Great Players Who sparked your love of Sax music

[Joe from NOLA]

For me it was Ornette Coleman and Lee Allen

As a New Orleanian (sic), Lee is royalty+

 

[Pete Thomas]

As a New Orleanian (sic), Lee is royalty+

Probably one of the most underrated, unsung saxophone heroes of all time. I've had saxophone lessons from the best, but standing next to Lee on the stage and in recording studios was the ultimate in learning saxophone and performing on saxophone.

 

[SageSmith]

The obvious ones for me - Art Pepper, Cannonball, Coltrane. But the one who really stands out, for my tastes at least, is Dexter Gordon. Funnily enough I got into jazz because of trumpet players initially - loved the sound of Lee Morgan and Donald Byrd in particular - but always fancied playing the sax so picked up a cheap second hand alto before 'upgrading' to a Yamaha YAS-280, which is now my main piece. Having said that, I do feel the need to pick up my Selmer Bundy 1 alto on occasion (mainly because it's challenging to play...and I hate losing).

 

[Joe from NOLA]

Loved Art Pepper. Only saw him once, in New Orleans in 1977 at Tipatinia's. As I remember, he had just gotten of jail ( not one of his San Quenton stretches) and some NOLA jazz illumenaries led by pianist Frank Pazullo threw together an impromptu gig for him. They passed the hat- it was rather sad. He was a really rough looking mofo but he played beautifully.

 

[NeilJenn]

For me, one of the first sax solos I remember is the alto/tenor trade on In The Mood. I started playing in school and then was lucky enough to play with the Ulster Youth Jazz Orchestra for several years. As a 14/15 year old, some of the older guys sounded amazing and I wanted to play just like them. I'm still trying 25 years later!

 

[Grafsax]

Coming with a schoolfriend in their livingroom on a saterday-afternoon, I was 10 at the time, his father was playing Blue rondo a la Turk and I was shocked that this fantastic music existed, it made me happy in a new way. Church music was almost the only music I knew then.
Benny Wallace who's play I really loved, delivered the same happy making shock, that sound!
But the one that really 'sparked' me was Wayne Shorter on soprano.

 

[kamak]

My dad played alto in high school, and that always intrigued me. It was an aspect of him I never knew much about and he never played during my lifetime, before he passed.

I'd always wanted to play a musical instrument, but was too lazy and focused on other things. Finally, I started, and I've been loving learning music and learning to play the sax.

I more recently found out my dad's dad also played sax, alto and soprano. Maybe that's why I gravitate towards alto; is it in my DNA? Haha

 

[Targa]

My dad played alto in high school, and that always intrigued me. It was an aspect of him I never knew much about and he never played during my lifetime, before he passed.

I'd always wanted to play a musical instrument, but was too lazy and focused on other things. Finally, I started, and I've been loving learning music and learning to play the sax.

I more recently found out my dad's dad also played sax, alto and soprano. Maybe that's why I gravitate towards alto; is it in my DNA? Haha

Better if their instruments were in the attic.

 

[kamak]

Better if their instruments were in the attic.

Yeah that would have been great! Here in FL though, not sure I'd want a sax that'd been in the attic for decades.

I'm pretty sure my aunt had them years ago and sold them.

 

[AlonW]

I think for me it was hearing John Coltrane recordings, especially the Atlantic collection.