Top 7 Sax Players to Listen to for Sound Development

[@fc1lyles]

... lol ... recording yourself, then listening to it ... very painful ... but absolutely needed to develop your sound and musicianship.

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL

[@BeachBoi1000]

What do you use to record yourself? Video or voice recorder?

[@Sirvalorsax]

@@BeachBoi1000 I use my phone

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

Right on bro. In my younger days I focused on Grover Washington, Stanley Turrentine, Wilton Felder, Coltrane and Brecker. Over the past 10 years I have been focusing mainly on my own sound. I practice at least 2 to 4 hours 4 times a week in a recording studio. I record myself quite a bit. I use a metronome and sometimes a tuner. I love my sound, which makes me want to practice and play even more. My tone continues to improve with time. I'll be 70 this month and I have never been better. Absolute truth to what you presented. Great job bro.

[@johnshin3410]

Sir, I really respect your experiences. I am very much inspired by your story. 2-4 hours 4 times a week practice and recording even in your 70. I’m just 47.and I’m afraid of recording my sax and listening to the sound. But now I’m courageous and want to do that. Thank you very much! From South Korea.

[@dennisgrunbeck1823]

Awesome, Jacque. I started playing bari back in 1968 and have been working on my sound ever since. In my mind, I model my sound after Pepper Adams, but I do have my own sound. I'm 67 and, like you, I feel that I have never sounded better. I am still using the Berg Larsen stainless steel mouthpiece that I got back in 1970. It's one of the last of the handmade Berg mouthpieces. I've tried new ones with the same specs and they just don't sound the same. Keep it up, Jacque!!

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

@@dennisgrunbeck1823 Hello Dennis. Glad to hear your are happy playing like me in our more mature years. Love the Bari, but always have leaned toward the Tenor. Always enjoyed listening to Pepper Adams, Gerry Mulligan, and Bruce Johnson (Maynard Ferguson "Superbone Meets the Badman"). Those are the Bari players the stand out to me. I've played hard rubber mouthpieces up until recently. From a recommendation from Mark Maxwell (16 months ago), I switched from a hard rubber Morgan Excalibur 6* to a Jody Jazz DV 7. The Jody Jazz DV7 is the best mouthpiece I have ever played. Very free blowing, great intonation and ease of altissimo, but can still get a great tone at low volumes. Combined with the Legere Signature reeds, in a 3.25 strength, I feel I have the perfect setup. Excellent in all registers. Very good response and good tone. I am very happy now. I can now focus more on playing and recording. Thanks for your reply. Keep practicing!

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

@@johnshin3410 . Yes you need to record yourself so you can her your flaws and correct them. Over time you will hear an improvement in your sound. Work hard and it will pay off.

[@comics-on]

I think this list could have been expanded to include Paul Desmond. Every note that man played was weighted against a feather. That constant awareness and mindfulness was super rare in jazz especially during the bop era.

[@shirleyfrancis4515]

He wasn't an exciting player though. Apart from his Take Five I didn't like anything else by him. His style was "feeble" to me.

[@km6206]

nah. Might be one of the last saxophonists to listen to, haha.

[@realrockomaniac4212]

Da schlafen mir die Füsse ein!

[@masonthomassax]

This channel is severely underrated. You’ve got a lot of wisdom and knowledge to share

[@regularnimnule9715]

REALLY useful video. I only started playing sax after playing guitar for over 40 years. So, I know what I need to listen for in guitarists but I definitely needed a heads up in orienting me to who to listen to and why re. sax. This was it. Thank you so much!

[@beckyn9338]

You speak truth. I have been listening to recordings of myself and I cannot believe what I am discovering. Ugh. So much more to fix than I ever imagined! BTW great list of players. Could not agree more. I was caught in the Kenny G controversy and now I need to go find that documentary. Thanks!

[@christianbond1561]

So glad to hear Ben Webster mentioned! Getz used to be my go to, then I heard Webster, Ammons, Hawkins, and Adderly. Great content thank you!🙏

[@robm667]

Thanks for No. 1 person to listen to. I play into a corner, I play in the bathroom, I play with play-along tracks, I play into a microphone with a small mixer and headphones. I was surprised by two things: 1) how easy is to swing away from classical timing (or the written time in any case); 2) how nice my tone is having worked on it so long. For the longest time, I strove for a nice tone, listening from behind the horn. I had no idea that the sound from behind the horn is so different than in front of the horn. I suppose that was a good thing, because listening while playing into a corner, or listening while playing into a mic with headphones, was such a pleasant surpise. It made me smile and practice more for nice tone and color over the whole range.

[@goinxnginx]

Excellent description of subtone, SirV! Drummers using brushes often impart the same "white noise" effect...heck, even vinyl records have an allure because of surface noise...human beings love to hear white noise and they often don't realize it. Subtone in human voices, whether speaking or singing, is also important. Some vocalists use it extremely effectively, and sax is, of course, close to the human voice in so many ways. Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge and skills with those of us who are striving to become better players.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@davidwood351]

I started playing saxophone because of Grover Washington Jr. Coltrane’s sound on ballads is superb also.

[@ongtengkee9225]

his sound is horrible compare to dexter

[@garythomas6443]

Kenny G???? You gotta be KIDDING!!!!

[@russelljazzbeck]

Number 1 is real! Every time I record myself and play it back I find something I can fix, which is exactly why I should be doing it more.

[@giovannifranzetti6214]

Love your content, always. I always discuss Jan Garbarek when talking about sound development and very often people go: "oh, that's right, I forgot about that guy and his beautiful sound".. interesting

[@williamturner1517]

Your Number One selection was right on target. It was David Sanborn, Anything You Want, that launched my alto saxophone journey. That was 1982. I turned 77 last week.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Happy Birthday!!

[@leycroftcoman5487]

So pleased to see Grover on the list a superb sound on all saxes S.A.T.B.

[@meldavis7183]

Great video. For 40 years I’ve been listening to Lester young. For the last 10 it’s been Dexter Gordon. Now it’s me. With the help of the advancements in computer programming I’ve discovered the sound that’s great for me. SWAM saxophones for iOS. My old Buescher is getting to heavy for this old 78 year old body. So now a Roland wind instrument is my main goto horn and the swam imitations are very close. Plus as a programmer tinkerer I’m now going to buy you book on altissimo and program this instrument for those fingerings. Having fun. Oh yeah I get great adjustable sub tones on this instrument.

[@dextergilford1498]

Great 50 years of listening! Cannot go wrong between Lester Young and Dexter Gordon!

[@adamc7065]

Ben webster's Over the Rainbow takes me back to my first year of high school. I would play along with it in my room. The best subtone comes from Ben!

[@gregwhittaker2249]

You are so knowledgeable my friend. I’m definitely a new fan🎼🎷🎶🇺🇸

[@Stevecollinsclear]

I have very occasionally- hardly ever - taped myself. Sounds AWFUL - But-until you told me "Gotta get over that" I would not. I even then KNEW it was super useful. I will follow your advice . Much respect , appreciated

[@ed.z.]

Smooth Jazz lunch point is Stanley Turrentine.

[@drronclark]

For me the top 7 are different for alto and tenor. For Tenor (in no particular order): 1) Grover Washington, 2) Michael Brecker, 3) Dexter Gordon, 4) Sonny Rollins, 5) Lester Young, 6) Illinois Jacquet, 7) Coleman Hawkins. (Bonus Listen: Coltrane … but not for beginners) For alto: 1) Charlie Parker, 2) Paul Desmond, 3) Cannonball Adderly, 4) Phil Woods, 5) Oliver Nelson, 5) Art Pepper, 6) Maceo Parker, 7) Dave Sanborn (Bonus Listen: Marc Russo (YellowJackets) … just to be blown away by altissimo). Great Content as always!! Much appreciated!

[@Cantbuyathrill]

What you said about the #1 position was as unexpected as it was insightful.

[@stevehenry9826]

Excellent video! Don't forget about Jonny Hodges he's never mentioned that ofter. What a tone master! Listen to Passion flower. Thanks for the video and info!

[@ernietollar407]

Wow Sigurd Rascher, wow I didn't see that coming... and Wow that clip was beautiful....

[@tedstunes22]

SONNY Rollins,David Fathead Newman ,Gene Aamons,Von Freeman, Johnny GRIFFIN,DEXTER Gordon,Lucky Thompson,Coleman Hawki s!

[@ericwobschall8410]

Ok there are several subs one could make, but these are all true. You finished several sentences of mine during this video. For some reason I thought you would tap Lester Young. Thanks for recognizing my local brother Grover. Very true about Kenny G, so suck it all you snobs. He’s not even my cup of tea but I do have ears, and you can’t deny his visceral impact on millions, and his technical proficiency. Sig R. is unrepeatable. Talk about masters of an instruments. Anyway, you already said all of this.

[@Sirvalorsax]

😁

[@phreffable]

Kenny G has weedy tone imo. Try Benny Carter, Freddy Gardner, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Prez, Stan Getz, Johnny Hodges

[@paulflores7026]

I got another one to add to the list. I play a lot of motown era covers and I think that Junior Walker is essential to listen to for this type of sound. Love your top 7.

[@kevindeibert3369]

Diverse list ! All very different from each other ! Good to listen to as many different players as possible in all styles ! Good job !

[@nunnayuhbitness6708]

I am a drummer, so this is very educational for me. Thank u very much.

[@Njderig]

Earl Bostic. He’s my biggest influence. Check him out on “Up there in orbit” nobody has control and speed in altissimo on Alto to his level.

[@skippruitt2391]

Earl Bostic was a problem 🔥🔥🔥

[@bill3837]

@@skippruitt2391 earl had the best altissimo i ever heard on alto as etc...

[@joseacevedo6318]

This was great. Before I started hearing groceries washing Standly truntiene I felt he was the frist to use alot pop tune

[@clivecolledge4191]

Great teaching.

[@gloriousbeing5849]

My main man is Benny Carte and thanks for this wonderful video.

[@madbebopper]

Nicely done and a very important subject to consider which is listening to certain players of various musical realms. I must say you left out to me maybe the most important saxophonist and bebop innovator of the tenor saxophonist of them all. When I think of sound, tone and how this man was idolized by Sonny Stitt, John Coltrane, Paul Gonsalves, Lew Tebackin, and others.......one name comes to mind and that is the ultimate master of the saxophone, and that is Don Carlos Wesley Byas. He was a small, short skinny guy who got the biggest, fullest, loudest and most gorgeous beautiful tone I have ever heard. Take note of his recordings such as London Donnie, (Danny Boy) or Candy, or Harvard Blues. Also from Oklahoma, is the alto genius is Earl Bostic, who was the most technically advanced saxophone player of all, including Bird.

[@bigmcb15]

Some current alto sounds I love: Karolina Strassmayer, Patrick Bartley, Baptiste Herbin.

[@brucesmith3740]

Gene Ammons - bends, interesting harmonic phrasing, blues++

[@markmontaquila3098]

Great video!! Thanks! Yes… I HATE listen to myself… 😂😂

[@paulstratforddearsley2516]

The saxophone colossus is a surprising omission!

[@chrisfrench9]

Thanks for this great video. I love your choices, and how those choices inspired me to think about the “branches” to other players that those choices launch from there. As you go down your list I keep thinking, “Yeah, but what about [X or Y player]?” Everybody’s gonna have their list. #1 surprised me! I would encourage this community to check out Jan Garbarek, an amazing player who absolutely sang through his horn.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I think limiting this list to only 7 choices allows for viewers to put their input into who else should be listened to for other viewers to check out LOL. My Jazz director bass player in college hipped me to Jan Garbarek. WOW!! Love his sound

[@robertballard8833]

40 year player and sax tech here. I agree with most of your suggestions, but one player is sorely missing. Its true, he built on Lester Youngs sound, but you cant find a more distinctive and varied sound than Stan Getz. He's every bit as important to learning styles as the others. As far as sound, honorable mention goes to louis Lordan - man what power and tone.

[@genobourn7423]

Grover Washington's Circular Breathing is off the charts. I follow him with Kenny G and Boney James when it comes to Circular Breathing. I am also aware of Sidney Bechet.

[@bigoneleesmith6969]

Here are 3 more GOOD Sax players: Jr Walker, Candy Dulfer and Paul Taylor. Just to name a few. : )

[@LennyPrice]

Your central premise is spot on... LISTENING is crucial to learning the language of music and developing a personal sound. Well done! 🎷

[@Sirvalorsax]

😊

[@duaneparham8044]

Hello L.P. the master of the alto saxophone from Detroit! Good to see your name in space!

[@tedstunes22]

JOHNNY HODGES,TRANE, CANNONBALL ADDERLY, Yuseff Lateff

[@melodictube11]

Great suggestions! Might sound weird but listening to other instruments or vocalists kinda helped me explore new challenges of sounding like them... could be Miles Davis in a ballad or the voice of Billie Holiday..

[@jeremymartin2883]

I have a 'Rascher - Top-Tones' first edition which I could scan for you if you'd like! Many years ago (40) I was given a couple of boxes of sax music that, to my delight, contained a couple of hundred original editions of pieces from the '30s & '40s. The Top-Tones was included as well as lots of Rudy Wiedoeft compositions and tutors. A lucky day!

[@travlak]

Some surprises on here. Good to change things up occasionally to keep yourself inspired.

[@Cantbuyathrill]

Pharoah Sanders, Yesss!!! Unfortunately that particular clip you chose for Sanders is not illustrative of the point you're trying to make about a Pharoah sound.

[@a1saxy]

Excellent. Thanks 👍🏾

[@michaelkipler7970]

We would be remiss if Stanley Turrentine is not mentioned. His sound is identifiable after hearing two or three notes. One need only to listen to his ballad playing I Remember Bill) to become a believer. R.I.P. Stanley.

[@philipsweetin7535]

What a great video. Required viewing.

[@JackClarinet]

Brilliant video!

[@rikityrik]

Don’t play sax, but nonetheless enjoyed your video, knowledge you shared. I can tell you’re passionate about it and that’s dang cool,🎷🎼🎶 Keep it up man, look forward to seeing more.👍 Oh yeah, cool twist at the end , wasn’t expecting that one.👌

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool, thanks

[@joerumler6190]

Another excellent video..thanks!

[@ukestudio3002]

Sub tone - Dexter Gordon. Good content., thanks

[@hernanandressoto]

Nice vid!!!! I Love Ed Calle

[@seandennis3148]

Listening is very important, indeed. As a baritone saxophone player #1 has to be the same as yours. #2 Doc Kupka, #3 Leo Parker #4 Hamiet Blueitt #5 Gerry Mulligan #6 Leo Pellegrino #7 Brian Landrus. Harry Carney, Ronnie Cuber, Roger Lewis, Gary Smulyan, Claire Daly, Dana Colley and Jason Marshall all need to be mentioned too. They're brilliant players, but the ones I gave numbers to have very distinctive sounds.

[@insaneevillogan]

For sound? Harry carney should be the top, I always thought his sound with chromaticism bebop stuff is a gold mine for a new bari player?

[@seandennis3148]

@@insaneevillogan I tried to include a good variety. We'll clearly have different lists. That's groovy!

[@lihns]

I’m not a saxophonist but watching this video has been very interesting and given me some great new players to listen out for P.S. I actually kind of like the nasally Kenny G tone, it reminds me a lot of a vocalist I’d hear in MPB, samba etc.

[@benoittissier58]

Listened to Barney Wilen's Live in Tokyo 91 and thought "Man, what a sound !". Not as distinctive as the ones named here but worth a listen. Nice video.

[@travlak]

I’ve heard that name somewhere before. I think he recorded with visiting American musicians like Roy Haynes? I remember he had a great sound, need to check him out more.

[@benoittissier58]

@@travlak He played with Miles Davis, they recorded the "Ascenseur pour l'échafaud" soundtrack.

[@travlak]

Ah, yes, I remember hearing some of that. I have a CD of him playing with Roy Haynes in 1955. I remember hearing him play with Thelonious Monk in the same time period, but I haven’t checked out his more recent stuff yet

[@CLEOPATRANTOINE]

What a shocking surprise for number one ! I will follow your advice though !

[@michaeldean9338]

I was kinda thrown with the Kenny G. mention. But since Smooth 'jazz' was thrown into the mix, instead of Kenny, I thought perhaps Ronnie Laws would've gotten the mention-- being that, essentially, Laws (and Grover) seem to be the foundation of his sound, (IMO). When Kenny was with 'The Jeff Lorber Fusion', he sounded more like Laws than Washington, but played LOTS of Grover's licks (but, still threw a LOT of Ronnie's licks in, as well.) Anyway, I'm sure once Laws left Lorber, Kenny was something of an obvious choice. (lol...I actually have 2 Kenny stories. One pretty funny. ) BTW, I'm a jazz nut, but I could listen that beautiful tone of Rasher all day. Tnanks for the video.

[@tedstunes22]

7 top sax and Lester Young and Colman Hawkins not mentioned because what ever Sanborn or anyone else is playing is commi g out of Lester or Hawkins

[@KrisVComm]

This was a really good video!

[@johnbrown1851]

Frank Morgan.....he took a similar language to Bird but with an even more beautiful tone!

[@robinreidmusic]

All the players you mentioned are fantastic. I really was surprised to hear who was number one! The first time I heard myself I didn't even know it was me. Someone recorded it without me knowing and played it the next day to me so I didn't even remember playing that as I was just warming up for a gig. It was in the 70s when cassette players first came out. I went out and bought one for myself later that day. I recorded myself on gigs for my ears only. I found the most annoying thing was I didn't phrase enough. I played way too many run-on sentences so I really started editing my improvizations, and thinking more in two bar and four phrases, and developing motific ideas. Thanks for this video.

[@gsco82]

Interesting list of saxophone players to listen to. I thought that #1 would be Michael Brecker, as he certainly created some unique sounds. Although I do play soprano occaisonally, I don't listen to Kenny G all that much. Yes he has great tone and perhaps phrasing. I just don't like that style of music very much.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I really like his tenor sound. More now than in the 1990's

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Great vid dude. 👍🏻

[@gordonbowiesax9294]

Hmm. I’m surprised (70’s) Phil Woods was overlooked.

[@brianmatthews232]

the more you listen to yourself the better you play, the less it hurts to listen. Also I think recording yourself copying notable players including those mentioned will enable understanding how to produce your desired sounds, and give you the tolls to create your sound. Do think Desmond, Pepper, Brecker, Sanborn should be in the list tho :-)

[@aceboku5]

I am definitely a Maceo Parker fan (Children's World a great example). He has an avant-garde style reflected by Miles Davis. Thoughts?

[@nanosax66]

Thanks!!!

[@FunkOsax]

Nice one !!

[@xavierscott3889]

Nice work as always!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@robstevens9590]

Fantastic, comprehensive list!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Sweet

[@danaswitch5865]

Great, great video....My only wish is that you would have described "sub tone" more clearly and why Ben Webster is an example of this and not, for instance, Edward Stitt.? dana.

[@costaricaphotos]

Great video ! 👍

[@scotscheer]

Sirvalorsax, Good stuff as usual. Been messing around with mulit-phonics and experimental fingerings on saxes lateley. Any comments as to your take on fingerings?.

[@DanTheMailman330]

My gripe with Kenny G was never the "is it jazz" controversy but that he usually runs his sound through a Midi or similar processor.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I have always found his soprano sound to be a bit too close mic'd for my taste

[@mademsoisellerhapsody]

Ben Websters tasty intro on “How Long Has This Been Going On” 💐

[@mademsoisellerhapsody]

* From Ben and Sweets

[@RoaringTigerStudiosBerlin]

Love the list however, I think a very good argument can be made for Gato Barbieri to be included and also for being the "father of Smooth Jazz". His album "Caliente" is a masterpiece and a pattern of what that style should sound like.

[@TC-ti2sr]

May I add James Moody & Euge Groove?

[@rwandanstarbux1494]

It is your list, and I certainly will not insult your opinion, but I suggest you listen to Paul Desmond! He has by far (In my opinion) the most recognizable sound/tone/voice in Saxophone history. While also being my main inspiration to keep playing, fantastic list!

[@Sirvalorsax]

I always heard Paul Desmond as a type of hybrid tone between classical saxophone and Charlie Parker. Thanks for watching

[@rwandanstarbux1494]

@@Sirvalorsax I can/will agree. I loved your video on fixing the E. Rousseau JDX-5 (I think), worked on my NC4!

[@joshcharlat850]

True that about our own voices.

[@nysaxman]

Another thing that affects one's sound is the instrument itself. Just like the sound of a Stradivarius violin can't be reproduced with a modern violin, an older saxophone sounds totally different than a new one. The brass of the old horn has aged and together with the player's air, the sound emitted is truly yours. For me nothing beats the classic Selmer Mark IV circa the 1950s. I know a lot of musicians think they are overrated. But for me the sound is unmatched. Especially when playing ballads. But I'm coming from a straight ahead jazz vibe. I wouldn't use no other horn for this style.

[@paulmcghee2002]

Hank Crawford

[@crackyflipside]

Johnny Hodges is the best example for note bending skills.

[@martins5476]

L.P. (Lenny Pickett) is a master player and I kinda hear him in all these players in some way.... LP is unique in every way.

[@michaelwilcox5168]

No Coleman Hawkins?

[@peterolsson3662]

Great Tip, never listened to Kenny G because I don't like this type of music, but he has a great tone and control of his breath. Still don't like the music, but millions of people do and that is great. The jealous jazz police should just shut up.

[@leroythom5318]

I like the comments I am struggling with tone as a beginner

[@jasonmcdonnell8546]

Number 1 spot on ,,,LOL

[@Craig2760]

In school we were told to record and listen to our practice sessions. We will either improve, or QUIT!

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL

[@MLP88]

Lester Young

[@bobbachelor5930]

Feel like this list should have also included Joe Henderson, Stanley Turrentine, and John Coltrane.

[@jaysonbrown5233]

I wan to learn more but I don’t read music self taught how to learn without reading but I do improvise any some keys

[@Sirvalorsax]

Transcribing is the key. It is most associated with writing down what you hear but in a more general way, it means learning solos or songs by listening (by ear).

[@JazzStephane]

Good morning! Thank you for the wonderful information as usual. Can I study with you?

[@noeldelarosa731]

Nice video! Can you make a quick recommendation for equipment for recording yourself?

[@benoittissier58]

To my experience, the sE V7x mic can give professional results. Pair it with a Behringer UMC204 and you're set.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Use your phone. I recorded myself in college on mini cassette tapes LOL.

[@jessebennett8299]

Nicely done! Btw, did you consider Trane for an astounding mastery sub-tones? (i realize it's tough to choose...there are so many greats...Adderley, Desmond, Sanborn, Liebman in soprano...so many. Also, a master of, among other things, tone, was one of my teachers, Joe Allard.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I did but I figured Bird would get you to Trane

[@geofftaylor8913]

Great list, well thought out. There are so many excellent sax players I couldn’t even begin to compile one.

[@paulfairchild3461]

it was Kenny that inspired me to pick up the horn