangione, you get the picture). I've tried to get into the more traditional jazz but could never understand the long solos that seemingly went on forever, and often didn't seem like they followed the melody of the original piece...your intro put that into perspective. I could be completely wrong, but to me, given the times as you stated, music (Jazz in this case) was a portal for these awesome human beings and musicians, to escape into their own worlds where they truly were free...You've given me new ears Jay...can't wait to start cranking some good old time jazz tomorrow and see what I hear...Thank you and be well.

[@bettersax]

Thanks. Going back and listening to the lineage of all this music helps us enjoy the more contemporary stuff even more. Puts everything in better perspective. Also, it's normal to not always have a full appreciation for the bebop era music at first.

[@thethesaxman23]

I was so thrilled to see that Hank Mobley made the list! He is my personal favorite and I think Soul Station is probably my favorite jazz album! The tracks swing so hard and his solos are so lyrical that they are practically their own melodies. He may not have been in the stratosphere like Coltrane or Sonny Rollins, but he was an absolute master at making music for the listener rather than for himself!

[@coleashley6010]

Hank Mobley has got to be one of the most underrated, yet amazing musician

[@justinberkley3909]

My friend Brett Kirby introduced me to Soul Station and described him as such: “he’s so in...always in...he’s laying it all out there and all of it...everything is right”

[@stevel6895]

Hank Mobley, the middle weight champion of the tenor sax, AKA Hankenstein ...

[@brunoturgeon7978]

Cameron Melendez Music ńh

[@caponsacchi9979]

I'd add to his Blue Note repertory his work as a sideman (e.g. his beautifully understated solo on Lee Morgan's "Ceora"). But also his work on Columbia (Sony) with Miles on "Live at the Blackhawk," Friday and Sat. nights. His solo on Friday night's "Bye Bye Blackbird" not only surpasses Miles' solo but is one of the most soulful, heart-rending statements ever played on a Selmer Mark VI.

[@jakestake5914]

12:17: "Dexter played the lick!"

[@fabianvanderknaap2102]

My hero

[@EmanSax03]

i was about to comment this too😂 what a mad lad

[@thethesaxman23]

lol I didn’t even catch that the first time around

[@phila2361]

Wondered if anyone else noticed 😁

[@isails-ispinnakers]

@@phila2361 17:56.. som'nnn like that....

[@sleepy-beagle]

Great tribute to the tenor saxophone players that played and lived through difficult times. I salute you.

[@lexbro]

Thank you for your deeply moving comments on the people who have suffered so much pain, grief, and ill treatment with such great dignity....as musicians and as people we all owe more to them than words will ever express

[@Redpackman]

You've got to have Zoot Sims in the A list. Glad he's in the "honorable mention," but he belongs at the top end. He made dozens of albums and the general consensus was that all of them "swung." Zoot believed that one should hear the melody and then the artist could go from there but never stray so far that you forgot what he was playing...or thought they forgot. He had the most wonderful jazz lines out there. He could play hot and fast...Check him with Gerry Mulligan's band playing "Apple Core," or in his rare performance from Yamagata, Japan (on KZbin) playing "The Very Thought of You." The latter being so tender and musical it will absolutely melt you. Zoot is the top of my tenor list. You knew what he was playing and you liked it.

[@cliveastle9372]

THIS video is required listening over and over and over for all Tenor players! Just now I watched it again and learnt so much more that I didn't hear earlier. Thanks Jay for all that you do.

[@ralphgillies8614]

Time spent in Copenhague, París, Vietnam in 58, & 59 listening to these masters is why I play jazz on different saxes. I am 82 and still working to play better.

[@beefart100]

Thanks Jay, your acknowledgement of the black American sources and the cultural riches of this music is so apt at this time. Such an important message!

[@Filipe_Alexandre_]

I love to listen you playing, and I love the way you talk, being so sincere and sentimental. You are such a good person Jay, for real.

[@SStone-dm7es]

First time I ever heard a white jazz musician talk so honestly about the legacy, social and racism situation of/for black players back in the day. Still a bit hairy now too, sadly. Kudos to you, man. You said it very well!

[@directcurrent5751]

Said it very well

[@robwest36]

He’s talking more than listening 😢

[@tanozen7544]

Both of your videos about Tenor and Alto players really are inspring! The informations that you give about the backgrounds of the musicians, their embauchers, their equipments, their most used licks are very inspirational. I hope to see more of these videos. Thank you for what you are doing, you made me practice my alto sax until I can’t anymore :) I’ll be waiting for your videos

[@timobesamusca9332]

Dexter, Stan & Hank are my personal favourites! Thx for the video and the historical perspective you gave, love that! Also the little facts about the horns, the mpc etc they used. And the footage of Parker cracking up next to The Hawk was beautiful, first time I saw this! Thx Jay 🙏🏼

[@francistaylor5097]

Good man, Jay. Not even watched the list yet but wanted to comment on your intro. This is why I watch your channel and have purchased a course from your store. I completely agree with everything you said at the start. Thank you for your honesty and integrity.

[@beezelite]

Thank you for your opening statement regarding the origins and the hardship that the musicians underwent just to give birth to it. These are great videos and I'm sure we all appreciate your effort to educate. I'm a bassists and grew up in a house where my mother collected all of the great tenor players, in particular. Brings back a lot of memories!

[@richardcomard4223]

I took a class at Hunter college in the 80's and Milt Hinton taught the class. He had us over his house(the whole class) for a BBQ on Long island. He asked me to go next door and ask Jackie for some mustard. I knock on the door and Illinois Jaquet(Jackie) handed me the mustard and said to say hi to Milt. Fun stuff.

[@rodimusgamer7620]

Lucky

[@alisonross5970]

Thank you Jay! Can't wait for the second & third sets, so many wonderful players. So very heartening to hear your comments on racism, injustice and equality and how jazz is inescapably intertwined with the history of the music. Peace & Love through music xx

[@jimmyb1133]

Zoot Sims ! I remember seeing him live in NYC in a small night club . I think the club name was, The Half Note ? Not sure ... the thing I always remember was listening to Zoot warming up off stage and it was like listening to an actual performance .. I was so amazed. It sounded like water flowing it was so fast and smooth hearing him blazing through the scales ....

[@Zynn16]

I found your channel about 3 weeks ago and I love it!! I've recently purchased an alto sax (P Mauriat) after taking a break for over 10 years and listening to your channel and taking you lessons, I'm happy I picked it back up!! Thanks, Jay, for the sax history lessons and your amazing classes!!!

[@MrJColtrane68]

I’d put Charlie Rouse up there. He had that distinctive sound that you can pick a mile away

[@kmvenezia4337]

I never missed Dexter when he played the Vangaurd in the 80's. Nice job J, It's virtually an impossible task.

[@Thegdeaniii]

Pharoah Sanders, Charles Lloyd

[@deneencorcoran5917]

My dad had solo albums also. SOMETHING- CORKY CORCORAN PLAYS SOMETHING, CORKY CORCORAN TRIO, CORKY CORCORAN PLAYS EVERYWHERE done with the Canada symphony Orchestra. He has been deemed the ballad master and you forgot him. Cant believe that. 24 years and no credit from media hardly at all. But when he passed, in 1979 all three of his kids Danny Deneen, and his oldest Deborah each recieved a plaque from the govenor for his contribution to the jazz era from 1940'-through 1977. Really an honor to have recieved thatt....

[@SuperBandgeek1994]

we should get a soprano and baritone version of this also!

[@steveelsonnyc]

Jay. What a lovely intro to this wonderful video! So important to discuss the reality of racism in this context. Such reverence for the music requires us to understand and fight ongoing injustices at every turn. Much work to do, sadly.

[@vKarl71]

Thanks for your excellent introduction, reminding all of us of the destructive pressures of racism on all these great artists, pressures that surely shortened their lives. This is a wonderful list of great tenor men. And fantastic players on the scrolling list at the end, one of my faves being Johnny Griffen. He didn't have quite the kind of career or (as far as I know) influence of some of the others but his playing could have an explosiveness that was just electrifying. There are a couple of recordings of him with Bud Powell that are astounding. I love these videos - Thank You!!

[@dr.a4707]

Hey Jay -- Another fine job presenting important music in its context. Your words about these players reflecting their lives through their music are timely, sincere and noteworthy. The list you've put together here is thoughtful, impressive and representative of the best of the era. Aspiring players are offered a smorgasbord of some of the very finest tenor players in jazz. Well done!

[@bettersax]

thanks!

[@scratchedvinyl8462]

Ike Quebec! His playing on Heavy Soul is so unbelievably expressive. Great to see Mobley make the cut. Lovely video, Jay -- with a great message.

[@wimlange8833]

Well spoken intro, Jay. I totally agree. 10 inspirational tenor players for sure. Illinois Jaquet, Dexter Gordon and Sonny Rollins synchronise most with my inner sax strings, though...☺

[@jp2861]

Love this list. A favorite album of mine is Coleman Hawkins Encounters Ben Webster. Thanks for all you're doing for the saxophone world

[@EVOWORLD13]

Hi Jay! Thanks for another great video! You included almost all of my favorite tenor men! I saw Stan Getz live, and I had a chance to talk to him. He was onstage smoking a cigarette, and when it was time for him to play, he stuck it on his sax! My favorite Tenor Sax is a Martin, Naked Lady, with an Otto Link mouthpiece! One of my favorite tenor men is Grover Washington JR. I saw him live and he put on a great show! I know he is not known as a straight ahead Jazz player, but he is definitely worth checking out! Please keep up the good work! :-)

[@Simon.the.Likeable]

John Gilmore - often neglected because of his long tenure in Sun Ra's bands. However, the story of Trane jumping up on stage to announce his greatness and requesting a post-gig lesson must mean something in tenor sax folklore.

[@abaachi13]

Dexter Gordon is my favorite sax player as well. He had it all... not to mention his "swag" was just incredible. I can listen to his versions of "Body and Soul' and "Tanya" all day everyday. These guys were Gods. Excellent list, I agree with it 100%. Thank you so much for sharing it, because many new players have no clue as to who these giants were.

[@synesthesian7]

Jay, Great tribute to those Jazz Tenors.,Sam Rivers is one I first heard and whose sound I was eager to emulate because of the raw primal elements of expressiveness I heard on not only on Tenor but on flute and piano as well. His 1972 Album “Hues” is one of my favorites and on which he, along with trio Barry Atschul, and Cecil McBee, take us through mysterious and uncharted areas of a jazz jungle wilderness. Sam exhibits such impeccable command of harmony on Saxes and flute that absence harmonic accompaniment isn’t even missed.

[@rollandmakinano1744]

I whole heartily agree. The old school jazz players from big band to bebop and the small quartet compared to the younger jazz musicians especially abroad, there is a subtle difference, even though their technique are the same of our older jazz musicians, the old school musicians had that smooth gritty soulful sound like you said, it reflected the era of that time span. Thanks for the history lesson. Music Appreciation 101.

[@wadestewart5407]

My favorite list to date. Insightful, respectful and fun your presentation highlights the humanity of a difficult topic and provides a new lens through which to approach the music. To think that such beauty could come forth through the heartbreak and pressure endured by the artists is astonishing. Thank you, Jay.

[@artgrusensky121]

let's get James Moody in there somewhere. His recordings never matched his live performances. What a beautiful spirit he was too.

[@SacBillM3]

Agreed!

[@AndalusianIrish]

And his flute playing!

[@edleifer6719]

Try 4A and 4B if you like James Moody.

[@softsoftsoft]

thank you so much for acknowledging what black culture did for jazz music without sweeping it under the rug

[@brianclausen2344]

Awesome selection of some really great and influential Tenor players from that time. I especially loved seeing Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins playing. Coltrane... such a musician! Thank you also for the push on recognizing these players' lives within the prejudice and discrimatory times they lived in! Well said, man! Cool!

[@donniem.walker5158]

Nicely done Jay, I’ve enjoyed this immensely! I grew up listening to many of the Jazz musicians. I was forced to play the Trombone. My heart was in the Saxophone! Now retired, I will enjoy the Alto Saxophone! Racism will continue because of the fear of Greatness! If the Legislature isn’t changed from 300 years prior, nothing will change! Equality and Economic Equality will never to achieved!! We’re still suffering today in 2020.....sadly enough! But thank you for your understanding? So much has been stolen from our Culture and still is!

[@maliqued.wilkerson8327]

Thanks for taking the time to recognize the influence that African Americans have had not just on Jazz, but in American music in general. Crazy to think that there once was a time when we weren’t allowed to sit at a table in certain clubs, but we were good enough to play in them. Thank you Jay. And I’d love to see you spend some time on Joe Henderson. He’s a BEAST!!!

[@bradyplaysbari9866]

Thank you for including Hank Mobley! He's my favorite sax player and Soul Station is also my favorite album.

[@amenentuet]

HANK MOBLEY: NO ROOM FOR SQUARES !!!

[@patemblen3644]

That''s a list loaded with some absolutely beautiful music. It was so gorgeous to listen to! Thanks so much Jay, love your taste and your decency.

[@michaelshaw8426]

Thank you Jay. Apart from your great video on Tenor players...your comments on racism and the contribution of black American culture to music I (we) love is so very correct. At the age of 67, I play, I listen, I never comment, this time it’s wrong to stay silent! I watch lots of your videos, and find them inspiring and informative. Thanks.

[@bettersax]

Thanks Michael

[@model-tube3917]

Thanks for the intro context setting. The points you make are at the Center of making Art. My favorite for reasons I am still trying to articulate is Lester Young. His music speaks to me.

[@ObeytheRussianBlue]

Give me Ben Webster’s “more with less” ALL DAY LONG! Would rather listen to Ben Webster than all the others, although I appreciate the technical wizardry of all the other “dense” stylists! Ben’s style is the ideal to me! Thanks for the list! 🚀

[@rwclaw1]

I second the motion! And no one owned "Stardust" like Ben. I must have listened to a dozen recordings of his playing that song, and he can break your heart just playing the melody.

[@tenorsfan7492]

@@rwclaw1 That may have been true until Herschel Evans' recording was discovered about ten years ago.

[@FognarFoehammer]

Jay, I loved this video as well as the one on the alto players. Your analysis was very helpful and I really learned a lot. Keep ''em coming!

[@von.jazzaesthetic]

The words in your introduction put me in a state of perpetual frozen animation. I literally couldn't move. Your forthright honesty and truthfulness hit me straight to the core of my soul. I just couldn't believe what I hearing. I am so overwhelmed and overjoyed by your words of acknowledgement and historical accuracy of the time periods of this, America's Original Artform was created and who were the innovators and spiritually gifted geniuses that developed this sound. And the term you called it "Black American Music" still has me buzzin! Your honesty and empathy rang truthfully from your heart, and I am so very grateful that I found your YT channel to experience it. My name is Von Coulter and I am a Program Director/Music Director for a start up internet radio station that is connected with a group in Oklahoma City, OK. To develop a State Of The Art World Class Museum dedicated to the preservation of America's Original Artform, what we know as Black American Classical Music. "From The Belly Of The Slaveship's".

[@martinkimber1203]

Been listening to a lot of Scott Hamilton lately ,love his sound .

[@ericgrum]

I'm with you re Scott Hamilton

[@ericgrum]

...More contemporary era, though

[@mildhenry]

Nice one Jay.....rightly mentioned the political and historical background to this iconic music. Difficult choice of who to leave out of the list but I think you nailed the main 'leaders' Love your 'Better Sax' video's, keep up your great work!

[@thelaxophonist1644]

I'm from Kenya. About 10 years ago, while in college, I went to the States for a semester abroad, and my jazz orchestra instructor (Jason Harms) told me to listen to Dexter Gordon's 'GO'. It completely changed my life! Dexter Gordon remains to be one of my all-time 'Heroes of the Horn'.

[@edleifer6719]

Our man in Paris isn't bad either, but Dexter Gordan had quite a few really mice recordings.

[@eddiebowers3437]

Just listened to about an hour of BetterSax. What a great series of clips helping to build understanding and appreciation. Also intelligent comments on the impact of racism on musical culture. Thanks so much!

[@rkomada88]

Harold Land needs some love. Remember Joy Spring, with Clifford Brown...............

[@flaminghakama]

It may be blasphemous to say this, but I enjoyed Land's playing with Clifford & Max much more than their other tenor.

[@fullriptide]

Flaming Hakama lol not blasphemous, but it is definitely blasphemy to refer to sonny Rollins as “the other tenor”..

[@glyphics1943]

Let’s have some love for Lucky Thompson, another expat who is overlooked.

[@SELMER1947]

Oh yes and his " Just one more chance " record is one of the greatest tenor solo ever !!!

[@lawrencebrazier1894]

Absolutely. M Davis said Thompson was one hellava saxophonist

[@NomadJournalistNews]

I love hearing you play these songs! Because of the audio quality, sometimes it' hard to understand just how good these songs really were.

[@kentmatsui2724]

Jay you have brought light in a dark time for many of us who love music especially in the venue of saxophone and jazz. In my island vernacular “Mahalo!”!

[@RevolutionTutors]

I love all of your videos, but this (and the alto video of the same style) must be my favorite. What a way to get exposed to more saxophonists. I love the experience of listening alongside you so much I think it would be really cool if you made more content like this. Of just listening to a song or live performance and you pausing it every so often and explaining The Who, what and why, transposing licks etc. I would listen to hours of content like that and grow a lot as a saxophonist I imagine. I don’t know if it’s just me, but jazz seems particularly hard to get into by just listening on my own. There is so much history that a new listener lacks. Who is playing, what are they known for, what song are they playing and what is it’s significance. More of this type of content would be a huge help. Either way, you have been killing it. Good luck with that upcoming event in the UK. I’m based out of NY but was half considering jumping on a plane to come out. Keep it up legend.

[@bettersax]

Thanks for the comment. Have more like this planned.

[@jessstuart7495]

Joe Henderson should have made this list.

[@echoes675]

@Marco Huevo Would Wayne Shorter would fall into this group of tenor player too do you think?

[@lawrencebrazier1894]

right

[@tonyalcock2187]

Wow Jay, Perchance, I agree(d) with every nuance of your introduction to this post. As an ageing white European who fell in love jazz music sixty years ago, and one who has read many books on the subject, I’d not really made the emotional connection between the lives of these artists and the power and beauty of their music, until now! Your 21.5 minutes of education and examples has left me speechless; I only hope these few words make sense.

[@bettersax]

Thank you Tony, much appreciated.

[@wolfgangsuehrer5405]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS AND VERY OPEN-HEARTED APPRECIATION OF THE BLACK MUSICIANS' CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LISTENING PLEASURE OF JAZZ LOVERS ALL OVER THE WORLD. How much poorer would our earthly existence be without their artistry?

[@parker550]

Hank Mobley... Glad you included him the most underrated player of that era, lyrical improviser and no chromatical blagger... Massive discography.. Bop to ballads, tone to die for... 'I should Care'.. Wow... Ike Quebec... Blue and Sentimental album proves his finesse... Good collation... But I'd never doubted it👍🎷

[@juancpgo]

Don Byas I think was the most underrated one.

[@SidLaw500]

Mobley is special in so many ways.

[@vinniebailey3797]

Oh one more thing, Gene Ammons is the most unsung of that entire group...his sound was enormous and he had so much soul! Jug is my favorite!

[@KevinKingII]

Same here! Biggest sound man.....

[@BernellJonesII]

I heard that Lou Donaldson swears that Jug was the best tenor player out there

[@KevinKingII]

@@BernellJonesII Me and lou agree! He is my personal favorite. The great thing about saxophone is there are so many killer players!

[@jerih.1976]

Hello Jay I literally just discovered your channel. With that being said... As a blk woman & a lover & appreciator of the jazz genre (I also play the clarinet & keyboard) I commend your commentary at the beginning of your 📹. Like you said, if he wasn't for these amazing gifted & talented blk American jazz musicians... The genre will not be where it is today. I've study a lot of this cats over the last 30 yrs working on perfecting my craft as a musician & it's nice to know a person like yourself can understand the sacrifices & tormented those who came before me had to deal with in order to bring their 🎶 to the masses.

[@dennistaylor7655]

That is a pretty good list and I can’t imagine kicking any of them off. Dexter Gordon and GO is one of my all time favorites. I could have listened these guys all day! Well done Jay!

[@willtisdale9899]

Thank you Jay. These history lessons are my favorite videos you make.

[@willtisdale9899]

Also, Sonny Rollins is my fave ;)

[@bettersax]

Thanks, glad to hear that.

[@taylorchurch5580]

Booker Ervin would have made my list somewhere up there

[@NadavHbr]

Great list and great video. For me - the number one omission is Don Byas, then come Wardell Gray and Benny Golson (if we focus on pre 1960 recordings). I would replace Jug and Stan Getz, or even Mobley if indeed we concentrate on pre 1960

[@AshtonDeVaughn]

Everything about this video was phenomenal and much appreciated! Thank you so much for being INTENTIONAL. You’ve earned a fan!

[@santih5043]

Again, this series is terrific. I'm a visual artist and professor but I also play jazz drums. I appreciate the connections that you make between music, art, and history. These musicians have been just as influential to my work as a painter as the work of visual artists. This list was perfect, but I'd also like to mention one of my favorite ballad interpreters-- Ike Quebec.

[@StephenB_LE9]

Jay - a really sensitive intro and close out. Thank you.

[@andrea22213]

Impossible to include everyone, but, Lucky Thompson, Wardell Gray and how about Dick Morrissey?

[@gradyparks5249]

Jay, you did an awesome job putting this list together with the video clips. Excellent choices and most importantly, your reasons why!

[@bensherman1628]

this list is awesome next do bari players PLEASE (and include lars gullin)

[@wimlange8833]

Yes, bari players next, please ☺

[@andrew4282]

Why not soprano... Kenny G😍😍😍😍

[@kiptronix]

yes bari please...include joe temperly fot us brits.

[@stul2224]

I was the Village Vanguard when Dexter Gordon returned to the USA - recorded live that night. I'll Never forget it.

[@richardcomard4223]

I saw him there also. Unforgettable.

[@andrewbillek9209]

I was also there on the first night - I had a red carnation in my lapel!

[@richardcomard4223]

@@andrewbillek9209 that's not very nice. Why would I make something like that up. Don't insult Mr. Metcalf with rude remarks, when people are trying to exchange ideas and experiences. Go to Twitter.

[@richardcomard4223]

@@andrewbillek9209 I looked through all the replies and you were the only scumbag. Fuck you.

[@dcorum7120]

Jay, thank you for the opening commentary on racism, it was well articulated and much appreciated. I was introduced to Jazz as youngster back in the late 60's early 70's by my older brother. He would have me identify different instruments as he drove around town, in a little Triumph Spitfire, in the early evening listening to a variety of music, but primarily Jazz. Thankfully he also introduced me to your Alto and Tenor sax lists today (history repeats...). I wanted to highlight my favorite 50-60's era tenor sax man... Charlie Rouse. I saw his name in your list at the end of this video, but I wanted to highlight highlight him in this commentary. He is one of my favorites from the bebop/hard bop era's of Jazz. BLM!

[@johnmarshall2048]

I must say I have enjoyed the alto and tenor vids you have posted. When I first started playing tenor I listened to a lot of Ace Cannon, Stan Getz, and Sil Austin. You included Getz, and I think Austin and Houston Person would have rounded out your ending list nicely. Thanks for another great video.

[@kpoudavoff]

Dex lives. Btw it’s Johnny Griffin (it was Griffen in the end captions). Nice video Jay!

[@bettersax]

Thanks, I guess you didn't notice my other mistakes then...

[@Simon.the.Likeable]

*Booker Ervin

[@HowardJacksongroover]

Yeah man the Griffin and Stanley Turrentine. Hank Mobley was underated, but Ltd was and is my favourite. Great list very hard, thanks Jay x

[@HowardJacksongroover]

Long Tall Dexter!

[@DHall-kr4vl]

Splendid presentation. That list was short of some great names but that is a good problem. Thanks for your scholarship. David Hall

[@alejandrosax7094]

Thank you for this huge amount of important information. Also thank you for putting on a certain order, it is so important for musicians when a teacher show you what to listen to, what is more important and what s less important to improve, to learn technique, style or any other topic in saxophone study.

[@CharEst13]

I just bought your Mastery Bundle, excited to learn from you Jay! I've been watching your videos for the past 6 months and finally took the plunge and bought everything I need to get started.

[@bettersax]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@Aaron-Qman]

Well said! Great list as well🎶 But let's also not forget that most of all genres we listen to in America came from blacks. Everyone has to acknowledge and realize that Rock and Roll, Country & Blues were created by African Americans. The creation of jazz is just one of many accolades.

[@bettersax]

All popular music from the 20th century onward is a direct descendant of black culture and influence.

[@Aaron-Qman]

Better Sax Exactly my point! Thank you for making great content as always and keeping it real.

[@msavage7779]

Great list, and greater message for truth and understanding! I vote for you next list to include Eddie Harris.

[@rudyjoe7686]

"Listen Here" kicked off jazz for me. I was just a teenage kid but that set me on my way into jazz til this day at 67.

[@melknights5027]

Tubby Hayes was also an excellent tenor saxophone player

[@andyisacsson7503]

I’m watching a lot of the vids on this channel and each one is great , this is a particular gem…with a message that’s needs to be said.

[@joeblankenship377]

Johnny Griffin, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, and Charlie Rouse would've made my tenor list. And now I'm really interested to see the bari sax list from the pre-1960 era. Lemme see, there's Gerry Mulligan, Cecil Payne, Serge Chaloff, Leo Parker, Pepper Adams, Sahib Shihab, Harry Carney.... so that's 7. Hopefully I learn a new one. I'd never heard Leo Parker til a year or two ago. I'm guessing there's gotta be some more bari players flying under the radar.

[@brianbillings6815]

Love Lockjaw Davis. Under-rated.

[@Growald]

Claire Daly for sure !

[@frankmcdonough2086]

Saw Lockjaw with the Basie band in Liverpool in the 50's. WHat a player. What emotion!

[@billcomstock835]

This is wonderful! I love everything about this. Please, do all the saxes, especially soprano. 😁

[@bettersax]

Thank you! Will do!

[@sarahmicklewright]

Yes, seconded, awesome series, especially looking forward to a soprano one!

[@RevolutionTutors]

@@bettersax looking for the soprano version!!! Badly need it

[@nicolastrujillo3403]

I am loving this serie!! ❤️👀 wonder who is going to be the soprano and baritone list 👀😂 Excellent video man!!✊🏻 Just to mention two of my favorite tenor players. 1) Pete Christlieb! His style was amazing (he retired). The work that he did on the 60’s and 70’s in the band of the Tonigth Show was incredible! Check his recordings from the album Soaring by Bob Florence (The good limited edition). 2) Ed Calle. I mentioned a latino player last video, worth to mention another! Ed Calle has been super influential in tenor player in Latin America. His sound is full and has an incredible body!! There a video here on KZbin of him playing a cadenza on the tune Europa! It is amazing!! Again great video! Thank for sharing!!!

[@jkdurden]

I played tenor a long time ago and just recently returned to it. I have always enjoyed the sound but never had a vehicle, such as KZbin, to show me the players behind the tones I love. I personally love the sound of Illinois Jacquet. Who would have known he was from Texas? One more thing I’m sure the Texans will brag about...including this one. :) Thanks for the great video Jay. I really enjoy your comments, reviews and lessons. Keep ‘em coming. :). Make it a great one.

[@stilo2703]

Good list. I made my own list before watching: Trane, rollins, dex, mobley, lester, joehen, wayne shorter, hawk, getz, stitt (I know some of these guys were a bit after 1960 but Jay didn't have all of his list before 1960 so whatever)

[@ovidiugurban9601]

Amazing!!! Make part 2 and 3 ! Make this about Soprano and Bari

[@Danieldiazsax]

MyRackley lol the last one 😂😂😂

[@krzysiekkondrat2513]

@@MyRackley Kenny G is a piece of sh**, he plays boring pentatonic licks - listen Pat Metheny talking about him. And you forgot about Wayne Shorter, and Dave Liebman, he is great contemporary jazz saxophonist.

[@krzysiekkondrat2513]

@@MyRackley I didn't get it!

[@cookieman136]

MyRackley Leo P (Pelligrino) - Is that who you’re thinking of in the subway? Talk about innovative style - he belongs on the list.

[@florinneculai2552]

Finally, we see another good stuff, thanks Jay, all the best!

[@whydidyouresign]

N A I L E D I T! Jay... Thank you so much. As I've considered returning to the saxophone, I've thought about picking up an alto (which I've never played). But when I hear the tenor, especially Hawkins and Webster, my heart skips a beat. The tenor has such a rich history thanks to the many wonderful contributors to its repertoire. Someday I will again have a tenor and can pay tribute in my own very small way. Thank you for laying it out there for us!

[@bettersax]

thanks