TOP BARITONE SAXOPHONE PLAYERS

[@alessandrovillatoro]

I’m my opinion, no one will ever sound like Gerry Mulligan. One of the greatest bari sounds

[@ii8zd]

Ronnie Cuber - THE GOAT

[@jackthoreson]

Was gonna comment this myself, but you beat me to it. He was the guy I looked up to for my bari sound and style when I was playing bari in college and around town.

[@robertkampfer8293]

Absolutely!

[@TheSaxHero]

Truuuuuuuue!!!!

[@mason2solidddd]

Absolutely

[@0pherSax]

He has the best tone I’ve ever heard by a bari player

[@danielangel3685]

Cecil Payne is a great bari player who was not mentioned in this video. He recorded with Coltrane, Dizzy, Kenny Dorham, Cannonball Adderley, and many others.

[@LaurenceCousins-ov9tn]

Yes. I added his name as well.

[@saxuary]

Yeah, kind of a glaring omission, huh?

[@seandennis3148]

He’s in the honourable mentions list.

[@lesgoe8908]

Thanks for having Nick Brignola on your list. I studied with Nick in college and he swung from the moment he entered the room. A born musician.

[@sfpratt1954]

I knew Nick from his Albany performances in the 70s and 80s. Then he and our local alto player Greg Abate would do home and home shows. Nick would come here to Providence and they would do a show together and then Greg would go to Albany and do a show there with Nick.

[@ed-salinas-97]

Wait, where do you see Nick Brignola on this list? It's not listed in any of the chapters or the written list at the end.

[@sfpratt1954]

8:40

[@rickmiller3584]

I had the pleasure of working with Nick several times when I was with the USAF band. Truly a nice guy, yes, helluva player too.

[@JT_Adventures]

Bruce Johnstone - I saw him with both Maynard Ferguson & Woody Herman & man he was fabulous live. Honored to have had him mentor me at a clinic in college.

[@S_R1117-m7m]

I swear these musicians traded their lifespan for unmatched talent.

[@alicoat]

Its a good job I started playing the bari in my 60s otherwise I wouldn't have made it this far in life.

[@peterfeltham8065]

For myself I have always enjoyed listening to Ronnie Ross, a beautiful sound.

[@joeg46Highlands]

and Harry Klein!

[@DynamixWarePro]

Joe Temperley is my favourite bari sax player. I really like his tone. My second favourite is Gerry Mulligan. I saw an interview Gerry did once, possibly in the 1980s, I don't quite remember where he was asked about his Bari sax being old. I think he said he either had an old one or was getting another old one, can't quite remember. My other favourite bari sax player is Leo P.

[@elnauta9525]

When I started listening jazz music I bought a CD from Gerry Mulligan. You remind me that days where the sound of the bary was like magic for me!

[@davidburckhardt7672]

Thanks for them. Pepper, Nick and Ronnie are my top favorites. I remember some great soloing by Bruce Johnstone with Maynard Ferguson. And don’t forget Roger Rosenberg, long time Bob Mintzer fellow.

[@bryanmuhammad957]

Pepper Adam’s + Donald Byrd = The Dynamic Duo!!!

[@FarrinD12]

This is perfect timing! I just picked up Bari and have been looking for players to study, thanks!

[@mattsax_music8439]

Ronnie Cuber is my top bari player! Rip to a legend

[@mitchbedel8372]

Please make that list of bari sax players who are still living! Thank you!

[@Simonjmfarmer]

Awesome Jay, loved watching that! Leo Parker is absolutely my favourite Bari player and Rollin’ with Leo one of my favourite albums by any sax player regardless of type. Have transcribed several of his solos on alto. Makes me want to get a Bari!

[@BKrystall]

One of the best baritone saxophone players in my life was the late Hamiet Bluiett. He was the founding member of the world saxophone quartet. Before the world saxophone quartet existed, he played with Charles Mingus. Bluiett was also only a handful of Bari sax players who could play in the altissimo register.

[@Simon.the.Likeable]

Not only the WSQ but also his Baritone Nation quartet!! Who else would have had the vision to put a four baritone saxophone group together? (...and what a fantastic and daring group it was!!) That alone qualifies of a unique category citation in the world of baritone saxophones.

[@BKrystall]

@@Simon.the.Likeable Patience Higgins, Alex Harding and James Carter were the other 3.

[@gariowens2871]

Please note, Mr. Hamiet Bluiett is from Brooklyn, Illinois, near East Saint Louis, the home of Miles Davis.

[@stephennewcomb2627]

Great video! Glad to see Bari players getting some love, one often overlooked player but one of my personal favorites is Lars Gullin. Swedish bari player active during the 50's and 60's mostly that played with Stan Getz and Quincy Jones. Had one of the most unique tones of any bari player

[@mx.x6449]

I love the way you speak with respectful enthusiasm. Thank you for the video.

[@BigSmoke-uo3oi]

Glad to see nick getting the recognition he deserves

[@Clemmy47]

Leo Parker is probably my favorite Bari player and it is so sad that he died at a young age

[@MrAbstraxsax]

Nice that you mentioned Ronnie Ross from the UK in the credits. I met Ronnie when I was a lad. I was playing bari in a youth band. He came over and struck up a conversation. Lovely guy. Oh, I was introduced to Pepper Adams when he was touring over here way back in the '80's We had a conversation on the merits of low A Selmers vs low Bb, he wasn't keen on low A horns. I played and still do the same Mk VI low A. Of course we had the obligatory mouthpiece talk, plus practise and general bari sax things. Great night speaking and listening to him. Oh, btw, I'm primarily a bari player or was!

[@ivanjrmejia1950]

Love the increase in bari content!

[@landonleavelle6082]

They all are incredibly talented in there own way! I've always had respect for talented bari players. Definitely not an easy instrument to honk out bebop lines on!

[@SenseiTeek]

Haven’t played my alto or Baritone in more than a decade. I’m activated and ready to work these fingers ✊🏾

[@Steve-mp7by]

Gerry was a beast. My favorite baritone sax player

[@bobblues1158]

Yeah Jay!!!!! Oh yes, Charles Davis, Danny Thompson, Hammiet Bluiett

[@joshwoofter4789]

Man I needed this. Doc Kupka is another great bari player

[@ct7972]

Add Denis Deblasio to your list of active bari players…. Great great player

[@middleagedhiker703]

I grew up in Albany, and Nick Brignola was a huge local legend. Privileged to have seen him play multiple times

[@shuffleboil]

Great list. I would add the very wonderful Danny Thompson. Underpinning so many great moments of the Sun Ra Arkestra for 50 years. Saw him several time in his last years with the arkestra, always a remarkable presence.

[@chloejackson-reynolds444]

Pat Patrick as well!!

[@dougstine1757]

Great video. I remember seeing Pepper Adams live with the Thad Jones band when I was attending Penn State U. Can't wait to see your next list of living baritone players.

[@yazurai4667]

Ronnie cuber has been my idol ever since I picked up the baritone saxophone

[@officialclairegmusician]

I'm so in love with the Baritone Sax that I have this imaginary friend who's a talking Bari Sax! His name is Mr Baritone and he's been around since 1980 and has been making music since the 90s. His songs include "Honkalot" & "I Got A Harness", both in on his third album (second studio) entitled Honkalot which came out in 1996 and is his best-selling album. He even won a Grammy for it👍🏆🎷

[@johnchapin7707]

Great job, Jay -- spreading some bari love today!! Oh -- and one of the all-time best "with strings" records is by Harry Carney.

[@kingperkoff]

I’d like to mention another Bari player who played on so many great Motown hits: Mike Terry.

[@davidwood351]

I’m saving up for that mouthpiece. I’ve collected everything by Gerry Mulligan on CD that I could find. I’m also big on Ronnie Cuber, and Pepper Adams.

[@jenniferannison4390]

You don’t have to play sax to enjoy this video. Really well put together! 💫

[@rossmuller9815]

Pepper Adams, what a performer.

[@flame_half]

I've always been a big fan of Denis DiBlasio. Saw him live once and he owned that stage. So entertaining. Big inspiration for me when I played Bari in college.

[@scottdavis7180]

I was a student in the jazz program at Ball State University, the school of music had an Art of Jazz program a few times a year, Denis DiBlasio was featured one time when I was there. He would play a tune along with each of the 3 jazz ensembles- I remember he played "Gospel John" with the band I played bari sax in, after he took his turn doing an absolute wicked solo, he'd turn around and point to a student to come up and improvise a solo,the first one he pointed to was me, that was a blast, so nervous to hang with a big cat, so much fun!!

[@saxuary]

Glad Gary Smulyan got an honorable mention. He was one of my teachers at William Paterson (three decades ago). Taught me the bebop basics.

[@michellematteson413]

My son has been studying with Gary Smuylan at Purchase the past couple years. He's an incredible teacher / player and equally a wonderful person.

[@spenceredmond8641]

There’s a good chance Gary is the best bari player on this planet.

[@TheDylls]

Played Bari for 2 years in high school... It was a blast! The deep notes I could get for The Imperial March were always a hit in class 😂

[@MTB_2311]

Hi, i want to tell you that you're terrific. I love your content, and you inspired me to post videos as well ( nowhere near as good as yours) and I want to say thanks!

[@scottolson6928]

Thanks for the amazing reminder of this awesome instrument (and the history lesson) - Grateful!! I always loved Bruce Johnstone (Maynard, Woody, etc.). I got to study improv with him for a couple of years. What a privilege! Thanks Jay!

[@loganignatenko4319]

Pepper Adam’s on “Poppin’” with Hank Mobley is one of my favorites

[@grantkoeller8911]

The Burning mouthpiece for Bari sounds great! Like my hard Rubber Otto Link Tone Edge 8.

[@96st206]

I would put James Carter on this list. great bari player

[@Simon.the.Likeable]

A glaring omission, although Mr. Carter can be cast as a master of any single reed instrument. His contrabass clarinet playing is amazing.

[@sgsax]

Thanks for giving me a lot of new names to listen to!

[@SuperOutloud]

Let’s remember Howard Johnson a multi instrumentalist and arranger. He played in the band The Three Baritones with Nick Brignola and Ronnie Cuber.

[@rloomis3]

And was a mainstay in the SNL band for many years.

[@tuxsax]

Although not strictly only a bari player, Scott Robinson kills it on bari, and also on bass

[@charlienyc1]

Yes, and any other wind instrument he picks up to play!

[@NightHourz]

Would live to be back playing bari sax. Some of the most fun I’ve had. Sadly they are as much as a new car and I need to place priorities where they lay. Maybe some day I’ll be able to get one.

[@joeblankenship377]

Maynard Ferguson had some beasts in the bari chair too. Bruce Johnstone and Denis Diblasio. Both still kickin'. Highly recommend Denis Diblasio's "Perpetual Baggage Claim" album. He's a killer flutist and scat vocalist too.

[@autumnleaves2766]

Harry Carney was amazing and stayed with the Ellington band for so long. Nice to hear Bob Gordon mentioned, I was listening to that album with Clifford Brown just the other day. Both of these fine musicians died in separate car accidents when only in their 20s. Gerry Mulligan was always excellent.

[@aeciosxtnr]

This video popped to me right after my daily bari practice

[@robertgalardi3731]

I had the honor of once playing in a big band with a special guest Mike Brignola who i thought was a blast. Formerly with Woody Herman , and a really nice guy too Bobby G.

[@vernonsoteldo]

Me encanta el saxo baritono y mi heroe de todos los tiempos es "Serge Chaloff"

[@MrBongoagogo]

The late great Ronnie Ross from the uk fantastic baritone saxophone player. Who played the solo on lou reids walk on the wild side. And the late Harry kiln from the uk.

[@petewilliams4965]

Was friendly with Nick Brignola when I was at RPI in the early 70's. Hell of a player and a great guy - wish he was still with us...

[@noahcudaback3413]

Can you add Steven banks to your list for next video? He is such amazing classical Bari, Sax, and he changed the perception, of Bari Sax for classical repertoire

[@zangsax]

Steven Banks is truly amazing

[@jazzmusictheorist]

I love playing bari even though I started off as a tenor player. One thing that's always on my mind is what happens to the instruments after a sax legend passes away

[@rloomis3]

I saw a video posted by the young alto player Alexa Tarantino in which she got to try out Gerry Mulligan's bari - so it would seem someone has it and is caring for it.

[@_grahamjacobson]

This is a great list, but a glaring omission in it is Leroy “Hog” Cooper. He was Ray Charles’ bari player for many years and one of the greatest virtuosi to ever touch the instrument. You can hear him stretch out as a soloist on “E-flat Boogie” from the record The Legendary Buster Smith.

[@dennis524]

Great list. I'd like to have seen Denis Di Blasio get a mention.

[@mpcguy]

Others of note... Don Murray with Eddie lang Ernie caceres... with Eddie Condon Tony scott... Clarinet and bari Jimmy dorsey... Clarinet, alto, bari

[@edwincancelii2917]

Ronnie Cuber was also featured on Eddie Palmieri’s Yo No Se, with lead vocalist Ismael Quintana.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

As a fellow Fifer born and raised in Scotland I have to echo other people’s name check for Joe Temperley! Great video Jay and congrats on the new MP edition.

[@bettersax]

Thanks Jamie

[@pizzaguy6099]

Practicing my all state bari music and got the notification for this video , had to check it out

[@joetrahan3760]

This is a great video! Thank you so much for giving the baritone some love :)

[@kateyakovets]

Dana Colley (from Morphine, Boston MA) is a great and unique baritone player who wasn't mentioned in this video. He's also playing two saxophones (bari and tenor) at once.

[@matta5348]

I love Morphine and Dana because that’s such a cool idea of what a bari can do in a band. Totally unique sound.

[@charlienyc1]

He may be on the next video FWIW.

[@EjTheDeveloper]

Just in time! I’m trying to do a school project on bari sax players and you uploaded, thanks!

[@BobbyLee9676]

Great list! Of course there are others but this contains a lifetime of inspiration.

[@bustabass9025]

Although not well associated with the titans of classic jazz or its various periods of ensemble music, Floyd Newman was one of the most prolific baritone saxophonist and bandleaders in the history of contemporary music. His work with Ray Charles and numerous other legendary R&B artists, gave the bari its very own voice in Memphis, Detroit, and Chicago soul, during the 60s and 70s. He is also well known for anchoring the reed section of many a big band with that distinctive low end register. As well as delivering unforgettable riffs in many memorable soul classics such as "Tell Mama" among others, his horn was ubiquitous in the Atlantic, Stax, Muscle Shoals, and countless other studio sessions. Definitely deserves recognition whenever the instrument is showcased.

[@brianfirtion5998]

What's the difference between the Burnin' Baritone Mouthpiece and the JJ Baritone HR* ?

[@MeehanSax]

Wow I'm a huge fan or Ronnie Cuber ive listened to each of his recordings probably thousands of times and i dont know which recording its from but one of the Serge examples was quoted byRonnie on something, idk what but ive definitely heard ronnie play the same phrase almost note for note, and it was a long one, several bars long

[@AndrewBarsky]

Serge Chaloff is definitely slept on. “Bob the robin” is probably one of my favorite baritone tunes.

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

Pepper Adams blew my mind. John Surman is thankfully still with us.

[@brucemacdonald876]

Ronnie Ross. A fine bari specialist, he was approached by a very young David Bowie for lessons in the 1960s. I saw Ross play at the Bull's Head and he was superb.

[@brucemacdonald876]

Of course I forgot Ronnie's most famous solo, on Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side".Proper bebop on a top pop record.

[@TheDakes]

My favorite bari sax player is Tini Thomsen

[@c.j.benoit8662]

Dan Silas of Louisiana's own Boogie Kings is a good one. (Hell, a lot of great Swamp Pop saxmen out there, Baritone and beyond.)

[@conn12m]

Ronnie Cuber....my favorite bari sound of all time :)

[@seandennis3148]

I've had a few more thoughts about living bari sax players. Dr Brian Landrus PhD (mostly his own bands), Tini Thomsen (her MaxSax and Q4), Jens Neufang (WDR Big Band) and Paul Nedzela (Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra)

[@seandennis3148]

Stephen “Doc” Kupka, Tower of Power Roger Lewis, Dirty Dozen Brass Band Jared Tankel, The Budos Band Dana Colley, Morphine Martin Perna, Antibalas

[@BorisKrasno]

Le baryton, un monde méconnu ❤ Merci pour cette vidéo

[@AndresSoto-yd9zh]

Fred Ho was an amazing Bari player. He was a founder of the Brooklyn Saxophone Quartet. Unfortunately cancer took him too young.

[@Dedicxted]

Great video as always! Is there anyway you could do a bari sax mouthpiece comparison? As a fellow bari sax player I’d love to see different point of views on different baritone saxophone mouthpieces

[@bettersax]

I've already done a couple bari mouthpiece review videos. Unfortunately they did not include the new Burnin' mouthpiece from BetterSax though...

[@NeilStrudwick]

How about including Ronnie Ross, the British Bari player, in any future video's. He played with Ted Heath and John Dankworth in the UK and played a lot in the 'States too I believe. It is he on the play-out to Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side".

[@rloomis3]

A few, more "off-the-beaten-path" listening suggestions: Stan Getz made an album with Mulligan, _Getz Meets Mulligan in Hi-Fi,_ in 1957. On one side of the record, they switched horns! It's pretty fascinating to hear those players' familiar styles on instruments with which we don't usually associate them. In the classical vein, someone already mentioned Steven Banks, who is excellent; I would add Makoto Hondo - here on KZbin you can hear him play a cello concerto by Saint-Saëns and a bassoon concerto by Jolivet! Also, there is the Dutch-based group The Four Baritones, which was started by the great Arno Bornkamp, and has had various line-ups over the years. Their repertoire is quite eclectic.

[@billynugget1256]

Been waiting for this video

[@sockrepairman]

I would also add Jerome Richardson and Pat Patrick

[@yeahboi2851]

wow. that’s so insane that harry carney held his chair for 46 years. he and duke must’ve had insane chemistry

[@bari_sax]

Love to listen to Jason Marshall!

[@kingperkoff]

Bruce Johnston, he played with Maynard Ferguson. Great player.

[@bryanmuhammad957]

Park Frederick “Pepper” Adams!!!

[@XavierProvost]

I’m curious to know if better Sax tenor and bari could one day be a thing

[@Charlie-js4um]

Jay, I play on a RPC bari mouthpiece which burning bari mpc is close to that?

[@bettersax]

I would go with the same tip opening as your RPC

[@ekesamuel8795]

Hello Jay, could you kindly share a link to the transcription of your solos on the tune you played with the bettersax mouthpiece. I thought it was burning.

[@bettersax]

Thanks, but I didn't write that down. Check out my Melodic Etudes course for a bunch of solos + analysis and lessons on my thought process while improvising. bettersax.com/course/melodic-etudes/

[@rickyharris8218]

How about Sinclair Pinckney from James Brown Band and the doctor from the Tower of Power

[@MrGolyat1]

I was going to post the same thing

[@jeremyterry5213]

Here are some other bari sax players that I appreciate: Charles Davis, John Barnes, Jack Nimitz, Tate Houston, and Jerome Richardson.

[@tkannen]

Jay, I’ve been playing on the Jody Jazz HR* for a few months, wondering how your Burnin’ piece compares.

[@bettersax]

The HR* is great. The Burnin’ will give you more bite and projection while still retaining warmth.

[@chloejackson-reynolds444]

Forgot legendary Baritone Saxophone player Charles Tyler... Mostly known for playing with the legendary Albert Ayler but should be known by all fans of jazz for his monumental album "Voyage from Jericho" which features legenday bassist "Ronnie Boykins" as well as the phenominal altoist "Arthur Blythe".

[@mambojazz1]

Ive been waiting for so long to see a greatest baritone saxophone players list include Leo Parker!!!!!❤ How could the first player to really usher in bebop on baritone be so underrated?!🤷 Thank you!