LESTER YOUNG

(August 27, 1909 – March 15, 1959)

Image from Mosaic Records

Wikipedia.com
Lester Young Bio

Lester Young was a tenor saxophonist who also played the clarinet. He had a layed back, relaxed style which was in contrast to the aggressive style of Coleman Hawkins, another prominant sax player at the same time. He played with many bands/orchestra. The most noteable probably being the Count Basie orchestra and left for a short time to replace Coleman Hawkins in the Fletcher Henderson orchestra, but because he was under pressure to sound more like Coleman Hawkins left. Eventually he returned to the Count Basie orchestra.

He played with the great Billie Holiday who gave him the nickname "The Prez".

Lester Young Buddy Rich
Uploaded by Ali_La_Pointe

EDDIE HARRIS

(October 20,1936 - November 5, 1996)

www.eddieharris.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Harris

Eddie Harris was best know for playing tenor sax but before playing sax he first played the vibraphone in school and due to a teacher had to play the clarinet before he was allowed to play the sax. You might want to know the man also played piano and was proficient with each instrument.

Back in one of my first few posts I mentionted that I was introduced to jazz thanks to my father and my brother who is still a fan. To be honest, I didn't know the name Eddie Harris when I heard it but I sure as heck knew this one in the video clip below! This is the jazz I grew up on.



And then having heard that one I had to post this which is another I'm very familiar with. Eddie Harris and Les McCann - Compared to What. I did a post on Les McCann on my other blog.

BUDDY TATE

(02/22/1913 - 02/10/2001)

Wikipedia.com
Jazzhouse.com

George Holmes "Buddy" Tate was considered to be one of the greatest jazz saxophonisst of his time. He also played the clarinet. He played with Count Basie's band and a few others after that before becoming famous in his own right. for approximately nine years and was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1988.

Jumpin' at the Woodside - Buddy Tate
Uploaded by boberwig

JOHN HALEY "ZOOT" SIMS

(10/29/1925 - 03/23/1985)

Wikipedia.com


I've heard the name "Zoot" Sims for a long time though he wasn't someone I was particularly knowledgeable of, if I heard the name, I knew it was jazz. Zoot Sims played tenor and soprano sax. He played with famous bands and musicians such as Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Stan Kenton, and Buddy Rich. Unfortunately I didn't find much information on Zoot Sims which is rather sad but I found plenty of video clips so this will be a two video post. What I lack in information I will make up for in a little smooth and sultry, old classic and sexy sax appeal.



This is romantic music. I can easily close my eyes and imagine it's just after a quite dinner by candelight, we're sharing a bottole of wine when he pulls me up into his arms, I rest my head on his chest and we slowly move to the music as we get lost in this mellow, jazzy melody...

Sweet lorraine Zoot Sims Red Mitchell 19
Uploaded by boberwig

DEWEY REDMAN

(05/17/1931 - 09/02/2006)

Wikipedia.com
European Jazz Network

I learned something new today in jazz. While looking for more jazz saxophonists I have not heard of before, I came across Dewey Redman. Anyone who is already a huge jazz fan is probably shaking their head at me wondering how I never heard of him before. I've got no excuse. In reading about him I discoverd he is the father or one of my favorite saxophonists Joshua Redman. He's played with Ornette Coleman for a few years and another few years with Keith Jarrett. He's also performed and recorded with Charlie Haden and Pat Metheny.

I could only find a few video clips of Dewey Redman so enough text and on to the sample of his sax appeal. You can check out more information about this tenor saxophonist at the links above.

COLEMAN "HAWK" HAWKINS

(November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969)
Wikipedia


Image from http://www.concordmusicgroup.com

Colman Hawkins, or "Hawk" is said to be the first important and influential jazz musician to use the sax. His style was swing and big band but he was also very influencial in the development of bebop. He's played with and recorded with some other great names such as Sonny Rollins, Dizzie Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.

This is the man with his horn.

BILLIE HOLIDAY

I had to throw this one in the midst of all of this sax appeal. It does belong as you'll see by the musicians playings while the Lady, Billie Holiday sings Fine and Mellow. Included among the musicians are Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Gerry Mulligan to name a few. For the list of musicians in this clip check out the original over on YouTube.

JAM SESSION

I found this clip of a jam session with some great, top name musicians posted by Comshow. Definitely worth a post of it's own.



Rick Braun : Trumpet
Kenny Garrett : Alto Sax.
Boney James : Tenor Sax.
Kirk Whalum : Tenor Sax.
Larry Carlton : Guitar
George Duke : Keyboards
Billy Kilson : Drums
Mike Manson : Bass

KENNY GARRETT

http://www.kennygarrett.com
Wikipedia


Image from allaboutjazz.com

Kenny Garrett is another top name in jazz. No matter what style of jazz you like, Kenny Garrett has skills that cannot be ignored or passed over. There is a nice bio of him on allthatjazz.com. When combined with the link to his site above and the video clip below you should get a pretty good sense of Kenny Garrett and his style of sax appeal. Top notch!

The clip below is a solo performance onstage with Miles Davis.

AHMAD ALAADEEN

http://www.myspace.com/alaadeen
http://www.alaadeen.com



I can't tell you how much of a learning experience this has been for me and how many great saxophonists I've been introduced to since starting this blog.

I just "discovered" Ahmad Alaadeen this morning and though this isn't my usual preference in style of jazz this man definitely has sax appeal. The sad thing is I could only find one video clip of him so after you view the clip please hit a couple of the links to sample his saxiness. The MySpace link will pull you in with instant music so I suggest that link first.

From a biography on AllAboutJazz.com:

Alaadeen, who is equally skilled and original on tenor and soprano saxophones, has made a major impact on the Kansas City jazz scene ever since he settled in K.C. in the early 1970s. He has the ability to caress melodies with a great deal of warmth, yet is never shy to stretch himself and take chances, pushing the music forward. He is heard at his very best on his recent 'ASR release And The Beauty Of It All.

CHARLIE PARKER

(August 29, 1920 - March 12, 1955)

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters
Wikipedia



Charlie "Bird" Parker showed no signs of talent as a child, was so bad he got kicked out of band in high school, and in later years had a cymbal thrown at him by a frustrated drummer. Goes to show you that when you're determined you can do anything you want to because he became one of the best.



While we sit and listen to our favorite musicians, tap our feet as they play, close our eyes and willingly drown in their music, there are sometimes tragic stories and sad truths. We lose so much wonderful talent because beneath that talent is a real human being and we really don't know them or what their story is. This clips reminds me of the some of the sadness there is to lose someone who was only 34. Charlie Parker was only 34 when he died.

STAN GETZ

(February 2, 1927 - June 6, 1991)

Wikipedia
http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/stangetz



Stanley "Stan" Getz is another well know saxophonist and played with some of the biggest names in jazz. I found this quote from him on Wikipedia:

I never consciously tried to conceive of what my sound should be...I never tried to imitate anybody, but when you love somebody’s music, you’re influenced...I really don’t know how I developed my sound, but it comes from a combination of my musical conception and no doubt the basic shape of the oral cavity... ”

— Stan Getz

There is a great interview of him here.

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY

(September 15, 1928 - August 8, 1975)

www.cannonball-adderley.com
Wikipedia



Born Julian Edward Adderley, the nickname Cannonball was a childhood name he received from a corruption the name "cannibal". He was a music teacher before he began his jazz career and was one of the more widely know jazz saxophonists. The biographies on either of the links above can provide you with a detailed biography of Cannonball's jazz career.

Cannonball Adderley - Work Song
Uploaded by dow30

The video below is of the Cannonball Adderley Sextet. Now this is classic old jazz!

GROVER WASHINGTON, JR.

(December 12, 1943 - December 17, 1999)

http://www.groverwashingtonjr.com
www.sonymusic.com



Grover Washington, Jr. is a name I've known for a long time. I knew of Grover Washington, Jr. before he became a part of one of my favorite Jazz groups Urban Knights and before he became instrumental in helping the group Pieces of A Dream become internationally known.

We lose many great artists for one reason or another. Grover Washington Jr had just finished taping four sessions for The Early Show for CBS in New York, he collapsed in the green room. He suffered a massive heart attack.

If you think you don't know who he is or have never heard him, just listen to some of his music that I'm sure you've heard and I'm sure you'll say, "Is that him!!?"

Grover will be missed.

MARCUS MITCHELL

http://www.myspace.com/marcushmitchell


Image from: http://www.jazzreview.com

Portion of an article from http://smoothjazztherapy.typepad.com

Marcus H Mitchell is not only a rising saxophone star but is also CEO and President of 24th Music, a division of MHM Entertainment Group based in Maryland. The youngest independent executive to be on the voting committee for the Grammy Awards he is about to release his latest CD, the excellent ‘R & R – Rest & Relaxation’. It follows on from his 2005 debut ‘Jumpin’ and is a classy eleven track collection of fresh urban jazz sounds that is epitomized by the tune ‘Just Groovin’. With a title that pretty much sums up what Mitchell does throughout the album it is replete with his own brand of edgy smooth jazz and, although rest and relaxation may not entirely be what Mitchell is all about, the smoky title track, the chilled out ‘Deep Concentration’ and finally ‘Summer Breeze’ all demonstrate that he knows mellow urban jazz.

LAYLA ANGULO

http://www.laylaangulo.com
http://www.myspace.com/laylaangulo



I recently heard of this lady thanks to Chipboaz and his Latin Jazz blog. I think I'm going to have to take back what I was saying in a previous post when I wondered if women could play sax as well as men. Well, I still not thoroughly convinced but this is the second female sax player I've heard and posted about that have my ears WIDE open.

Wish I could find a video clip... but I can't.

ALEX HAN

http://www.alexhan.com



Oh my goodness! You've got to hear this 18 year old play! I just happened to find him while browing on Google, saw the intro of a review praising this 18 year old and clicked in. Instantly hooked! LOL!

Allaboutjazz.com writes:

Saxophonist and composer, Alex Han, is widely regarded as the “Young Jazz Lion” of his generation. With performances at well over a dozen internationally recognized Jazz venues, countless musical awards, and a refreshingly original sound, he is fast becoming one of the most influential young players to enter the scene....

By age seventeen, Han won the17th Annual Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) Competition for saxophone which is designed to provide early career recognition for outstanding young musicians in the United States. He was also selected for an alto chair on the 2005 Monterey Jazz Festival Next Generation Orchestra.

If you don't believe me or AllAboutJazz, take a listen when you play the clip below:



Now that's what I call a little sax appeal!

JAMES CARTER

http://www.aiartists.com/jcarter



I had never heard of James Carter until recently but everything I've read about him while doing a little research has given him nothing but praise. I also read something on his website about doing a Saxophone Concierto by composer Robert Sierra and now I have to find this just so I can listen to it. You must read what Robert Sierra said about it here and you'll want to hear it too.

There is a clip below on one of his performances. There is also a clip I posted in my post on Joshua Redman where the two men play together.

JOHN COLTRANE

http://www.johncoltrane.com
(September 23, 1926 - July 17, 196)



I don't know if I've already mentioned that I was introduced to jazz at an early age because it was what my father listened to. Whenever we went to the beach dad would have his radio and it would be tuned in to the jazz station. I can't hear a certain type of jazz without thinking of the beach or my father.

John Coltrane was one of my dad's favorites and I will always picture the album "Blue Train" in his small collection of his favorites. When I think of John Coltrane I hear Blue Train.

Excerpt from Wikipedia:

Coltrane has been credited with reshaping modern jazz and being the predominant influence on successive generations of saxophonists. Like tenor saxophonists Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and Ben Webster before him, Coltrane fundamentally altered expectations for the instrument.

Coltrane received a posthumous Special Citation from the Pulitzer Prize Board in 2007 for his "masterful improvisation, supreme musicianship and iconic centrality to the history of jazz.

This clip is Miles Davis and John Coltrane and I chose it because it has my father written all over it.