Top 10 Soprano Sax Players in Jazz

PATREON / peterandwillanderson
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[@judah49]

Grover Washington Jr. was incredibly expressive on the soprano sax. He technique and intonation were extraordinary. Classic trained.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Agree!

[@judah49]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Also, what’s the issue with Kenny G? Clearly, is it because his music does not use a 2-5-1 chord progressions and well defined jazz vocabulary; is it his sound (some say he regularly plays sharp, or that he doesn’t play jazz standards? He seems to have the facility to play Trane or Byrd.

[@judah49]

Kenny has the facility, the “chops” but he also has a formula musically that he doesn’t deviate. Limited imagination. I’ve seen him live several times; it was always the same approach, sometimes it was years between seeing him…but the same but good. Like peanut butter and jelly…good but not too many!

[@betterthanisound]

Thanks for taking time to put this list together, I’m a mere home hobby amateur sax lover with tenor and soprano, both of which I love for different reasons, I’ve always had a slight biased towards the soprano, even if time and skill are not on my side a little later than some in life, but this list really gives me something to work on. I’m familiar with a few, I’d say the obvious ones, but I’ll now research the music of all of these a little more. I’ve not found as much on soprano, so again thank you.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Together,we can bring back the popularity of the soprano :)

[@jonasadamson6645]

Great list of soprano sax players. I was glad that Lucky Thompson got credit as one of the best soprano players. Another wonderful player on the soprano sax was Zoot Sims.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Hi Jonas, I love Zoot but I'm not too familiar with his soprano playing. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the tip :)

[@jean-marchoang8026]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson thanks for the list !.. you may check "Soprano Sax" by Zoot and I would also add Jan Garbarek and John Surman who have stunning tones on the soprano..

[@JasonRodgers01]

Thanks for making this video. I was primarily a jazz tenor sax player for many years but TMJ issues made it difficult for me to play. Now I’m hoping to make a comeback exclusively on the soprano which for some reason does not give me issues. I’ve been looking for a good list of soprano players for inspiration and here it is! Thank you!!!

[@gregrosander3657]

Great list once again. I really only have one issue, as much as I enjoy and respect your playing it would be great to hear an actual sample from each of the players on the list so we can understand what makes them so great.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Fair enough! Can't play too much music for copyright reasons. Thanks for watching. We appreciate it :)

[@schienenlaufer697]

Hello from Hamburg, Germany! I missed an old soprano man, whom noone would regard as such: Johnny Hodges. He played wonderful themes and solos until he stopped that instrument in the early forties. Everyone knows him only as a great alto sax player, but he, a student of Sidney Bechet, should be kept in mind!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Great point! Johnny Hodges is one of the best. Duly noted :)

[@jeremystobingham2362]

Was gonna comment about Rabb myself.

[@josemanuel2244]

Many people, audience and musicians, enter the world of Jazz by Kenny G. Even a lot of saxophone players got interest in playing because of him ,

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Sorry for the joke...

[@thewarhenk]

You are a fabulous player! Kenny Davern was my primary classical clarinet teacher in New Jersey! FWIW, I adore Jay Beckenstein on soprano. Many of the contemporary guys like Euge Groove also play a nice horn. I’m not bad myself!

[@gisaac46]

I have music by everyone on this list except Olivier Franc, but if you don't have Grover Washington Jr on this list it's incomplete. He played fusion, smooth and traditional jazz. Grover recorded with Dexter Gordon.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Fair point. Grover could definitely be on the list. Thanks for chiming in. Oliver Franc, too!

[@gisaac46]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Thanks, I just get a little salty when it comes to Grover. He was unfairly criticized because he became wealthy playing fusion jazz or whatever label it gets these days. It seems that if you aren't broke, drug addicted and playing in a back alley salon somewhere that you aren't a legitimate jazz musician. Grover had a unique and beautiful sound on all four horns. If I had criticism of Grover is he didn't play the baritone enough. His last recording was a classic album and his baritone saxophone playing brought tears to your eyes and a smile on your face. Just beautiful. Sonny Rollins favorite soul saxophonist? Grover Washington Jr. Enough of my rant, I have a couple of your CDs and I enjoy your playing (both of you!).

[@mpcguy]

Grover definitely deserves a spot, not just for soprano but for pioneering smooth jazz

[@andrewcharley1893]

Love your comment.my sentiment completely.

[@sandyestes2652]

Excellent information!

[@satyamurti1229]

Jane Ira Bloom is missing on your list. She plays exclusively the soprano sax and won the Down Beat critics poll 2020. I would rate her number one.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Great suggestion. We should make a soprano players round 2 video. This video was hard to order, with players like John Coltrane and Sidney Bechet.

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

Bloom is "electric" soprano, her accessory is!

[@GermarDerron]

I listen to her.

[@ZieousZ]

10. Dave Liebman 9. Steve Lacy 8. Olivier Franc 7. Wayne Shorter 6. Branford Marsalis 5. Rahsaan Roland Kirk 4. John Coltrane 3. Bob Wilber & Kenny Davern 2. Lucky Thompson 1. Sidney Bechet

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Nice list

[@BKrystall]

John surman was another great soprano saxophone player. He also played baritone saxophone and bass clarinet.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks, I'm not familiar with that name. I'll have to check them out!

[@bruceackley8821]

Don’t sleep on Johnny Hodges’ soprano playing. You sound great btw!

[@Maltloaflegrande]

So glad to see Lucky Thompson not only in there, but so high up the list. Phenomenal player.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Lucky!

[@SariSax]

nice video man !

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you :)

[@EricSetiadi]

LOL number 0, Kenny G.... 🤐

[@Felixaltosax1994]

Hi Peter + Will! Do u have a recommendation for a book with jazz solos transcribed for soprano sax? So far I can only find good stuff for tenor, but I'm afraid that the range of notes doesn't fit perfectly when u use tenor sheet music with soprano. Thx in advance :)

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Check the solos page on our website! Any of the sax solos will work great for you. The transposed range is the same for all the saxes, so if you are reading a transposed solo it will be perfect. If you want to play along with the recording, you'll have to change the pitch of the recording, which many programs can do. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

Prof. Chris Vadala, ex-saxist with Chuck Mangione. London's Courtney Pine, In Jazz - Organic Real Jazz. Joe Temperney...(spelling) Ted Nash + Victor Goins Great list Informative mini biography Thanks 😘

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Great names. Joe, Victor and Ted were our wonderful saxophone teachers in college. Chris Vadala was a teacher of ours in Maryland when we were young. You hit the nail on the head :)

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson What a musical experience for which I envy you! (lgh) Thanks for the response and info.

[@carolynking4828]

You left out Kenny G!! He's my inspiration, so wonderful to hear his music as I'm learning the soprano sax myself now. I took it up last Christmas as it was a present from my dear hubby! I'm finding it quite challenging, but practising as much as I can, slowly improving. Had problems with notes squeaking, but working on my embouchure, putting more of the mouthpiece in my mouth seems to keep the squeaks at bay! Really enjoying playing though, and it's lovely playing simple versions of classical music.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Fair point, Carol. I'm glad you are enjoying the music and playing it with your husband. Thanks for tuning in!

[@carolynking4828]

I've got a Trevor James soprano sax, and I'm playing with Vandoren 3 strength and Hemker 3 strength reeds. I haven't changed my mouthpiece yet, still perfectly happy with Trevor James.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Cool thanks for the idea. Will check him out.

[@randahlahamanandacrawford6421]

I get really tired of people dissing other musician: ie Kenny G! Love him or hate him doesn't matter. Move on. He is doing what he loves. May we all be as successful by following our muse.

Joe Farrell, Eric Marienthal, Bill Evans? c'mon... ;)

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

😂

[@thegamingtaco6283]

do you have any tips for getting low notes out on soparno, I've been having some trouble especially with the lower octave E and D

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Might be an issue with your instrument. The pads are most likely leaking which might make it hard to make those notes speak well. I'd recommend taking the horn to a repair person.

[@caryheuchert]

I met Steve Lacy back in 1995. A wonderful musician.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Woah, that's amazing!

[@robertwimer]

Dude, I love your vibrato.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you :) Vibrato is what makes jazz

[@genobourn7423]

Your opinion . of course....Grover Washington Jr. mastered circular breathing.. For me Top 3..Next Kenny G and Boney James All Smooth Jazz ...he played with the times.

[@Eduardsax]

It´s a solid list, though I don´t really agree to the ranking. Some names of soprano players are missing: James Carter (does "Gardenias for Lady Day" ring any bell?), Jane Ira Bloom (terrific), Bob Mintzer (Yes, on ocasion he played the soprano), Jay Beckenstein (mainly fusion, but his soprano timbre is gorgeous). There are brazilian sopranos players that I urge you to check out on KZbin: Mauro Senise (Vento Bravo - music performed), Mário Seve (O Cabra - music performed) and the great Daniela Spielmann. She is just amazing. Check her album Afinidades. She deserves a wider audience. P.S.: Not all tracks on "Gardenias for Lady Day" are on soprano. A great album, no less.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for the insight, I tried to pick soprano players who play very actively on the instrument, not just occasionally. I'll have to check out all those you mentioned. Thanks so much for tuning in!

[@EarthHeavenMusic]

Careful if a clarinetist gets close to you! The Bb clarinet and soprano don’t share the same range…

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

hahahaha

[@johnrogers7411]

You got a typo on Sidneys birth year pretty certain he was born 1897 not 1987

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Of course, thank you!

[@PerrinPascal]

BEAUTIFUL Tone and intonation (not easy on a soprano sax....)....What is your mouthpiece ? (trademark..tip opening...)

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks! It's a Selmer E mouthpiece

[@bobleckiejr]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Selmer E??? Which Selmer E? Super Session?

[@suonatoreincognito1057]

Molto interessante grazie

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you :)

[@davidm2189]

Zoot sims, Jane ira bloom, Grover Washington jr, Gerry Niewood, Chris Potter.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

YES, you'll find most of those players on our other TOP 10 lists :)

[@israelvalencia7219]

Groover Washington Jr., Bob Mintzer, Bill Evans, Najee, James Moody, Joshua Redman, Carlos Averhoff, Germán Velazco, César López

[@bobblues1158]

I hope you are not disrespecting Kenny G. He kept the instrument in the public eye and he can really play some horn. Please respect any player for their effort. Their playing might not fit your aesthetic values. But they are doing their best to bring beauty to the listener who is not necessarily a musician. I am 78 , i play for the people, not other musicians. Except for the players on the bandstand with me.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

No disrespect. Just making a joke :)

[@jabulaniharvey]

John Lurie, Andy Sheppard

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for the names :)

[@kwootamuckbear9294]

I’m right up there☮️🎶🎵🎶🎷

[@mikeaehm]

What is about Emile Parisien? Great player from France.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Never heard of her

[@mikeaehm]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson he is male:-)

[@michaelsquires1218]

My favorites are Sidney Bechet and Johnny Hodges, but that's a long time ago.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

You are spot on with those names!

[@michaelsquires1218]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson The first soprano solo I remember was Hodges' when he played as part of the Goodman 1938 Carnegie Hall concert, and later I heard Bechet playing on "China Boy" with Spanier. I have a 1923 Buescher soprano myself and am learning to play the Hodges' solo on "Rent Party Blues", 1926, very much in Bechet's style.

[@wcakgilleran]

Constructive criticism. Just say the number then the name. We know the topic. Otherwise great video and I am going to subscribe to your channel!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you for watching! Will do for the future

[@olivierespagne6035]

Stefano di Batista could be added to this list

[@evelioroque3706]

Top 10 according to... you? WHERE IS BOB MINTZER?

[@KaBugaAtKaUlpot]

nice... new friend here.. stay connected..

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thanks for checking out our video!

[@eveline1986]

at side of eric dolphy coltrane was sounding as a duck

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

😂

[@EarthHeavenMusic]

As famous as he was Bechet is sometimes ironically called the goat in France. Forgive me I prefer Kenny G who popularized the soprano thanks to his tone, and, I believe, pushed the Chinese to produce curvies, some of them excellent. The curve also has an effect on the tone (cf straight alto since you mentioned R Kirk). Also, smooth jazz is part of jazz. Wish I could play like D Koz. Nice video though, sampling each player would have been even better. When you hear someone play, who cares about their bio? Keep up with the good work…

[@jimdomjazz]

I wonder why Johnny Hodges does not appear inthis interesting list

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Yes, he was an alternate. We weighed a lot of factors... Hodges is an incredible soprano player for sure!

[@warrenblanco4105]

1 got to be Kenny G!

[@7quercus77]

Is this MKVI or Yanagisawa?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Bingo, Mark VI!

[@romainvoeller]

Absolutely love your #0 pick........

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

😂

[@danprice2381]

Awesome video. I was thinking the video was about to end after mentioning the number 1 sax player, then I heard number 0, Kenny G! Lol

[@philippeduperrin8624]

Comparing doesn't really make sens. How do you measure the value of each musician ? Not easy. As far as I'm concerned, I would say that Shorter and Lacy are the top ones. And you forgot Joe Lovano who is a real master. Joe also plays tarogato (sort of wooden soprano) and it would have been interesting to talk about this instrument coming from Hungary. Joe Lovano and Scott Robinson are real masters of this instrument.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

It's always nice to start a discussion, I hope I have!

[@MelissaGarza]

LOL number 0 Kenny!!!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Of course! What else? hehe

[@MelissaGarza]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson by the way, Britan's Got Talent Julian Smith is pretty good by the way! Check out his KZbin. Have you done a top 10 list of living soprano sax players?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I don't know Julian Smith. Can you reply with a youtube link? Thx

[@MelissaGarza]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Here is his channel kzbin.info/door/l8-wfwoyrDBhKAjbkwqgpw and here is the link the BTG 2009 audition. He was a semi-finalist kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoS3YZ16grhjbc0.

[@brianbillings6815]

I'd have ranked Wayne Shorter higher but was happy to see Sydney Bechet as #1.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Bechet had to be number 1 otherwise we’d get in trouble ;)

[@mambojazz1]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson 😂😂 But....Branford is also over Wayne😂😂 Joking. I know they arent really in an order lol. Great work!

[@mambojazz1]

Nah. Sidney Bechet made Wayne Shorter possible in the first place 😉

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Very true, Mambojazz!

[@ericgrosch8073]

The late George Probert would have blown these players away. See 2:20 and, especially 2:38 in the link of Milneberg Joys in kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2bJZ6Gcr9Robrc and the collective improvisation in the final chorus of Jazz Me Blues kzbin.info/www/bejne/laLIZHSCd7mnjpY

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Cool! Thanks for sharing :)

[@andrewworthy4931]

What about Jan Garbarek; or Courtney Pine?

[@sixteenman]

And what about Zoot Sims and Grover Washington Jr.?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Nice ideas

[@robbiemanzin3884]

Poor Kenny! :-D

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Hahaha

[@edwarddesenne6153]

I use the same SELMER Mark V1 soprano saxophone with the same Selmer ebonite E mouthpiece and in this audio you can hear its variable tonality and perfect intonation used by Tony Coe , the British saxophone star on soprano with a Vandoren Java 3 reed. For louder , more aggressive modern style tones of course that Selmer would be not suitable !

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

You know a lot about saxophone equipment!

[@twelve_thirteen]

It could be none other than Sidney bechet!

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

YES

[@martinhoff2762]

To my ears Branford is #1 for his sound. And check out Chris Potter and Bob Reynolds.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I'm most familiar with Potter and Branford. Great soprano players...

[@saxorona]

Did you really leave out Steve Lacy????

[@tripridenedaim]

Stefano Di Battista !!!

[@kwootamuckbear9294]

And, Kenny G does not play jazz…stop-it already🎶🎵🎷

[@weverson698]

kenny g ?///////////???????

[@ivanjezek]

Do Kenny G playing Jazz?

[@MaxIsBackInTown]

Man this list is weird as fuck.. Branford Marsalis, Sidney bechet, Wayne shorter and Steve Lacy are all tied for first. Each one of them has and undeniably unique sound and approach to playing their instrument everyone else can fight for the other bottom slots….. btw Coltrane is one of my all time favorites musicians but his soprano sound is a hot dumpster fire.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

It's hard to choose. I would love to see your top 10 list. I'm sure it will be good! Thanks for checking this out.

[@michelesacco1]

amico mio non riesco a comprendere il perché' non e' citato Stefano Di Battista sopranista eccellente, dal suono meraviglioso e George garzone dal suono impressionante sul soprano . questa presentazione e' decisamente incompleta . ascolta Stefano di Battista Petite Luise kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYfSnn-ooZKjnrs e Coco Chanel kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIq0XnaehbR3pNU e George Garzone Central park West kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp-Xd6WBlthpnMU e Summertime kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2jKfXltndiUmK8 e Snow Place like home kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5K5eJ6KaNuSqKc . non si può' essere indiferenti di fronte a questi artisti e non citarli . infine il n 1 andrebbe a John Coltrane perché e' colui che ha rivoluzionato il modo di suonare il soprano ed e' per questo che poggi molti sassofonisti suonano il soprano strumento molto difficile da suonare .. my friend, I can't understand why Stefano Di Battista, an excellent soprano, with a wonderful sound, and George Garzone with an impressive sound on the soprano, are not mentioned. This presentation is decidedly incomplete. listen to Stefano di Battista Petite Luise kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYfSnn-ooZKjnrs and Coco Chanel kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIq0XnaehbR3pNU and George Garzone Central park West https ://kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp-Xd6WBlthpnMU and Summertime kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2jKfXltndiUmK8 and Snow Place like home www.youtube.com/watch?v= eaVGkT3v_rE . one cannot be indifferent to these artists and not mention them. finally the number 1 would go to John Coltrane because he is the one who revolutionized the way of playing the soprano and this is why many saxophonists play the soprano, a very difficult instrument to play..

[@Patricexyz]

Jan Garbarek?!?

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I have to check them out! Thanks for the tip

[@Patricexyz]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGK3m5yXjrqVfqc This a good one from Jan Garbarek.

[@jazldazl9193]

Amazing dearth of women

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

?

[@puravida1949]

Zoot Sims??

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I'm not so familiar with his soprano playing.

[@pabloguillermoarch]

Jan garbarek? 😢

[@jazztime4]

By mockingly making Kenny G your number “zero” pick (without even showing his image) you are disrespecting his incredible (improvisational) musicianship as well as the influence he has had on bringing the soprano to the forefront of saxophones within the general listening public. Granted, he might not be a mainstream jazz artist and some may insist that he “sold out” to pop music, but do millions of music fans know about the soprano sax by way of Sidney Bichet, or through the audience-pleasing sounds of Kenny G? Is it more important to be a true jazz purist, or to foster the love and inspiration of (saxophone) music within a wider audience? (from a working alto/soprano sax guy)🎷

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

sorry for an attempt at a little humor...

[@esiri65]

There was no need to mock Kenny G like that it wasn’t necessary but you did a great job with your line up there were people I hadn’t heard of before but Kenny G has a massive influence on millions the world over and you can’t deny his musicianship, he was the one person that made me play the instrument and I remain grateful for that

[@raciallyconfused]

Kenny G 4 LIFE!!!! I'll show myself out. Keep up the great work, fellas.

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Thank you, Kenny G 4eva :)

[@roderickberry2508]

While I respect your playing your list is not very good. Lib 10? Shorter 7 ?Branford 6? Dude you have got to get real and many aren’t on the list. O is accurate though ,and we won’t even say his name

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

I’m glad we agree on “0” hehe. I feel like we got most ot the greats into this list, even if we may disagree on the order. Soprano is a great instrument and too few played it :) any additions to the list you’d suggest?

[@roderickberry2508]

@@PeterAndWillAnderson Steve Wilson , Bob Sheppard , Bob Minzer , Azar Lawrence, Bill Pierce , Steve Grossman

[@Jaujau933]

The presenter needs to work on his sound 😱😱😱

[@espr7564]

🤣 Top 10 soprano players? Who says) ???

[@dominickcorsoe5543]

oooooo! nothing worse than a music snob of any genre. Apparently Grover didn't make the cut either

[@PeterAndWillAnderson]

Good suggestion