Agreed and I think it’s the greatest jazz solo on a pop/rock record. I’ll add Chet Baker on Shipbuilding from Elvis Costello’s Punch the Clock, as second place.
I have to say I'm very disappointed nobody has mentioned Pharaoh Sanders. He's the only reason I could keep playing the sax after seeing Bill Clinton with one. Pharaoh was the greatest ❤
Brilliant video, Andy! Thank you soo much for sharing your knowledge in such a thoughtful and contextualized way! 🙏🙏 I've just listened to Ornette Coleman's Prime Time group and my mind is blown!
Thanks for yet another fantastic video Andy. My list included Stan Getz, Anthony Braxton, Ben Webster, Peter Brotzmann. For anyone thinking Braxton can't swing, check out Six Monk's Compositions. Wayne Shorter was in Art Blakey's band prior to Miles Davis and played on Caravan, Mosiac, Buhaina's Delight and the ferocious Free for All - all worth listening to.
Shorter has received significant acclaim for his mastery of the soprano saxophone, including as DownBeat's annual poll winner on that instrument -winning the critics' poll for 10 consecutive years and the readers' poll for 18 years.
What a great video! So good to see Bechet here. All of these players are at such an immensely high level that they can't really be ranked. I have to admit that I don't care as much about a lot of music that Brecker recorded, despite his obvious virtuosity, and of course I know how revered he is, and how much he deserves that reverence. I don't know, that kind of fusion doesn't move me. I guess it's too slick for my ears. Ornette's fusion is another story! But who would I replace Brecker with? Harry Carney, maybe, the most underrated saxophonist of all time? The first M-Base album I heard was Cassandra Wilson's Jumpworld. My god, how beautiful...
Videos I want: a thoughtful discussion of what you think "Americana" is (because you're knowledgeable enough to tackle this subject at length); a peek into genres not previously covered (Zydeco, TexMex, skiffle, jug bands, ska, reggaeton, etc.) I watch these jazz vids because I'm eager to learn and genuinely like some jazz, but the emphasis (necessarily) is on Andy's passions. I wouldn't presume to advise on how to widen your audience because you're doing well so far, but these different foci could bring in more people. I was skeptical of you at first but you grew on me until I had to subscribe. Keep going in that direction, and thanks for all your insights.
I wanted that joke to be mine. I had a bright flash of both Bleeding Gums and Homer singing "Oh When the Saints". Was it the same episode? Great mind like us think alike.
I wanted that joke to be mine. I had a bright flash of both Bleeding Gums and Homer singing "Oh When the Saints". Was it the same episode? Great mind like us think alike.
Another good one would be top 10 non-American saxophonists. Also would like to see a profile of Carla Bley and/or a review of Gray Burton's Genuine Tong Funeral composed by her and it's great personnel
Very thoughtful discussion, Andy. Thanks for reminding me how great Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins were. Here's a suggestion. How about the Top 10 Jazz composers? Coltrane may have been a more influential saxophonist, but I would argue that Wayne Shorter was a possibly more brilliant composer. Your thoughts?
Sun Ra has mastery of quoting. I was first introduced to quoting in 1979 seeing Sun Ra solo opening for Oregon followed by Carla Bley Big Band at Carnegie Hall. He quoted songs from the Wizard of Oz within his improvisational free form madness. But I would include Pharaoh Sanders, who remains my fave after Coltrane. Have seen Sanders live many times and he never failed to please. Not sure why Jan Garbarek is missing simply for his utterly unique sound and his enormous creativity playing in such a wide variety of genres. I see no reason why Brecker should appear even in the top 20.
Great video, Andy. I'm a bowl. "To understand Gurgief, you must drop all your categories. All your labels of sinner and sage and this and that. In him the sinner and the sage meet. The sage is transformed to become a worldy being."
Wonderful video Andy. You packed in a lot of information into this one. Very well done. I love the jazz history videos. I don't have many ideas for a topic that will pack in the first time viewers, but perhaps "The ten worst 1980s pop records", or "The ten reasons the beach boys were better than the Beatles" ??? My other ideas might land you in hot water, so I will leave those out.
Great stuff, Andy. I appreciate that you respect Lester Young. My next door neighbor in grad school was a huge jazz guy, and he just adored Lester Young and played his stuff all the time. Also, Fletcher Henderson is from tiny Cuthbert, GA, (very near where I grew up), and he is still celebrated there every year on his birthday. Coltrane is #1 for me, though I get putting Bird there....
I think players on the ' free improvising ' scene are largely underrated. Players in this genre usually are great technicians and some are highly creative improvisers - I can only surmise that the free scene is considered to be a second class environment by too many critics and too many media outlets. A careful surveyal of the recorded output of players such as Trevor Watts, Paul Dunmall and Roscoe Mitchell will make one realise what great players they are. It is also worth examining the work of Dudu Pukwana, who was woefully under-recorded: the same could be said about Mike Osborne. Some of the most exciting live playing I have witnessed was by John Surman and Alan Skidmore. I think players such as Steve Coleman and Brecker are relatively poor improvisers - Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh tick more boxes in my opinion. Thanks for flying the flag for jazz Andy. More of the same, please.
Andy, you been this energetic and excited about music all your adult life? I’m a decade younger than you but hit a wall last year, can’t bring myself to enjoy the music which I always loved so much. PS. discovered Zappa and jazz just 2 yrs ago, however Bill Evan is beautiful but makes me sad, Thelonious is great but messy, and Zappa wrote both beautiful and messy, so I play him in the background sometimes. Anyway... cheers from 🇧🇷
My favourite is and always will be Gato Barbieri, maybe because he was the first proper jazz saxophonist I listened to, maybe because he's hispanic (and I'm spaniard, always fond of the hispanic american sounds which are so close to ours) which it was very much reflected in his music and he was very influential with that, or maybe because he was just great
Never tire of listening to Gato. The Flying Dutchman records from the late 60’s - early 70’s are outstanding as are the Impulse records a little later. Finally saw him live in the early 2000’s and he was impressive.
To hear jazz greats heading in a beautiful direction in a pop context: the outros of Laura Nyro's Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp (1970) and I am the Blues (1976) - Randy Brecker, Joe Farrell, Alice Coltrane, Richard Davis, etc.
Can't wait for the trumpet one. I'm interested to see if Chet Baker makes the list and if so where you place him. I'm kind of hoping that you value his melodic genuis as much as I do but most jazz critics don't seem to so who knows?
I love my jazz with a passion, and know my jazz history, so when Andy talks about it, I am 'all in'......interesting to hear that early story about the mighty Michael Brecker. Well done Andy you really covered it man!!!! You must do an analysis of Monk sometime.....I ❤ Thelonious!!!!
This is a very good list, I agree with most of it except Coltrane is #1 for me, even if Bird is more important. Steve Coleman is amazing, his approach to polyrythm is unique and unmatched. I saw him live last summer and he tore down the hall, playing his hits with double the speed and ferocity. An even better album with him and Dave Holland is the trio with Jack DeJohnette, on the album Triplicate. Dave Holland is my favourite modern jazz composer, his Gateway trio was the best live performance I've ever seen in my life. Oh and don't forget Steve Coleman also discovered the amazing Gene Lake on drums. Ornette Coleman is amazing too, he kind of defined my taste in jazz when learning the stuff... I met him when he played in my city in the early 90's and we shared a spliff after the concert: he joked around all the time, such a fun, cool and humble, kind man.
#7- was mesmerized ~ 50 years ago when first hearing Bechet and "Petite Fleur" - its still one of the most beautiful pieces and playing ever made - power - vibrato - breath control. I had a very good trumpet playing friend trained at Berkeley and a good sax player who both did not like Bechet's vibrato !!!!
Since he is coming to my Home away from Home soon I say James Carter, best Bass Saxophonist, best Baritone Saxophonist, best Tenor Saxophonist, best Alto Saxophonist, best Soprano Saxophonist and best Sopranino Saxophonist. Okay, that might be a little bit over the Top but only a bit.
Is it a coincidence that these great players you chose were all black? (You did mention, in passing, Paul Desmond, Stan Goetz, and Lee Konitz,) Love hearing your rambling thoughts, always learn a lot. Thank you, Andy.
The other terrible consequence of Charlie Parker's brilliance was that a significant number of lesser jazz musicians began to think they might get nearer the level Parker was at if they started using heroin.
I played in a mixed town and prep school (PA) big band with him, he soloed flute on a swing number and completely tore it up, best flute plin I had ever seen any age. Later knew him in Boston at Berklee summer session before he went to NY, he was preaching Rolland Kirk creative gospel. A minute later I was a busboy at the Sheraton when Lional Hampton came through and Tom was music director.
Amazing! I have a nonet im his honour. We contacted his widow Terri, she sold his alto to our saxophonist and gave me 3 tunes for nonet he never played, we recorded right before the pandemic and recording originals inspired by his music and spirit in April. So now my band's a nonet. I love i but oof logistics!😅
1) John Coltrane 2) Sonny Rollins 3) Eric Dolphy 4) Rahsaan Roland Kirk 5) Sonny Stitt 6) Johnny Griffin 7) Charlie Parker 8) Ornette Coleman 9) Coleman Hawkins 10) (tie) Johnny Hodges / Lester Young
When Coltrane left Miles’ band he told Shorter to call Miles and set up an audition. Miles told him to fuck off he would find his own saxophone player so he joined the Jazz Messengers.
As a lower- league sax player myself, Joe Henderson is my all- time favourite. Rhythmically, streets ahead his peers. This is once you take all the others on the list as acceoted.
Based on the saxophonists that I have been lucky enough to see live, the following left the greatest impression on me: Branford Marsalis. Michael Brecker Wayne Shorter Joe Lovano Charles Lloyd Bob Berg.
5:10 The song referred to here is called "Easter Parade" I think. I wouldn't say quoting is anywhere near as difficult as implied; I used to do it in my jazz days and I was certainly nothing special by a long shot. If you're confident., you can make it work. "Ghost riders in the sky" was my favourite mainly because it sailed well over the heads of the jazz buffs, but those with a more eclectic listening range got it and enjoyed the incongruity. Yes, puerile, childish and smug, but there we go.
Tough job, Andy! How do you compare Bird with Trane?? How to rank Prez alongside Hodges, Getz, Hawkins, and how high do you put Pepper and Desmond and Rollins? You're a brave man!
Oh Andy. I balked at the length of your video. 1.20!!!! But it’s fantastic. I think you nailed it although I was shocked at Rollins at no 10. Can’t disagree with your choices though and totally agree that Parker was the height of jazz and also its downfall. Thanks x
I am an Admirer of the Upper Trinity River School of Saxophonists; beginning with Buster Smith of the Blue Devils and Budd Johnson the Godfather of Bebop Tenors. Red Connors who is the Buddy Bolden of Modern Dallas/Forth Worth Saxophonics, King Curtis and David Fathead Newman, the Kings of Rock‘n‘Roll and Soul. Ornette Coleman, John Carter, Prince Lasha, Dewey Redman the great Free Jazzers and last but not least Julius Hemphill the Co Founder of the World Saxophon Quartet and Teacher of Marty Ehrlich, Tim Berne and David Sanborn. Let’s ad Joshua Redman by Birthtight. They all have that Texas and Territory from the Prairie to the Plains Sound and a love for the Melody however abstracted it appears at a First Listening.
Post punk jazz: Eternally Yours (1983) by the Laughing Clowns (Ed Kuepper of the Saints). Fabulous haunting sax from Louise Elliot. From the album Law of Nature.
01. john coltrane 02. sonny rollins 03. charlie parker 04. lester young 05. lee konitz 06. coleman hawkins 07. wayne shorter 08. steve lacy 09. michael brecker 10. david murray 11. ornette coleman 12. steve coleman 13. anthony braxton and lot's of more: peter brötzmann, roscoe mitchell, ken vandermark, mats gustafsson, kenny garrett, james carter, warne marsh, joe henderson, ben webster, dexter gordon, albert ayler, archie shepp, wolfgang puschnig, maceo parker, gerry mulligan, pepper adams, ... & all time classic *sidney bechet*
about time someone mentioned lee, warne and ayler - well done. Trevor Watts is criminally underappreciated, which proves that few people have really listened to his recorded output.
@@adnilrummut105 Trevor didn't shy away from diverse musical situations - a big band gig must have fun! He had a group called ' the celebration band ' - the cd on arc records is great - band was really good live as well
Ten "greatest" lists like are based on a flawed premise. They by necessity attempt to quantify something that isn't really quantifiable. We're not looking at who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or could lift the heaviest weight. Also, any top ten list of saxophone players will have to omit some uniquely brilliant musicians. This one predictably includes a couple of fairly mainstream players who didn't really expand the vocabulary of the instrument and it excludes players who did like Ken Vandermark, Tim Berne, Roland Kirk, Anthony Braxton and Steve Lacy to name a few.
The Max Roach Album with Coleman Hawkins is Freedom Now - We Insist, the track Driver Man…..and it’s in 5 , not what you’d expect from someone who played in the 1920s.
See me through days of wine and roses Take me way back, Hyndford Street and Hank Williams Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet on Sunday afternoons in winter Sidney Bechet, Sunday afternoons in winter Before rock 'n' roll, before television - Van Morrison
Please have David Jackson on the list, I know he won’t be though but surely wearing a unique hat whilst playing 2 saxes at the same time warrants some recognition. Mel collins?
I’ve often wondered if they threw the cymbal at Parker because the ‘feel’ was so alien, and hard to play with Like, have any of you ever really tried to comp behind Parker It’s bloody difficult, and everyone seems to be in a different pocket
I just can't watch this video, although I've seen 231 videos of Andy's channel consecutively up to this point. But, I really dislike woodwind players, cuz they gotta put that reed into the mouth, suck on it, and get it all wet before they start making squealies with their instrument. My 7th grade band teacher was a somewhat butch troll, and I could see she really enjoyed that aspect of being a woodwind player. It affected all students involved, especially after sitting through biology class. As a percussionist, specifically a snare-drummer, and because I was 2nd chair and didn't play the triangle or the woodblock, I just couldn't give a damn about those instrumentalists sitting in chairs five rows up from our drum section in the back. Now, I didn't mind flute players, cuz I dated a few and they knew where to put their lips and how to blow. I hope Andy notes a few of these observations, is well-aware of them, and this video reflects that, but I ain't gonna watch this video... just in case.
The Hawk was an interesting cat , I believe he also played cello and was a fan of Pablo Casals. He had a large classical music collection, loved opera .His influence was immense. Listen to the live version of `Lester Leaps In ` by Bird talk about flight. Rollins deserves a much higher ranking. Steve Coleman top 10 ? Nah.
Let me guess Coltrane is nr one and Parker nr two? Seen so many of these lists. Just abit of fun. Just hope to see Dexter Gordon somewhere high up the list. Thanks
I won't argue with your list (except for the clearly personal anomaly that is Michael Brecker) and the ranking is sensible, but it's a shame a short list like this has no room for important players like Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, John Gilmore, Roland Kirk, Eric Dolphy, Albert Ayler, Anthony Braxton, Julius Hemphill, Evan Parker, Peter Brötzmann... and so on. Perhaps a top 25 sometime -or a top 10 avant/free/improv?
25:12. It's not so much the fingering technique as the system. Tio played an Albert system clarinet which was one of the:simple' systems (Albert, Oehler, Clinton) popular in NO in the early 1900s. Bechet also used this system which was being superceded by the Boehm system popular with classical players. It's not cut and dried; some of the early NO masters (including - ironically - Albert Nicholas) opted for Boehm, whereas Flip Phillips who recorded and worked with Charlie Parker at one point played Albert. It doesn't really affect the tone, but there are little idiosyncrasies which are only possible on one system or another. Bet you wish you'd never brought it up eh Andy? Great vid though; one of your best.
In what kind of music? Ok I assume Pop and Jazz. Here is a prediction list from which Andy will choose. Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, R.R. Kirk, Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Ernie Watts, Steve Coleman Some Alternatives Maybe some other Ellington or Basie Guys. Lacy, Ayler from Avantgarde or Tom Scott, Grover Washington from the Studio Pop Guys. We see
@ i would say probably Bill Clinton. Definitely most successful one. If I think up some other interesting Stanley Turrentine and Illinois Jaquett. I have to take out Ernie Watts (someone has to go) from my list and put Stan Getz in. Gerry Mulligan should have his place too…
@@ml-ei3nzDefinitely Getz for his gorgeous and unique tone, also for helping popularize Bossa in the English speaking world. Cannonball? Dexter? Sonny Stitt? Johnny Hodges?
Anytime you feel like talking about old Jazz, I’m here for it.
X2
how about an essay on how all genres start as dance music and evolve into armchair music?
The Sonny Rollins solo on The Stones Waiting on a Friend is one of my all time favourite pieces of music
Agreed and I think it’s the greatest jazz solo on a pop/rock record. I’ll add Chet Baker on Shipbuilding from Elvis Costello’s Punch the Clock, as second place.
I have to say I'm very disappointed nobody has mentioned Pharaoh Sanders. He's the only reason I could keep playing the sax after seeing Bill Clinton with one. Pharaoh was the greatest ❤
Brilliant video, Andy! Thank you soo much for sharing your knowledge in such a thoughtful and contextualized way! 🙏🙏
I've just listened to Ornette Coleman's Prime Time group and my mind is blown!
Great to hear all these background stories! Brecker,s solo on Zappa,s the purple lagoon is one of mine favourites
Thanks for yet another fantastic video Andy. My list included Stan Getz, Anthony Braxton, Ben Webster, Peter Brotzmann. For anyone thinking Braxton can't swing, check out Six Monk's Compositions. Wayne Shorter was in Art Blakey's band prior to Miles Davis and played on Caravan, Mosiac, Buhaina's Delight and the ferocious Free for All - all worth listening to.
Mine would have included Tubby Hayes, Sam Rivers, George Coleman, Joe Harriott and Earl Bostic.
Mike Brecker is the most recognizable saxophone player of the last 30 years . Sad day when we lost him!
Shorter has received significant acclaim for his mastery of the soprano saxophone, including as DownBeat's annual poll winner on that instrument -winning the critics' poll for 10 consecutive years and the readers' poll for 18 years.
What a great video! So good to see Bechet here. All of these players are at such an immensely high level that they can't really be ranked. I have to admit that I don't care as much about a lot of music that Brecker recorded, despite his obvious virtuosity, and of course I know how revered he is, and how much he deserves that reverence. I don't know, that kind of fusion doesn't move me. I guess it's too slick for my ears. Ornette's fusion is another story! But who would I replace Brecker with? Harry Carney, maybe, the most underrated saxophonist of all time? The first M-Base album I heard was Cassandra Wilson's Jumpworld. My god, how beautiful...
Videos I want: a thoughtful discussion of what you think "Americana" is (because you're knowledgeable enough to tackle this subject at length); a peek into genres not previously covered (Zydeco, TexMex, skiffle, jug bands, ska, reggaeton, etc.)
I watch these jazz vids because I'm eager to learn and genuinely like some jazz, but the emphasis (necessarily) is on Andy's passions.
I wouldn't presume to advise on how to widen your audience because you're doing well so far, but these different foci could bring in more people. I was skeptical of you at first but you grew on me until I had to subscribe. Keep going in that direction, and thanks for all your insights.
That would be interesting
Or how bout Alt Country ?
Jerry Jeff
Guy Clark
Townes Van Zandt ...
That day will never come on this channel ✌️
@ but I think it’s always a good idea to mention potential topics.
Couldn't hurt 🤷
Let's see if Andy replies to Boudicca's request.
Andy doesn't get Americana or folky stuff in general.
bleedin gums murphy, lisa simpsons saxaphone tutor
I wanted that joke to be mine. I had a bright flash of both Bleeding Gums and Homer singing "Oh When the Saints". Was it the same episode?
Great mind like us think alike.
I wanted that joke to be mine. I had a bright flash of both Bleeding Gums and Homer singing "Oh When the Saints". Was it the same episode?
Great mind like us think alike.
A true titan. Sorely missed.
Thanks, I couldn't remember the name. Not sure Sonny Rollins had bleeding gums though? Not impossible.
Another good one would be top 10 non-American saxophonists.
Also would like to see a profile of Carla Bley and/or a review
of Gray Burton's Genuine Tong Funeral composed by her and it's great personnel
Lol Coxhill, Jan Garbarek, Didier Malherbe, David Jackson.
Parker Cannonball, Coltrane, Shorter, Getz, Brecker, Clemons, Mintzer, Christlieb, Rollins, Paul Gonsalves, Dexter.
Clemons - ha!
Not a bad list there!
Sanders?
Very thoughtful discussion, Andy. Thanks for reminding me how great Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins were. Here's a suggestion. How about the Top 10 Jazz composers? Coltrane may have been a more influential saxophonist, but I would argue that Wayne Shorter was a possibly more brilliant composer. Your thoughts?
My favourite saxophonist indeed my favourite instrumentalist ever is Sidney Bechet.
I think of him more as a clarinetist, though he may have favored the soprano sax for most of his career.
I love saxophone solos.
I always have a little laugh when the farty bits play,that odd baratonic bit that permeates a solo.
❤
I love Sonny Rollins.
Hi Andy I’m a sax player in Philly where Michael and Randy grew up. I believe David sanborn played solo on How sweet it is
Like many of your viewers, I'm not a huge jazz fan, but I find these sort of videos both entertaining AND interesting.
Sun Ra has mastery of quoting. I was first introduced to quoting in 1979 seeing Sun Ra solo opening for Oregon followed by Carla Bley Big Band at Carnegie Hall. He quoted songs from the Wizard of Oz within his improvisational free form madness. But I would include Pharaoh Sanders, who remains my fave after Coltrane. Have seen Sanders live many times and he never failed to please. Not sure why Jan Garbarek is missing simply for his utterly unique sound and his enormous creativity playing in such a wide variety of genres. I see no reason why Brecker should appear even in the top 20.
pharoah sanders floats my boat
Great video, Andy.
I'm a bowl.
"To understand Gurgief, you must drop all your categories. All your labels of sinner and sage and this and that. In him the sinner and the sage meet. The sage is transformed to become a worldy being."
Wonderful video Andy. You packed in a lot of information into this one. Very well done.
I love the jazz history videos. I don't have many ideas for a topic that will pack in the first time viewers, but perhaps "The ten worst 1980s pop records", or "The ten reasons the beach boys were better than the Beatles" ??? My other ideas might land you in hot water, so I will leave those out.
Great stuff, Andy. I appreciate that you respect Lester Young. My next door neighbor in grad school was a huge jazz guy, and he just adored Lester Young and played his stuff all the time. Also, Fletcher Henderson is from tiny Cuthbert, GA, (very near where I grew up), and he is still celebrated there every year on his birthday. Coltrane is #1 for me, though I get putting Bird there....
I think players on the ' free improvising ' scene are largely underrated. Players in this genre usually are great technicians and some are highly creative improvisers - I can only surmise that the free scene is considered to be a second class environment by too many critics and too many media outlets. A careful surveyal of the recorded output of players such as Trevor Watts, Paul Dunmall and Roscoe Mitchell will make one realise what great players they are. It is also worth examining the work of Dudu Pukwana, who was woefully under-recorded: the same could be said about Mike Osborne. Some of the most exciting live playing I have witnessed was by John Surman and Alan Skidmore.
I think players such as Steve Coleman and Brecker are relatively poor improvisers - Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh tick more boxes in my opinion.
Thanks for flying the flag for jazz Andy. More of the same, please.
Andy, you been this energetic and excited about music all your adult life? I’m a decade younger than you but hit a wall last year, can’t bring myself to enjoy the music which I always loved so much. PS. discovered Zappa and jazz just 2 yrs ago, however Bill Evan is beautiful but makes me sad, Thelonious is great but messy, and Zappa wrote both beautiful and messy, so I play him in the background sometimes. Anyway... cheers from 🇧🇷
My favourite is and always will be Gato Barbieri, maybe because he was the first proper jazz saxophonist I listened to, maybe because he's hispanic (and I'm spaniard, always fond of the hispanic american sounds which are so close to ours) which it was very much reflected in his music and he was very influential with that, or maybe because he was just great
Never tire of listening to Gato. The Flying Dutchman records from the late 60’s - early 70’s are outstanding as are the Impulse records a little later. Finally saw him live in the early 2000’s and he was impressive.
That was a proper music lesson, that was! Thanks 🙏
To hear jazz greats heading in a beautiful direction in a pop context: the outros of Laura Nyro's Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp (1970) and I am the Blues (1976) - Randy Brecker, Joe Farrell, Alice Coltrane, Richard Davis, etc.
Can't wait for the trumpet one. I'm interested to see if Chet Baker makes the list and if so where you place him. I'm kind of hoping that you value his melodic genuis as much as I do but most jazz critics don't seem to so who knows?
I love my jazz with a passion, and know my jazz history, so when Andy talks about it, I am 'all in'......interesting to hear that early story about the mighty Michael Brecker. Well done Andy you really covered it man!!!!
You must do an analysis of Monk sometime.....I ❤ Thelonious!!!!
This is a very good list, I agree with most of it except Coltrane is #1 for me, even if Bird is more important. Steve Coleman is amazing, his approach to polyrythm is unique and unmatched. I saw him live last summer and he tore down the hall, playing his hits with double the speed and ferocity. An even better album with him and Dave Holland is the trio with Jack DeJohnette, on the album Triplicate. Dave Holland is my favourite modern jazz composer, his Gateway trio was the best live performance I've ever seen in my life. Oh and don't forget Steve Coleman also discovered the amazing Gene Lake on drums. Ornette Coleman is amazing too, he kind of defined my taste in jazz when learning the stuff... I met him when he played in my city in the early 90's and we shared a spliff after the concert: he joked around all the time, such a fun, cool and humble, kind man.
Love the jazz discussions. Still waiting for the Anthony Braxton rankings. I jest... 🙂
#7- was mesmerized ~ 50 years ago when first hearing Bechet and "Petite Fleur" - its still one of the most beautiful pieces and playing ever made - power - vibrato - breath control.
I had a very good trumpet playing friend trained at Berkeley and a good sax player who both did not like Bechet's vibrato !!!!
Coleman Hawkins. Lester Young. So many greats. Great list.thanks Andy
Since he is coming to my Home away from Home soon I say James Carter, best Bass Saxophonist, best Baritone Saxophonist, best Tenor Saxophonist, best Alto Saxophonist, best Soprano Saxophonist and best Sopranino Saxophonist.
Okay, that might be a little bit over the Top but only a bit.
Is it a coincidence that these great players you chose were all black?
(You did mention, in passing, Paul Desmond, Stan Goetz, and Lee Konitz,)
Love hearing your rambling thoughts, always learn a lot. Thank you, Andy.
The other terrible consequence of Charlie Parker's brilliance was that a significant number of lesser jazz musicians began to think they might get nearer the level Parker was at if they started using heroin.
Parker tried to imitate Jimmy Dorsey. Dorsey was Parkers idol on Sax. Dorsey played a C Saxophone.
If you ever get around to the 10 most underrated saxophonists do check out Thomas Chapin. First to record for Knitting Factory. BEAST!
I played in a mixed town and prep school (PA) big band with him, he soloed flute on a swing number and completely tore it up, best flute plin I had ever seen any age. Later knew him in Boston at Berklee summer session before he went to NY, he was preaching Rolland Kirk creative gospel. A minute later I was a busboy at the Sheraton when Lional Hampton came through and Tom was music director.
Amazing! I have a nonet im his honour. We contacted his widow Terri, she sold his alto to our saxophonist and gave me 3 tunes for nonet he never played, we recorded right before the pandemic and recording originals inspired by his music and spirit in April. So now my band's a nonet. I love i but oof logistics!😅
I love your channel Sir! Thank you. My 3 favorite Sax players are, Sanborn, Koz & Beckenstein. I’m curious…Where do they rate with you?
1) John Coltrane
2) Sonny Rollins
3) Eric Dolphy
4) Rahsaan Roland Kirk
5) Sonny Stitt
6) Johnny Griffin
7) Charlie Parker
8) Ornette Coleman
9) Coleman Hawkins
10) (tie) Johnny Hodges / Lester Young
You missed Stan Getz and Paul Desmond…….
……and Wayne Sorter
@@simonhodgetts6530 and Dexter Gordon
When Coltrane left Miles’ band he told Shorter to call Miles and set up an audition. Miles told him to fuck off he would find his own saxophone player so he joined the Jazz Messengers.
As a lower- league sax player myself, Joe Henderson is my all- time favourite. Rhythmically, streets ahead his peers. This is once you take all the others on the list as acceoted.
"Extensions" was a quartett...Dave Holland, Steve Coleman, Kevin Eubanks and Marvin Smith
Marcel Mule was a great classical saxophonist. I’m a jazz trained sax player , but some of the classical players are technically beyond beyond.
Based on the saxophonists that I have been lucky enough to see live, the following left the greatest impression on me:
Branford Marsalis.
Michael Brecker
Wayne Shorter
Joe Lovano
Charles Lloyd
Bob Berg.
Brecker's solo on Dan Fogelberg's Same Old Lang Syne is sublime.
Melvyn Desmond Collins
I know he won't make the list, but I always liked his addition to the prog scene.
The Jazz videos are my favorites!
Honorable mention Stanley Turrentine ... check his wiki page to see the albums he played on... he is your favorite sax player that you never heard of.
Just here for a supportive like and comment. I know less about this than I do Big Foot hunting.
Did James Chance play the saxophone?
5:10 The song referred to here is called "Easter Parade" I think.
I wouldn't say quoting is anywhere near as difficult as implied; I used to do it in my jazz days and I was certainly nothing special by a long shot. If you're confident., you can make it work. "Ghost riders in the sky" was my favourite mainly because it sailed well over the heads of the jazz buffs, but those with a more eclectic listening range got it and enjoyed the incongruity. Yes, puerile, childish and smug, but there we go.
Tough job, Andy! How do you compare Bird with Trane?? How to rank Prez alongside Hodges, Getz, Hawkins, and how high do you put Pepper and Desmond and Rollins? You're a brave man!
Oh Andy. I balked at the length of your video. 1.20!!!! But it’s fantastic. I think you nailed it although I was shocked at Rollins at no 10. Can’t disagree with your choices though and totally agree that Parker was the height of jazz and also its downfall. Thanks x
I am an Admirer of the Upper Trinity River School of Saxophonists;
beginning with Buster Smith of the Blue Devils and Budd Johnson the Godfather of Bebop Tenors. Red Connors who is the Buddy Bolden of Modern Dallas/Forth Worth Saxophonics, King Curtis and David Fathead Newman, the Kings of Rock‘n‘Roll and Soul.
Ornette Coleman, John Carter, Prince Lasha, Dewey Redman the great Free Jazzers and last but not least Julius Hemphill the Co Founder of the World Saxophon Quartet and Teacher of Marty Ehrlich, Tim Berne and David Sanborn. Let’s ad Joshua Redman by Birthtight.
They all have that Texas and Territory from the Prairie to the Plains Sound and a love for the Melody however abstracted it appears at a First Listening.
I was pretty close. I had Cannonball Adderley and Jan Garberek rather than Bechet and Steve Coleman.
I can't believe Bob Holness didn't make the top 10.
Post punk jazz: Eternally Yours (1983) by the Laughing Clowns (Ed Kuepper of the Saints). Fabulous haunting sax from Louise Elliot. From the album Law of Nature.
01. john coltrane
02. sonny rollins
03. charlie parker
04. lester young
05. lee konitz
06. coleman hawkins
07. wayne shorter
08. steve lacy
09. michael brecker
10. david murray
11. ornette coleman
12. steve coleman
13. anthony braxton
and lot's of more: peter brötzmann, roscoe mitchell, ken vandermark, mats gustafsson, kenny garrett, james carter, warne marsh, joe henderson, ben webster, dexter gordon, albert ayler, archie shepp, wolfgang puschnig, maceo parker, gerry mulligan, pepper adams, ...
& all time classic *sidney bechet*
about time someone mentioned lee, warne and ayler - well done. Trevor Watts is criminally underappreciated, which proves that few people have really listened to his recorded output.
@@peeper879 in the mid 80ies I saw trevor watts with a big band at jazz festival saalfelden in austria. 😃
@@adnilrummut105 Trevor didn't shy away from diverse musical situations - a big band gig must have fun! He had a group called ' the celebration band ' - the cd on arc records is great - band was really good live as well
"Paul Gonsalves...(applause)...PAUL GONSALVES ..!! (even more applause) "
I know it is down to opinions. I would have made space for Sanders. My personal favourite player.
As long as Ornette is on the list I defer to your judgement xMx
I saw Wayne Shorter in 2013 with Patitucci, Brian Blades and Danilo Perez. It was incredible. Do a video on The Police!!!!
Steve Grossman
Ten "greatest" lists like are based on a flawed premise. They by necessity attempt to quantify something that isn't really quantifiable. We're not looking at who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or could lift the heaviest weight. Also, any top ten list of saxophone players will have to omit some uniquely brilliant musicians. This one predictably includes a couple of fairly mainstream players who didn't really expand the vocabulary of the instrument and it excludes players who did like Ken Vandermark, Tim Berne, Roland Kirk, Anthony Braxton and Steve Lacy to name a few.
Since you're taking requests, I'd love a to hear you talk about Dizzy Gillespie
The Max Roach Album with Coleman Hawkins is Freedom Now - We Insist, the track Driver Man…..and it’s in 5 , not what you’d expect from someone who played in the 1920s.
More jazz videos would be marvelous
The Arab world was parked in Spain for quite a while. Clarinet virtuosity in odd time signatures is the norm in Macedonian folk music.
Ian Underwood 🙂
@@RichardW001 the rugby player?
@@kaned3570 Listen to The Gumbo Variations from Hot Rats 🙂
bunk's better
Andy, idea for a list: 10 darlings of the critics who were actually crap
See me through days of wine and roses Take me way back, Hyndford Street and Hank Williams Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet on Sunday afternoons in winter Sidney Bechet, Sunday afternoons in winter Before rock 'n' roll, before television - Van Morrison
Anthony Braxton is alive and deserves to be on the podium.
you need to take a deep dive into pharoah sanders
jack black, saxaboom
Please have David Jackson on the list, I know he won’t be though but surely wearing a unique hat whilst playing 2 saxes at the same time warrants some recognition.
Mel collins?
this is not serious ...
I’ve often wondered if they threw the cymbal at Parker because the ‘feel’ was so alien, and hard to play with
Like, have any of you ever really tried to comp behind Parker
It’s bloody difficult, and everyone seems to be in a different pocket
Good list. I would have put Wayne Shorter higher up. Michael Brecker was in Steps Ahead with Peter Erskine.
How could you not mention that Dave Holland is from Wolverhampton?
lisa simpson
No surely her teacher Bleedin’ Gums Murphy
@simonhodgetts6530 i put him too in another post, whos best the pupil or the teacher?
I just can't watch this video, although I've seen 231 videos of Andy's channel consecutively up to this point. But, I really dislike woodwind players, cuz they gotta put that reed into the mouth, suck on it, and get it all wet before they start making squealies with their instrument. My 7th grade band teacher was a somewhat butch troll, and I could see she really enjoyed that aspect of being a woodwind player. It affected all students involved, especially after sitting through biology class. As a percussionist, specifically a snare-drummer, and because I was 2nd chair and didn't play the triangle or the woodblock, I just couldn't give a damn about those instrumentalists sitting in chairs five rows up from our drum section in the back. Now, I didn't mind flute players, cuz I dated a few and they knew where to put their lips and how to blow. I hope Andy notes a few of these observations, is well-aware of them, and this video reflects that, but I ain't gonna watch this video... just in case.
I would put Roland Kirk somewhere in the middle of the list.
Hey Andy! you forgot Clarence Clemons!!!!!! l0l
Coltrane, Dolphy, Parker, and Shorter for sure.
The Hawk was an interesting cat , I believe he also played cello and was a fan of Pablo Casals. He had a large classical music collection, loved opera .His influence was immense.
Listen to the live version of `Lester Leaps In ` by Bird talk about flight.
Rollins deserves a much higher ranking.
Steve Coleman top 10 ? Nah.
Suggestion - do a top 10 cornet players
Let me guess Coltrane is nr one and Parker nr two? Seen so many of these lists. Just abit of fun. Just hope to see Dexter Gordon somewhere high up the list. Thanks
Next up: "The 10 Greatest 10 Greatest lists"....
I won't argue with your list (except for the clearly personal anomaly that is Michael Brecker) and the ranking is sensible, but it's a shame a short list like this has no room for important players like Benny Carter, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, John Gilmore, Roland Kirk, Eric Dolphy, Albert Ayler, Anthony Braxton, Julius Hemphill, Evan Parker, Peter Brötzmann... and so on. Perhaps a top 25 sometime -or a top 10 avant/free/improv?
Greatest Alto Sax: Charlie Parker
Greatest Tenor Sax: John Coltrane
Greatest Soprano Sax: Wayne Shorter
Sidney Bechet is perhaps the greatest soprano....
My goodness, the man could play. He plays like nobody.
Coming soon...The 10 greatest breakfast cereals of all time. Ranked.
We Insist. I have a US first press.
25:12. It's not so much the fingering technique as the system. Tio played an Albert system clarinet which was one of the:simple' systems (Albert, Oehler, Clinton) popular in NO in the early 1900s. Bechet also used this system which was being superceded by the Boehm system popular with classical players. It's not cut and dried; some of the early NO masters (including - ironically - Albert Nicholas) opted for Boehm, whereas Flip Phillips who recorded and worked with Charlie Parker at one point played Albert. It doesn't really affect the tone, but there are little idiosyncrasies which are only possible on one system or another.
Bet you wish you'd never brought it up eh Andy? Great vid though; one of your best.
If we lived in the 1990s, I'd agree, but the efforts of others are becoming equally or more significant than the usual go-to icons.
Bobby Watson.
In what kind of music?
Ok I assume Pop and Jazz.
Here is a prediction list from which Andy will choose.
Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, John Coltrane, R.R. Kirk, Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Ernie Watts, Steve Coleman
Some Alternatives
Maybe some other Ellington or Basie Guys. Lacy, Ayler from Avantgarde or Tom Scott, Grover Washington from the Studio Pop Guys. We see
They are all jazz saxophonists of course...who is better than the sort of players you list
@ i would say probably Bill Clinton.
Definitely most successful one.
If I think up some other interesting Stanley Turrentine and Illinois Jaquett.
I have to take out Ernie Watts (someone has to go) from my list and put Stan Getz in.
Gerry Mulligan should have his place too…
@@ml-ei3nzDefinitely Getz for his gorgeous and unique tone, also for helping popularize Bossa in the English speaking world. Cannonball? Dexter? Sonny Stitt? Johnny Hodges?
Off topic, but I'd like some film content from you, and I'm sure others would too. Music is the best, but films are pretty ok
Where's boots Randolph?Kenny G ?... no really my #3 Art Pepper 🎷 🎶
How about the ten greatest musette accordion players 🤔
Dana Colley (Morphine)