Jazz saxophonists are musicians who play various types of saxophones (

alto saxophone The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in E, smaller than the B tenor ...

, tenor saxophone,

baritone saxophone The baritone saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of instruments, larger (and lower-pitched) than the tenor saxophone, but smaller (and higher-pitched) than the bass. It is the lowest-pitched saxophone in common use - the bass, contra ...

etc.) in jazz and its associated subgenres. The techniques and instrumentation of this type of performance have evolved over the 20th century, influenced by both movements of musicians that became the subgenres and by particularly influential sax players who helped reshape the music. In the 1930s, during the swing and big band era, saxophonists like altoist Johnny Hodges (1906–1970), who led the saxophone section in the Duke Ellington Big Band, were featured soloists in a highly structured system of playing where such solos were limited moments of musical freedom. In the early 1940s, jazz saxophonists such as Charlie Parker (alto, tenor) and

Sonny Stitt Edward Hammond Boatner Jr. (February 2, 1924 – July 22, 1982), known professionally as Sonny Stitt, was an American jazz saxophonist of the bebop/hard bop idiom. Known for his warm tone, he was one of the best-documented saxophonists of his ...

(alto, tenor) led a rebellion against the strictures of big band jazz, shifting away from danceable popular music towards a more challenging "musician's music" that would come to be called bebop, with solos that included more

chromaticism Chromaticism is a compositional technique interspersing the primary diatonic scale, diatonic pitch (music), pitches and chord (music), chords with other pitches of the chromatic scale. In simple terms, within each octave, diatonic music uses o ...

and dissonance. Charlie Parker is particularly noted for his groundbreaking solo techniques that is still widely admired today. He was credited to be one of the major influences of the bebop movement. In the 1950s, sax players like tenor saxophonist John Coltrane (1926–1967) and

Sonny Rollins Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (born September 7, 1930) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist who is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. In a seven-decade career, he has recorded over sixty albums as a ...

(born 1930) broke new ground in jazz, infusing their music with rhythm and blues, modal, Latin and gospel influences as part of the hard bop subgenre. In the 1950s and 1960s, free jazz pioneers such as

Ornette Coleman Randolph Denard Ornette Coleman (March 9, 1930 – June 11, 2015) was an American jazz saxophonist, violinist, trumpeter, and composer known as a principal founder of the free jazz genre, a term derived from his 1960 album '' Free Jazz: A Colle ...

(1930–2015) and Albert Ayler developed unusual new sounds and playing styles. In the early 1960s, Woody Herman's lead "(Four) Brother",

Stan Getz Stanley Getz (February 2, 1927 – June 6, 1991) was an American jazz saxophonist. Playing primarily the tenor saxophone, Getz was known as "The Sound" because of his warm, lyrical tone, with his prime influence being the wispy, mellow timbre of ...

, played cool jazz with Brazilian musicians in the emerging

bossa nova Bossa nova () is a style of samba developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is mainly characterized by a "different beat" that altered the harmonies with the introduction of unconventional chords and an innovativ ...

style. Getz was known for his rich tone, ability to swing and impeccable technique. In the 1970s, fusion jazz blended rock and jazz, with saxophonists like Wayne Shorter and Michael Brecker at the front of that movement. In the 1980s, smooth jazz saxophonists such as Kenny G (Kenny Gorelick, born 1956, soprano, alto, tenor),

Bob Mintzer Robert Alan Mintzer (born January 27, 1953) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band leader. Early life Mintzer was born and raised in a Jewish family in New Rochelle, New York, on January 27, 1953. He attended the Inter ...

(tenor) and David Sanborn (born 1945, alto, soprano) played a radio-friendly style of fusion called smooth jazz. Other notable smooth jazz saxophonists include Dave Koz, Jeff Kashiwa, Brandon Fields. In the 1990s and 2000s, Joshua Redman (born 1969, tenor, soprano, alto) and Chris Potter (tenor, soprano) returned to a more traditional approach which harked back to the saxophone greats of the 1950s and 1960s. Jazz saxophonist

Greg Abate Greg Abate (born May 31, 1947)Yanow, ScottGreg Abate Biography, Allmusic, retrieved 2011-02-05 is a jazz saxophonist, flautist, composer, and arranger. He grew up in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. In the fifth grade he began to play clarinet. Career ...

continues to keep bebop alive on the alto, soprano, tenor, baritone as well as the flute. Notable jazz saxophonists include:

A

* Frøy Aagre (born 1977) (tenor, soprano) *

Mindi Abair Mindi Abair (born May 23, 1969) is an American saxophonist, vocalist, author, and National Trustee for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the organization that puts on the Grammy Awards show. Her solo career has produced ten No ...

(born 1969) (alto, soprano) *

(born 1947) (alto) * George Adams (1940–1992) (tenor) * Pepper Adams (1930–1986) (baritone) * Julian "Cannonball" Adderley (1928–1975) (alto) *

Ahmad Alaadeen Ahmad Alaadeen (July 24, 1934 – August 15, 2010) was an American jazz saxophonist and educator whose career spanned over six decades. A longtime fixture on the Kansas City jazz scene, Aladeen came to wider prominence in the 1990s with a serie ...

(1934–2010) (soprano, tenor) * Gerald Albright (born 1957) (alto) * Eric Alexander (born 1968) (tenor) * Gene Allen (1928–2008) (baritone) * Harry Allen (born 1966) (tenor) * Pete Allen (born 1954) (alto, soprano) * Sophie Alour (born 1974) (tenor, soprano) *

Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

(1925–1974) (tenor) * Curtis Amy ("The Jazz Man") (1929–2002) (tenor) * Fred Anderson (1929–2010) (tenor) *

Wessell Anderson Wessell "Warmdaddy" Anderson (born 1966) is an American jazz alto and sopranino saxophonist. Anderson grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights, and played jazz early on at the urging of his father, who was a drummer. He played in loca ...

(born 1964) (sopranino, alto) *

Peter Apfelbaum Peter Noah Apfelbaum (born August 21, 1960) is an American avant-garde jazz pianist, tenor saxophonist, drummer, and composer born in Berkeley, California. Career Apfelbaum formed the Hieroglyphics Ensemble in 1977. He performed with Carla Bley ...

(born 1960) (tenor) *

Julian Argüelles Julian Argüelles (born 28 January 1966) is an English jazz saxophonist. Coming to prominence in the 1980s and '90s with the ensemble Loose Tubes, Argüelles has worked extensively as a solo performer and with American and European musicians. ...

(born 1966) (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) *

Harold Ashby Harold Ashby (March 27, 1925, in Kansas City, Missouri, United States – June 13, 2003, in New York City) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He worked with Duke Ellington's band, replacing Jimmy Hamilton in 1968. In 1959, he recorded backing ...

(1925–2003) (tenor) * Gilad Atzmon (born 1963) (alto, soprano, tenor, baritone) * Georgie Auld (1919–1990) (tenor) * Albert Ayler (1936–1970) (alto, tenor, soprano)

B

* Buster Bailey (1902–1967) *

Erik Balke Erik Balke (born 7 November 1953) Store Norske Leksikon is a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone), known as leader of the "Lille Frøen Saksofonkvartett" with Vidar Johansen, Arne Frang and Odd Riisnæs/Tore Brunborg/ Olav Dale, as member of hi ...

(born 1953) (alto, soprano) * Iain Ballamy (born 1964) (tenor, alto, soprano) *

Pat LaBarbera Pat (Pascel Emmanuel) LaBarbera (born April 7, 1944) is an American-born Canadian jazz tenor, alto and soprano saxophonist, clarinetist, and flautist born in Mt. Morris, New York, most notable for his work as a soloist in Buddy Rich bands fr ...

(born 1944) (tenor, soprano, alto) * Gato Barbieri (1934–2016) (tenor) * Eddie Barefield (1909–1991) * Gabe Baltazar (1929-2022) (alto) * Dale Barlow (born 1959) (tenor, soprano) * Carolyn Breuer (born 1969) (alto, soprano) * Alan Barnes (born 1959) (alto, baritone) *

Bootsie Barnes Robert "Bootsie" Barnes (November 27, 1937 – April 22, 2020) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist from Philadelphia. Early life and education Barnes was raised in a housing project in North Philadelphia. His father was a trumpet player who ...

(1937–2020) (tenor) * John Barnes (born 1932) (tenor) *

Polo Barnes Paul D. "Polo" Barnes (November 22, 1901 – April 3, 1981, New Orleans) was an American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist. He was the brother of Emile Barnes and was a mainstay of the New Orleans jazz scene of the 1920s and 1930s. Career Barn ...

(1901–1981) (alto) * Charlie Barnet (1913–1991) (tenor, alto, soprano) *

Kjell Bartholdsen Kjell Bartholdsen (2 October 1938 in Hammerfest – 6 November 2009) was a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone), that lived in Bodø from 1968. Career Bartholdsen was a piano tuner by profession, and he was also a central person on the norther ...

(1938–2009) (tenor) * Gary Bartz (born 1940) (alto, soprano) * Mario Bauzá (1911–1993) (alto) * Walter Beasley (born 1961) (alto, soprano) * Sidney Bechet (1897–1959) (soprano, tenor, bass) * Jay Beckenstein (Born 1951) (soprano, alto) * Noah Becker (born 1970) (alto) *

Bob Belden James Robert Belden (October 31, 1956 – May 20, 2015) was an American saxophonist, arranger, composer, bandleader, and producer. As a composer he may be best known for his Grammy Award winning orchestral jazz recording, ''Black Dahlia'' (2001) ...

(1958–2016) (tenor, soprano) * Tex Beneke (1914–2000) (tenor) * Daniel Bennett (born 1979) (alto) *

Eli Bennett Eli Bennett (born March 9, 1989) is a Canadian Juno Award-nominated jazz saxophonist and Leo Award-winning film composer. He has composed more than twenty film scores and in 2018 received his first Leo Award for Best Musical Score in a Feature ...

(born 1989) (tenor) * Ivy Benson (1913–1993) (alto) * Bob Berg (1951–2002) (tenor, soprano) *

Totti Bergh Theodor Christian Frølich Bergh known as Totti Bergh (5 December 1935 in Oslo – 4 January 2012 in Oslo) was a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone), the younger brother of the jazz journalist Johannes (Johs.) Bergh (1932–2001). He was married ...

(1935–2012) (tenor) *

Kristian Bergheim Kristian Bergheim (6 June 1926 in Bærum – 30 May 2010) was a noted saxophonist, considered one of the few in Norway of international caliber. Biography Bergheim was raised in Asker and in Stabekk in the neighboring municipality Bærum, wher ...

(1926–2010) (tenor) * Jerry Bergonzi (born 1947) (tenor, soprano) * Tim Berne (born 1954) (alto, baritone) * Chu Berry (1910–1941) (tenor) *

Barney Bigard Albany Leon "Barney" Bigard (March 3, 1906 – June 27, 1980) was an American jazz clarinetist known for his 15-year tenure with Duke Ellington. He also played tenor saxophone. Biography Bigard was born in New Orleans to Creole parents, Ale ...

(1906–1980) (tenor) *

David Binney David Binney (born August 2, 1961) is an American alto saxophonist and composer. Early life Binney was born in Miami, Florida, and was raised in Carpinteria, California. From his parents, who loved music, he was exposed to albums by John C ...

(born 1961) (alto) * Chris Biscoe (born 1947) (alto, soprano, tenor, baritone) * Ron Blake (born 1965) (tenor, soprano) * Seamus Blake (born 1970) (tenor) *

Walter Blanding Walter Blanding Jr. (born August 14, 1971, Cleveland) is an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist. Early life and Education Blanding grew up in a musical family in New York City; both his parents played in the house band at the New York jazz ...

(born 1971) (tenor) * Jane Ira Bloom (born 1955) (soprano) * Hamiet Bluiett (1940–2018) (baritone) *

Arthur Blythe Arthur Murray Blythe (May 7, 1940 – March 27, 2017) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. He was described by critic Chris Kelsey as displaying "one of the most easily recognizable alto sax sounds in jazz, big and round, with a f ...

(1940–2017) (alto, soprano) *

Céline Bonacina Céline Bonacina (born 23 July 1975 in Belfort, France) is a French saxophonist and composer. She plays soprano, alto and baritone saxophone. Biography Bonacina started learning music at the age of eight. She got classical saxophone lessons at ...

(born 1975) (baritone, alto, soprano) * Graham Bond (1937–1974) (alto) * Earl Bostic (1913–1965) (alto) * Ralph Bowen (born 1961) (tenor, alto, soprano) * Charles Brackeen (1940–2021) (tenor, soprano) * Don Braden (born 1964) (tenor) * Anthony Braxton (born 1944) (all saxophones) * Michael Brecker (1949–2007) (tenor, soprano) * Willem Breuker (1944–2010) (saxophones) * Nick Brignola (1936–2002) (baritone, soprano, tenor, alto) *

Gordon Brisker Gordon Brisker (November 6, 1937 in Cincinnati, Ohio – September 10, 2004) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Brisker began on piano as a child, and studied reed instruments at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He played with Ral ...

(1937–2004) (tenor) * Tina Brooks (1932–1974) (tenor) * Peter Brötzmann (born 1941) (alto, tenor, bass) * Ari Brown (born 1944) (tenor, alto, soprano) *

Boyce Brown Boyce Brown (April 16, 1910 – January 30, 1959) was an American jazz dixieland alto saxophonist born in Chicago, Illinois. Brown worked with Wingy Manone, Paul Mares, and Danny Alvin. His best-known recordings are a 1935 session with Paul ...

(1910–1959) (alto) *

Pete Brown Peter Ronald Brown (born 25 December 1940) is an English performance poet, lyricist, and singer best known for his collaborations with Cream and Jack Bruce.Colin Larkin, ''Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music'', (Muze UK Ltd, 1997), , p. 80 Bro ...

(1906–1963) (alto, tenor) * Marion Brown (1935–2010) (alto) *

YolanDa Brown YolanDa Faye Brown (born 4 October 1982) is a British saxophonist, composer, and broadcaster. Her musical sound is a fusion of reggae, jazz and soul. In 2022 she was appointed chair of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Early life and ...

(born 1982) (tenor, soprano, alto) * Tore Brunborg (born 1960) (tenor) *

Rusty Bryant Royal Gordon "Rusty" Bryant (November 25, 1929 – March 25, 1991) was an American jazz tenor and alto saxophonist. Biography Bryant was born in Huntington, West Virginia, and grew up in Columbus, Ohio, becoming a fixture of the local jazz scene ...

(1929–1991) (alto, tenor) * Jane Bunnett (born 1955) (soprano) * John Butcher (born 1954) (tenor, soprano, baritone) * Sam Butera (1927–2009) (tenor) *

Igor Butman Igor Butman PAR is a Russian jazz saxophonist born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1961. Butman holds dual citizenship for both the US and Russian Federation. He is considered to be a virtuoso saxophonist, and a skilled bandleader. American saxop ...

(born 1961) (alto) * Don Byas (1912–1972) (tenor)

C

* Ed Calle (born 1959) (all saxes) *

Harry Carney Harry Howell Carney (April 1, 1910 – October 8, 1974) was a jazz saxophonist and clarinettist who spent over four decades as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He played a variety of instruments but primarily used the baritone saxopho ...

(1910–1974) (baritone) * Scoops Carry (1915–1970) (alto) * Benny Carter (1907–2003) (alto) * James Carter (born 1969) (all saxes—from soprano to bass) * Luciano Caruso (born 1944) (soprano) * Fabrizio Cassol (born 1964) (alto, aulochroom) * Justin Chart (born 1960) (alto) * Serge Chaloff (1923–1957) (baritone) *

Jean-Louis Chautemps Jean-Louis Chautemps (6 August 1931 – 25 May 2022) was a French jazz saxophonist. Career Born in Paris, Chautemps initially studied medicine and law, and began playing saxophone at age 16. His first major gig was with Jef Gilson in 1950. In 1 ...

(born 1931) (tenor, baritone) * Chris Cheek (born 1968) (tenor) * Pete Christlieb (born 1945) (tenor) * Jeff Clayton (1954–2020) (alto) *

Arnett Cobb Arnett Cleophus Cobb (August 10, 1918 – March 24, 1989)
accessed July 2010. was an American tenor saxophonist, somet ...

(1918–1989) (tenor) * Tony Coe (born 1934) (tenor, soprano) * Jeff Coffin (born 1965) (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) * Anat Cohen (born 1975)) (tenor, soprano) * Al Cohn (1925–1988) (tenor) * Richie Cole (1948–2020) (alto, tenor, baritone) * Steve Cole (born 1971) (tenor) * George Coleman (born 1935) (tenor) *

(1930–2015) (alto, tenor) *

Steve Coleman Steve Coleman (born September 20, 1956) is an American saxophonist, composer, bandleader and music theorist. In 2014, he was named a MacArthur Fellow. Early life Steve Coleman was born and grew up in South Side, Chicago. He started playing al ...

(born 1956) (alto, soprano) * Buddy Collette (1921–2010) (alto, tenor) * John Coltrane (1926–1967) (tenor, soprano, alto) *

Ravi Coltrane Ravi Coltrane (born August 6, 1965) is an American jazz saxophonist. Co-owner of the record label RKM Music, he has produced pianist Luis Perdomo, guitarist David Gilmore, and trumpeter Ralph Alessi. Biography Ravi Coltrane is the son of sa ...

(born 1965) (tenor, soprano) * Randolph Colville (1942–2004) * Junior Cook (1934–1992) (tenor) * Bob Cooper (1925–1993) (tenor) * Lindsay Cooper (1951–2013) (soprano, alto) * Lol Coxhill (1932–2012) (soprano) *

Hank Crawford Bennie Ross "Hank" Crawford, Jr. (December 21, 1934 – January 29, 2009) was an American Alto saxophone, alto saxophonist, arranger and songwriter whose genres ranged from Rhythm and blues, R&B, hard bop, jazz-funk, and soul jazz. Crawford was ...

(1934–2009) (alto, baritone) *

Ray Crawford Ray Crawford (October 26, 1915 – February 1, 1996) was an American fighter ace, test pilot, race-car driver and businessman. Biography Born in Roswell, New Mexico, Crawford served as a U.S. Army Air Corps fighter pilot and flew the P-3 ...

(1924–1996) (tenor) * Sonny Criss (1927–1977) (alto, soprano) * Ronnie Cuber (born 1941) (baritone) * King Curtis (1934–1971) (tenor, soprano)

D

Olav Dale Olav Dale (30 October 1958 – 10 October 2014) was a Norwegian composer, orchestra leader and jazz saxophonist. In addition to saxophone he played other woodwinds. He received little formal education in music, but he completed studies at the Vos ...

(1958–2014) (tenor, soprano) * Eddie Daniels (born 1941) (tenor) * John Dankworth (1927–2010) (alto) * Joe Darensbourg (1906–1985) *

Eric Darius Eric Darius (born December 3, 1982), is an American saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and educator. Early life Darius was born in New Jersey to a father of Haitian descent and a mother of Jamaican descent. He grew up in Tampa, Flo ...

(born 1982) (alto, tenor, soprano) * Julian Dash (1916–1974) (tenor) * Kenny Davern (1935–2006) * Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (1921–1986) (tenor) * Jesse Davis (born 1965) (alto) *

Lem Davis Lemuel A. Davis (22 June 1914 – 16 January 1970), was an American jazz alto saxophonist associated with swing music. Born in Tampa, Florida, United States, his career began in the 1940s with pianist Nat Jaffe. Davis played with the Coleman ...

(1914–1970) (alto) * Nathan Davis (1937–2018) (tenor, soprano) * Elton Dean (1945–2006) (alto, saxello) * Eli Degibri (born 1978) (tenor, soprano) * Paul Desmond (1924–1977) (alto) *

Johnny Dodds Johnny Dodds (; April 12, 1892 – August 8, 1940) was an American jazz clarinetist and alto saxophonist based in New Orleans, best known for his recordings under his own name and with bands such as those of Joe "King" Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, ...

(1892–1940) (alto) * Klaus Doldinger (born 1936) (tenor, soprano) *

Eric Dolphy Eric Allan Dolphy Jr. (June 20, 1928 – June 29, 1964) was an American jazz alto saxophonist, bass clarinetist and flautist. On a few occasions, he also played the clarinet and piccolo. Dolphy was one of several multi-instrumentalists to gai ...

(1928–1964) (alto) *

Arne Domnérus Sven Arne Domnérus (20 December 1924 – 2 September 2008) was a Swedish jazz saxophonist and clarinetist. Career He began to play the clarinet at the age of 11 but had taken up the saxophone by the time he left school and then turned profession ...

(1924–2008) (alto) * Sam Donahue (1918–1974) (tenor) * Lou Donaldson (born 1926) (alto) * Jimmy Dorsey (1904–1957) (alto) * Bob Downes (born 1937) (alto, soprano) * Paquito D'Rivera (born 1948) (alto) * Gerd Dudek (born 1938) (tenor, soprano) *

Candy Dulfer Candy Dulfer (born 19 September 1969) is a Dutch jazz and pop saxophonist. She is the daughter of jazz saxophonist Hans Dulfer. She began playing at age six and founded her band Funky Stuff when she was fourteen. Her debut album ''Saxuality'' ( ...

(born 1969) (alto) * Hans Dulfer (born 1940) (tenor) * Paul Dunmall (born 1953) (tenor, soprano, baritone, saxello)

E

* Allen Eager (1927–2003) (tenor, alto) * Bill Easley (born 1946) (tenor, alto) * Teddy Edwards (1924–2003) (tenor) * Richard Elliot (born 1960) (tenor) * Peter Epstein (born 1967) (tenor) *

Helén Eriksen Helén Eriksen (born 19 October 1971 in Dale, Norway) is a Norwegian Jazz musician (saxophone and vocals), songwriter and music arranger. Career In the period 1993 to 1995 she was a member of the Bergen-based pop group Animal Farm. In 1996 s ...

(born 1971) (tenor) *

Booker Ervin Booker Telleferro Ervin II (October 31, 1930 – August 31, 1970) was an American tenor saxophone player. His tenor playing was characterised by a strong, tough sound and blues/gospel phrasing. He is remembered for his association with bassi ...

(1930–1970) (tenor) *

Wayne Escoffery Wayne Escoffery (born 23 February 1975) is an American jazz saxophonist. Performing history Since 2000, he has been working in New York City with Carl Allen, Eric Reed, and the Mingus Big Band. Other musicians performed with include Ralph Pet ...

(born 1975) (tenor) *

Ellery Eskelin Ellery Eskelin (born August 16, 1959) is an American tenor saxophonist raised in Baltimore, Maryland and residing in New York City. His parents, Rodd Keith and Bobbie Lee, were both professional musicians. Rodd Keith died in 1974 in Los Angeles, ...

(born 1959) (tenor) *

Bill Evans William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block ch ...

(born 1958) (tenor, soprano) * Herschel Evans (1909–1939) (tenor, alto) * Sandy Evans (tenor, soprano)

F

* Joe Farrell (1937–1986) (tenor, soprano) * Wally Fawkes (born 1924) (soprano) * Wilton Felder (1940–2015) *

Buddy Featherstonhaugh Rupert Edward Lee "Buddy" Featherstonhaugh ( ; 4 October 1909 – 12 July 1976) was an English jazz saxophonist and clarinetist. Musical career Born in Paris in 1909, the son of an English marine architect and his Scottish wife. His grandfath ...

(1909–1976) (tenor, baritone) * Brandon Fields (born 1958) (alto) *

Mickey Fields Wilfred "Mickey" Fields (1932/33 – January 16, 1995) was a Baltimore-area jazz saxophonist, a local legend who refused to play outside the Baltimore area, although he was asked to leave Baltimore many times to go on the road with many famous ba ...

(1932/1933-1995) *

Mikkel Flagstad Michael "Mikkel" Flagstad (23 April 1930 – 29 June 2005) was a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone), son of the cellist Ole Flagstad and nephew of the pianist Lasse Flagstad, the singer Karen-Marie Flagstad and opera singer Kirsten Flagstad. Hi ...

(1930–2005) (tenor) * Ricky Ford (born 1954) (tenor) *

Jimmy Forrest James, Jim or Jimmy Forrest may refer to: Sports * James Forrest (rugby union) (born 1907), Scotland international rugby union player * James Forrest (baseball) (1897–1977), American baseball player * James Forrest (basketball) (born 1972), Ame ...

(1920–1980) (tenor) * Sonny Fortune (1939–2018) (alto, soprano) * Håvard Fossum (born 1971) (tenor) * Alex Foster (born 1953) (alto, tenor) * Frank Foster (1928–2011) (tenor, soprano) * Gary Foster (born 1936) (tenor, alto, soprano, sopranino) *

Charles Fowlkes Charles Baker Fowlkes (February 16, 1916 – February 9, 1980) was an American baritone saxophonist who was a member of the Count Basie Orchestra for over twenty-five years. Early life Fowlkes was born in New York City on February 16, 1916. He s ...

(1916–1980) (baritone) *

Joel Frahm Joel Frahm (born 1970) is an American jazz saxophonist. Early life Frahm was born in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1970.

(born 1969) (tenor, soprano) *

Bob Franceschini Bob Franceschini (born 1961) is an American jazz saxophonist and instrumentalist, songwriter, and arranger. He has appeared on more than eighty albums including those of Mike Stern, Paul Simon, and Willie Colón. Franceschini grew up in Manhatta ...

(born 1961) (tenor) * Bud Freeman (1906–1991) (tenor) * Chico Freeman (born 1949) (tenor, soprano) * Von Freeman (1923–2012) (tenor) * Tia Fuller (born 1976) (alto) *

Svein Magnus Furu Svein Magnus Furu (born 10 November 1983) is a Norwegian Jazz musician (saxophone) composer and music journalist, known from several bands and album releases. Career Furu was born in Asker and is a graduate of the Norwegian Academy of Music i ...

(born 1983) (tenor)

G

Brent Gallaher Brent Christopher Gallaher (born May 13, 1969 in Cumberland, Maryland) is an American jazz saxophonist and composer. He is the son of Linda (Swearingen) Gallaher and Christopher S. Gallaher. His father was a professor of music at Frostburg Stat ...

(born 1969) (tenor, soprano, alto) * Al Gallodoro (1913–2008) (alto) *

Jim Galloway James Braidie Galloway (28 July 1936 – 30 December 2014) was a jazz clarinet and saxophone player. He based his career in Canada after emigrating from Scotland in the mid-1960s. Early life and education Galloway was born in Kilwinning, Ayr ...

(1936–2014) * Jan Garbarek (born 1947) (tenor, soprano) *

Nubya Garcia Nubya Nyasha Garcia (born 1991) is an English jazz musician, saxophonist, composer and bandleader. Early life and education Garcia was born in 1991 in Camden Town, London, the youngest of four siblings, to a Guyanese mother, a former civil se ...

(born 1991) (tenor) * Lou Gare (1939–2017) (tenor) * Joe Garland (1903–1977) (tenor, baritone, bass) * Tim Garland (born 1966) (tenor, soprano) * Carlos Garnett (born 1938) (tenor, soprano) * Kenny Garrett (born 1960) (alto, soprano) * Charles Gayle (born 1939) (tenor) * Herb Geller (1928–2013) (alto, soprano) *

(1927–1991) (tenor) * Sal Giorgianni (born 1964) (alto, tenor, soprano) * John Gilmore (1931–1995) (tenor) * Jimmy Giuffre (1921–2008) (tenor, baritone, soprano) * Frode Gjerstad (born 1948) (alto) * Victor Goines (born 1961) (tenor, soprano) * Harry Gold (1907–2005) (bass, tenor, alto) *

Benny Golson Benny Golson (born January 25, 1929) is an American bebop/hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger. He came to prominence with the big bands of Lionel Hampton and Dizzy Gillespie, more as a writer than a performer, before launch ...

(born 1929) (tenor) *

Paul Gonsalves Paul Gonsalves ( – ) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist best known for his association with Duke Ellington. At the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, Gonsalves played a 27-chorus solo in the middle of Ellington's "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue ...

(1920–1974) (tenor) *

Scheila Gonzalez Scheila Gonzalez (born August 5, 1971 in Los Angeles, California) is an American, Grammy winning multi-instrumentalist and music educator. She is best known for playing the saxophone and other instruments in the all-female Sherrie Maricle, DIVA ...

(born 1971) (tenor) *

Benny Goodman Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American clarinetist and bandleader known as the "King of Swing". From 1936 until the mid-1940s, Goodman led one of the most popular swing big bands in the United States. His co ...

(1909–1986) (alto) * Dexter Gordon (1923–1990) (tenor) * Gerard "Doudou" Gouirand (born 1940) (alto, soprano) * Kenny G (Kenny Gorelick, born 1956) (soprano, alto, tenor) * Bill Graham (1918–1975) (alto, baritone, tenor) *

Henning Gravrok Henning Gravrok (born 19 March 1948 in Tovik, Northern Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone) and music teacher, raised in Harstad and educated as teacher. Since 1975 he has been central to the Tromsø and Bodø jazz scenes. Career I ...

(born 1948) (tenor, soprano) * Wardell Gray (1921–1955) (tenor) * Bunky Green (born 1935) (alto) * Jimmy Greene (born 1975) (tenor, soprano) * Johnny Griffin (1928–2008) (tenor) * Euge Groove (born 1962) * Steve Grossman (1951–2020) (alto, soprano, tenor) * Gigi Gryce (1927–1983) (alto) *

Peter Guidi Peter Guidi (14 September 1949 – 17 April 2018) was a jazz saxophonist and jazz flutist whose main instruments were the flute, alto and bass flute, alto and soprano saxophones. Biography Born in Scotland of Italian parents, Guidi was a se ...

(1949–2018) (alto, soprano) * Lars Gullin (1928–1976) (baritone) *

Guttorm Guttormsen Guttorm Guttormsen (born 28 June 1950) is a Norwegian Jazz musician ( flute, clarinet, alto saxophone), arranger and composer. Career Guttormsen was born in Mo i Rana. After moving to Oslo (1969), he appeared with Ivar Antonsen's Band at «F ...

(born 1950) (alto) * Tommy Gwaltney (1925–2003) (alto, tenor)

H

* Morten Halle (born 1957) (tenor, alto) *

Børge-Are Halvorsen Børge-Are Halvorsen (born 12 October 1978 in Lillehammer, Norway) is a Norwegian Jazz musician (soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone and c- and alto flute). His family moved to Sandane in Gloppen where he spent his youth, but he was late ...

(born 1978) (baritone, tenor, alto, soprano) * Scott Hamilton (born 1954) (tenor) * Captain John Handy (1900–1971) (alto) *

Craig Handy Craig Mitchell Handy (born September 25, 1962) is an American tenor saxophonist. Born in Oakland, California, he attended North Texas State University from 1981 to 1984, and following this played with Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis, Roy Haynes, Ab ...

(born 1952) (alto, tenor, soprano) *

John Handy John Richard Handy III (born February 3, 1933) is an American jazz musician most commonly associated with the alto saxophone. He also sings and plays the tenor and baritone saxophone, saxello, clarinet, and oboe. Biography Handy was born in Da ...

(born 1933) (alto) * Everette Harp (born 1961) * Billy Harper (born 1943) (tenor, alto) * Joe Harriott (1928–1973) (alto) *

Eddie Harris Eddie Harris (October 20, 1934 – November 5, 1996) was an American jazz musician, best known for playing tenor saxophone and for introducing the electrically amplified saxophone. He was also fluent on the electric piano and organ. His best-k ...

(1934–1996) (tenor) * Donald Harrison (born 1960) (alto) *

Antonio Hart Antonio Hart (born September 30, 1968) is a jazz alto saxophonist. He attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, studied with Andy McGhee at Berklee College of Music, and has a master's degree from Queens College, City University of New York. H ...

(born 1968) (alto, soprano) * Tubby Hayes (1935–1973) (tenor) * Alfred 23 Harth (born 1949) (tenor, soprano, alto, baritone) * Coleman Hawkins (1901–1969) (tenor) * Jimmy Heath (1926–2020) (tenor) * Eirik Hegdal (born 1973) (baritone, tenor, alto, soprano) * Ernie Henry (1926–1957) (alto) *

Joe Henderson Joe Henderson (April 24, 1937 – June 30, 2001) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. In a career spanning more than four decades, Henderson played with many of the leading American players of his day and recorded for several prominent l ...

(1937–2001) (tenor) *

Julius Hemphill Julius Arthur Hemphill (January 24, 1938 – April 2, 1995) was a jazz composer and saxophone player. He performed mainly on alto saxophone, less often on soprano and tenor saxophones and flute. Biography Hemphill was born in Fort Worth, Texas, ...

(1938–1995) (alto, soprano, tenor) * Woody Herman (1913–1987) (alto) * Vincent Herring (born 1964) (alto) * Warren Hill (born 1966) (soprano, alto) * Nigel Hitchcock (born 1971) *

Fred Ho Fred Ho (; born Fred Wei-han Houn; August 10, 1957 – April 12, 2014) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist, composer, bandleader, playwright, writer and Marxist social activist. Biography He was born in Palo Alto, California,John Steven ...

(1957–2014) (baritone) * Johnny Hodges (1907–1970) (alto, soprano) * Bendik Hofseth (born 1962) (tenor) * Red Holloway (1927–2012) (tenor, alto) * Ron Holloway (born 1953) (tenor) * Charlie Holmes (1910–1985) (alto) * Paul Horn (1930–2014) (alto) * Lars Horntveth (born 1980) (tenor) *

Steve Houben Steve Houben (born 19 March 1950 in Liège, Belgium) is a Belgian jazz saxophonist and flutist. Biography In the mid-1970s, Houben attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston. When he returned to Belgium, he established the jazz seminar at ...

(born 1950) (tenor, alto) *

Reggie Houston Reggie Houston (born July 2, 1947, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States) is an American musician who plays soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, alto saxophone and baritone saxophone. He is best known for his association with the New Orleans pian ...

(born 1947) (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) * George Howard (1956–1998) (soprano, tenor) * Derek Humble (1932–1971) (alto) * Shabaka Hutchings (born 1984) *

Jan Kåre Hystad Jan Kåre "Hysen" Hystad (born 9 July 1955) is a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone, clarinet, flute), and the older brother of jazz saxophonist Ole Jacob Hystad. He is known as leader of his own Quartet and as part of the Bergen Big Band with c ...

(born 1955) (tenor, alto, soprano) *

Ole Jacob Hystad Ole Jacob Hystad (born 20 July 1960) is a Norwegian jazz musician (tenor saxophone and clarinet). He was born in Stord, and is the brother of jazz saxophonist Jan Kåre Hystad. Career Hystad is leader of his own Ole Jacob Hystad Quartet, or ...

(born 1960) (tenor)

I

* John Pål Inderberg (born 1950)

J

Jessy J Jessica Arellano (born December 20, 1982) known professionally as Jessy J, is an American saxophonist. Biography Jessy J was born Jessica Arellano on December 20, 1982 in Portland, Oregon and raised in Hemet, California. Of Mexican-Americ ...

(born 1982) * Illinois Jacquet (1922–2004) (tenor) * Javon Jackson (born 1965) (tenor) * Torbjørn Sletta Jacobsen (born 1973) (tenor) * Jaroslav Jakubovič (born 1948) (baritone) *

Nils Jansen Nils Jansen (born 30 March 1959 in Haugesund, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone and clarinet), known from several recordings and jazz orchestras. Career Jansen attended the Jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonservatorium (1995– ...

(born 1959) (bass, sopranino, tenor) * Joseph Jarman (1937-2019) (alto) * Boney James (born 1961) (tenor, alto, soprano) *

Carter Jefferson Carter Jefferson (1946 – 9 December 1993) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Jefferson played clarinet and alto saxophone early in his career, playing in the backing bands for The Temptations, The Supremes, and Little Richard in the 1960s. ...

(1946–1993) * Hilton Jefferson (1903–1968) (alto) *

Paul Jeffrey Paul Jeffrey (April 8, 1933 – March 20, 2015) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, arranger, and educator. He was a member of Thelonious Monk's regular group from 1970–1975, and also worked extensively with other musicians such as Charles ...

(1933–2015) (all saxes) * John Jenkins (1931–1993) (alto) * Erlend Jentoft (born 1977) (tenor) * Bjørn Johansen (1940–2002) (baritone, tenor, alto) * Bill Johnson (1912–1960) (alto) * Budd Johnson (1910–1984) (tenor) * Edward "Kidd" Jordan (alto, tenor, soprano, baritone) *

Louis Jordan Louis Thomas Jordan (July 8, 1908 – February 4, 1975) was an American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and bandleader who was popular from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as " the King of the Jukebox", he earned his high ...

(1908–1975) (alto) * Jackiem Joyner (born 1980)

K

* Richie Kamuca (1930–1977) (tenor) * Jeff Kashiwa (born 1963) (soprano, alto, tenor) * Tom Keenlyside (born 1950) (all saxes) * Gary Keller (born 1953) (all saxes) * Robin Kenyatta (1942–2004) (alto) *

Pete King Pete or Petes or ''variation'', may refer to: People * Pete (given name) * Pete (nickname) * Pete (surname) Fictional characters * Pete (Disney), a cartoon character in the ''Mickey Mouse'' universe * Pete the Pup (a.k.a. 'Petey'), a character ( ...

(1929–2009) (tenor) * Peter King (1940–2020) (alto, soprano) * Rosa King (1939–2000) (and singer) *

Niels Klein Niels Klein (born 1978 in Hamburg) is a German jazz musician (soprano, tenor saxophone, clarinet) and composer. Biography Klein started playing the saxophon at the age of thirteen. From 1998 he studied saxophone with Frank Gratkowski and Clau ...

(born 1978) (tenor, soprano) *

Kåre Kolve Kåre Kolve (born 10 August 1964) is a Norwegians, Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone), and the older brother of the vibraphonist Ivar Kolve. He is known as bandleader of his own Kåre Kolve Quartet, several album releases and the collaborations ...

(born 1964) (tenor, soprano) * Håkon Kornstad (born 1977) (tenor, bass) * Rahsaan Roland Kirk (1936–1977), soprano ("manzello"), alto ("stritch"), tenor * John Klemmer (born 1946) (baritone, alto, tenor) * Eric Kloss (born 1949) (alto) * Kadota "Jaw" Kouske (tenor, soprano) *

Kaori Kobayashi , is a Japanese jazz saxophonist and flautist. She grew up in Tokyo. Biography Kobayashi was born October 20, 1981 in Kanagawa Prefecture. Her father was a photographer and her mother, a piano teacher. Beginning at a very young age, Kobayashi le ...

(born 1981) (alto) * Dave Koz (born 1963) (alto, soprano, tenor, baritone) * Sigurd Køhn (1959–2004) (alto) *

Lee Konitz Leon Konitz (October 13, 1927 – April 15, 2020) was an American composer and alto saxophonist. He performed successfully in a wide range of jazz styles, including bebop, cool jazz, and avant-garde jazz. Konitz's association with the cool jazz ...

(1927–2020) (alto, soprano) * Bjørn Kruse (born 1946) (alto, soprano) *

Fela Kuti Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti; 15 October 1938 – 2 August 1997), also known as Abami Eda, was a Nigerian musician, bandleader, composer, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is regarded as the p ...

(1939–1997) (tenor, alto)

L

(born 1944) (soprano, tenor) * Steve Lacey (1934–2004) (soprano) * Oliver Lake (born 1942) (alto, soprano) * Harold Land (1928–2001) (tenor) * Brian Landrus (born 1978) (baritone, bass) *

Charley Langer Charley Langer is an American smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter. Langer released his first solo album, ''Never the Same'', in 2009, and wrote or co-wrote nine of the ten songs on the album. The title track was featured on the Weather Channe ...

(born 1962) * Don Lanphere (1928–2003) (tenor, soprano) * Prince Lasha (1929–2008) (alto) * Harald Lassen (born 1987) (tenor, soprano) * Yusef Lateef (1920–2013) (tenor) *

Azar Lawrence Azar Lawrence (born November 3, 1952) is an American jazz saxophonist, known for his contributions as sideman to McCoy Tyner, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, and Woody Shaw. Lawrence was the tenor saxophonist Tyner used following John Coltrane's ...

(born 1952) (tenor, soprano) * Ronnie Laws (born 1950) (alto, tenor) * Amy Lee (soprano, alto) * Dave Liebman (born 1946) (soprano, tenor) *

Erica Lindsay Erica Lindsay (born June 5, 1955 in San Francisco, California, United States) is an American jazz saxophone player and composer. Music career Lindsay's parents, both teachers, lived in Europe in the 1960s. She began her studies in composition w ...

(born 1955) (soprano, tenor) * Michael Lington (born 1969) *

Fred Lipsius Fred Lipsius (born 19 November 1943 in the Bronx) is an American musician who is the original saxophonist and arranger for the jazz-rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears, for which he played alto saxophone and piano. He was with the band from 1967 to ...

(born 1945) (alto) * Zachary Lipton (born 1985) (soprano, tenor) * Charles Lloyd (born 1938) (tenor, alto) * Mornington Lockett (born 1961) (tenor, alto, soprano) * Joe Lovano (born 1952) (tenor, alto, soprano) * Preston Love (1921–2004) (alto) *

Håvard Lund Håvard Lund (born 20 October 1970 in Gildeskål, Norway), is a Norwegian jazz musician (clarinet and saxophone) and composer, known from a series of recordings and collaborations with musicians like Anja Garbarek, Vigleik Storaas, Steinar Rakne ...

(born 1970) (soprano) * Arun Luthra (soprano, tenor, alto) *

Graeme Lyall Graeme William Lyall ( AM), is an Australian saxophonist, composer and arranger. He became a Member of the Order of Australia on 26 January 2003: "''For service to music as Artistic Director of the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra, and ...

(born 1942) (alto, tenor, soprano) * Jimmy Lyons (1931–1986) (alto) * Geir Lysne (born 1965) (soprano, tenor)

M

* Teo Macero (1925–2008) (tenor, alto) * Fraser MacPherson (1928–1993) (tenor) * Rudresh Mahanthappa (born 1971) (alto) *

Joe Maini Joe Maini (February 8, 1930 – May 7, 1964) was an American jazz alto saxophonist. Maini was born February 8, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island. Early in his career Maini played in the big bands of Alvino Rey, Johnny Bothwell, and Claude Thornhil ...

(1930–1964) (alto) * Didier Malherbe (born 1943) *

Antonio Marangolo Antonio is a masculine given name of Etruscan origin deriving from the root name Antonius. It is a common name among Romance language-speaking populations as well as the Balkans and Lusophone Africa. It has been among the top 400 most popular male ...

(born 1949) (tenor, soprano, baritone) * Steve "The Count" Marcus (1939–2005) (tenor, soprano) * Charlie Mariano (1923–2009) (alto) * Eric Marienthal (born 1957) * "Blue" Lou Marini (born 1945) (soprano, alto, tenor) *

Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960) is an American saxophonist The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed inst ...

(born 1960) (tenor, soprano) * Warne Marsh (1927–1987) (tenor) * Jørgen Mathisen (born 1984) (tenor) * Ole Mathisen (born 1965) (tenor) *

Bennie Maupin Bennie Maupin (born August 29, 1940) is an American jazz multireedist who performs on various saxophones, flute, and bass clarinet. Maupin was born in Detroit, Michigan, United States. He is known for his participation in Herbie Hancock's Mwandi ...

(1940) (tenor, soprano) *

Andy McGhee Andy McGhee (November 3, 1927 – October 12, 2017) was a tenor saxophonist and educator. Career McGhee graduated from New England Conservatory in 1949 and worked for a short time with trumpeter Roy Eldridge and local Boston musician Fat Man Rob ...

(1927–2017) * Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre (1936–2013) * Hal McKusick (1924–2012) (alto) * Donny McCaslin (born 1966) (tenor) * Jackie McLean (1931–2006) (alto) * Charles McPherson (born 1939) (alto) *

Marion Meadows Marion Meadows is an Americans, American soprano saxophonist and composer, mainly in smooth jazz. He was born in West Virginia and grew up mainly in Connecticut. His first album as a leader was ''For Lovers Only'' in 1990. He has had several oth ...

(soprano) * Getatchew Mekurya (1935–2016) (tenor) * Don Menza (born 1936) (tenor) *

(born 1953) (tenor) *

Roscoe Mitchell Roscoe Mitchell (born August 3, 1940) is an American composer, jazz instrumentalist, and educator, known for being "a technically superb – if idiosyncratic – saxophonist". ''The Penguin Guide to Jazz'' described him as "one of the key figures ...

(born 1940) (saxes) * Josephine Alexandra Mitchell (1903–1995) was Ireland's first female saxophonist. *

Hank Mobley Henry "Hank" Mobley (July 7, 1930 – May 30, 1986) was an American hard bop and soul jazz tenor saxophonist and composer. Mobley was described by Leonard Feather as the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone", a metaphor used to descr ...

(1930–1986) (tenor) *

J. R. Monterose J. R. Monterose (January 19, 1927 – September 16, 1993), born Frank Anthony Peter Vincent Monterose, Jr., was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor and occasionally soprano. Early life Born in Detroit, Michigan, United States, ...

(1927–1993) (tenor) * James Moody (1925–2010) (tenor, alto) * Frank Morgan (1933–2007) (alto) *

Lanny Morgan Lanny Morgan (born March 30, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa) is an American jazz alto saxophonist chiefly active on the West Coast jazz scene. Morgan was raised in Los Angeles. In the 1950s he played with Charlie Barnet, Si Zentner, Terry Gibbs, and ...

(born 1934) (alto) * Dick Morrissey (1940–2000) (tenor, soprano) * Kjetil Møster (born 1976) (tenor, baritone) * Gerry Mulligan (1927–1996) (baritone) * Mike Murley (born 1961) (tenor, soprano) * David Murray (born 1955) (tenor) * Vido Musso (1913–1982) (tenor) * Bheki Mseleku (1955–2008) (tenor) * Henry 'Boots' Mussulli (1915–1967) (alto)

N

* Najee (born 1957) (soprano, alto, tenor) *

Zbigniew Namysłowski Zbigniew Jacek Namysłowski (9 September 1939 – 7 February 2022) was a Polish jazz alto saxophonist, flautist, cellist, trombonist, pianist and composer. Life and career Namysłowski was born in Warsaw, Poland, on 9 September 1939. He perform ...

(1939–2022) (alto) * Ted Nash (born 1960) (alto) * Oliver Nelson (1932–1975) (alto, tenor) *

Roger Neumann Roger Neumann (3 January 1941 – 28 November 2018) was an American jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer, arranger, and music educator. He wrote arrangements for Count Basie, Buddy Rich, and The Beach Boys. He taught in Los Angeles and at the ...

(1940–2018) (tenor, baritone) * Bjarne Nerem (1923–1991) (tenor, alto) *

Marius Neset Marius Søfteland Neset (born 2 January 1985 in Os, Hordaland) is a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone) living in Copenhagen. He is known from collaborations within the jazz bands "People Are Machines", "Kaktusch", "JazzKamikaze" and Django Bat ...

(born 1985) (tenor, soprano) * David "Fathead" Newman (1933–2009) (tenor) *

Lennie Niehaus Leonard Niehaus (June 1, 1929 – May 28, 2020) was an American alto saxophonist, composer and arranger on the West Coast jazz scene. He played with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and served as one of Kenton's primary staff arrangers. He also playe ...

(1929–2020) (alto) *

Bodil Niska Bodil Aileen Niska (born 21 August 1954 in Vadsø, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz saxophonist known for her recordings of jazz standards. Career Raised in Hammerfest ,she was taught music by her father, the accordion player Aksel Niska, and stu ...

(born 1954) (tenor) *

Sal Nistico Sal, SAL, or S.A.L. may refer to: Personal name * Sal (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or nickname Places * Sal, Cape Verde, an island and municipality * Sal, Iran, a village in East Azerbaijan Province * Ca ...

(1938–1991) (tenor) * Luis Nubiola (born 1974) (alto) *

Atle Nymo Atle Nymo (born 9 June 1977) is a Norwegian jazz musician (tenor saxophone and bass clarinet), and the younger brother of Jazz saxophonist Frode Nymo. He is known for his contributions with the orchestras Motif, one of his main projects, and Tr ...

(born 1977) (tenor) *

Frode Nymo Frode Nymo (born 27 November 1975), is a Norwegian jazz musician ( alto Saxophone), and older brother of the tenor sax. player Atle Nymo. Career Nymo was born in Egersund and brought up in Valnesfjord, near Fauske. Early in his career, he ...

(born 1975) (alto) * Rolf-Erik Nystrøm (born 1975) (tenor)

O

* Dick Oatts (born 1953) (soprano, alto, tenor) * Maciej Obara (born 1981) (alto, tenor) *

Njål Ølnes Njål Ølnes (born 24 September 1965 in Sogndal, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (tenor saxophone), composer and jazz educator currently residing in Nesodden. Career Ølnes is a graduate of the Jazz program at the Trondheim Musikkonsev ...

(born 1965) (tenor) * Anthony Ortega (born 1928) (alto, tenor) * Mike Osborne (1941–2007) (alto) *

Greg Osby Greg Osby (born August 3, 1960) is an American saxophonist and composer. Biography Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Osby studied at Howard University, then at the Berklee College of Music. He moved to New York City in 1982, where he played with Jaki ...

(born 1960) (alto, soprano)

P

* Walter Parazaider (born 1945) (alto) *

Jorge Pardo Jorge Pardo may refer to: *Jorge Pardo (artist) *Jorge Pardo (musician) (born 1955), Spanish musician *J. D. Pardo Jorge Daniel Pardo (born September 7, 1980) is an American actor. He is best known for playing Jack Toretto in '' F9'' (2021), as ...

(born 1956) (soprano, tenor) * Charlie Parker (1920–1955) (alto, tenor) * Evan Parker (born 1944) (soprano, tenor, alto) * Leo Parker (1925–1962) (baritone, alto) * Maceo Parker (born 1943) (alto, tenor, baritone) *

Derek Pascoe Derek Pascoe (born 1957) is a British musician now based in Adelaide, South Australia. He was the singing, vocalist and saxophonist in pop band Flintlock (musical group), Flintlock in the 1970s. He is a member of the jazz performance academic st ...

(born 1957) (tenor) *

Jerome Don Pasquall Jerome Don Pasquall (September 20, 1902 – October 18, 1971) was an American jazz reed player. Early life Pasquall was born in Fulton, Kentucky, and grew up in St. Louis. As a child, he played the mellophone in brass bands. He served in ...

(1902–1971) (alto) * Michel Pastre (born 1966) (tenor) * Hanna Paulsberg (born 1987) (tenor) * Arvid Gram Paulsen (1922–1963) (tenor, alto) *

George Paxton George Paxton (March 24, 1914 – April 19, 1989) was an American big band leader, saxophonist, arranger, and publisher during the 1930s and 1940s. He was president of Coed Records and a producer for the label. Early career He was born in Jac ...

(1914–1989) (tenor) * Cecil Payne (1922–2007) (baritone) *

Art Pepper Arthur Edward Pepper Jr. (September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982) was an American alto saxophonist and very occasional tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. Active in West Coast jazz, Pepper came to prominence in Stan Kenton's big band. He was known ...

(1925–1982) (alto, tenor) * Bill Perkins (1924–2003) (tenor, baritone) * Rich Perry (born 1955) (tenor) * Eric Person (born 1963) (alto, soprano, tenor, sopranino) * Houston Person (born 1934) (tenor) * Flip Phillips (1915–2001) (tenor) * Courtney Pine (born 1964) (tenor, alto, soprano) * Bobby Plater (1914–1982) (alto) * Pony Poindexter (1926–1988) *

Odean Pope Odean Pope (born October 24, 1938) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Biography Pope was raised in Philadelphia, where he learned from Ray Bryant while young. Early in his career, at Philadelphia's Uptown Theater, Pope played behind a numbe ...

(born 1938) (tenor) * Michel Portal (born 1935) (tenor) *

Art Porter Jr. Arthur Lee Porter Jr. (August 3, 1961 – November 23, 1996) was an American jazz saxophonist. He was the son of jazz musician Art Porter Sr. and the namesake of "The Art Porter Bill". Early life Art Porter Jr. was born in Little Rock, Arkansa ...

(1961–1996) (alto) *

Tineke Postma Tineke Postma (born August 31, 1978) is a Dutch jazz saxophonist. Career At the age of eleven, Postma began playing the saxophone. She studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory between 1996 and 2003 and obtained a master's degree in music. Her teach ...

(born 1978) (alto, tenor, soprano) * Chris Potter (born 1970) (tenor, alto, soprano) * Noah Preminger (born 1986) (tenor) * Russell Procope (1908–1981) (alto) * Dudu Pukwana (1938–1990) (alto, soprano)

Q

* Ike Quebec (1918–1963) (tenor) * Paul Quinichette (1916-1983) (tenor)

R

Rama IX of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej ( th, ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช; ; ; (Sanskrit: ''bhūmi·bala atulya·teja'' - "might of the land, unparalleled brilliance"); 5 December 192713 October 2016), conferred with the title King Bhumibol the Great ...

(1927–2016) (alto) *

Boyd Raeburn Boyd Albert Raeburn (October 27, 1913 – August 2, 1966) was an American jazz bandleader and bass saxophonist. Career He was born in Faith, South Dakota, United States. Raeburn attended the University of Chicago, where he led a campus band. H ...

(1913–1966) (bass) * Bill Ramsay (born 1929) * Boots Randolph (1927–2007) (tenor) * Nelson Rangell (born 1960), all saxes * Sonny Red (1932–1981) (alto) *

Vi Redd Elvira "Vi" Redd (born September 20, 1928) is an American jazz alto saxophone player, vocalist and educator. She has been active since the early 1950s and is known primarily for playing in the blues style. She is highly regarded as an accomplish ...

(born 1928) (alto) * Dewey Redman (1931–2006) (tenor, alto) * Don Redman (1900–1964) (alto) * Joshua Redman (born 1969) (alto, soprano, tenor) * Jerome Richardson (1920–2000) (alto) *

Jim Riggs James Garland Riggs (born July 28, 1941) is an American saxophonist in classical and jazz idioms, big band director, collegiate music educator, and international music clinician. He is also a University of North Texas Regents Professor Emeritus . ...

(born 1941) * Knut Riisnæs (born 1945) (tenor) *

Odd Riisnæs Odd Riisnæs (born 12 May 1953) is a Norwegian jazz musician (saxophone) and composer. He was born in Oslo, Norway, the son of pianist Eline Nygaard Riisnæs and the younger brother of jazz saxophonist Knut Riisnæs. He is known from a series of ...

(born 1953) (tenor, soprano) * Sam Rivers (1923–2011) (soprano, tenor) * Scott Robinson (born 1959) (all saxes) * Spike Robinson (1930–2001) (tenor) * Bob Rockwell (born 1945) (tenor, soprano) * André Roligheten (born 1985) (tenor) *

Adrian Rollini Adrian Francis Rollini (June 28, 1903 – May 15, 1956) was an American jazz multi-instrumentalist who played the bass saxophone, piano, vibraphone, and many other instruments. Rollini is also known for introducing the goofus in jazz music. As ...

(1904–1956) (bass, baritone) *

(born 1930) (tenor, soprano) *

Bruno Romani Bruno Romani (Udine, 9 January 1960) is an Italian saxophonist, flutist and composer. He was the founder of ''Detonazione'' (one of the most influential Italian post-punk bands of the 80s), author of contemporary jazz albums and collaborator as ...

(born 1960) (alto, sax) * Mette Henriette Martedatter Rølvåg (born 1990) (tenor) *

Bernt Rosengren Bernt Rosengren (born 24 December 1937, in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish jazz tenor saxophonist. His recordings earned him five Gyllene Skivan awards in Sweden over more than forty years. Biography Rosengren first played professionally at ag ...

(born 1937) (tenor, alto) * Ronnie Ross (1933–1991) (baritone) * Charlie Rouse (1924–1988) (tenor) *

Marshal Royal Marshal Walton Royal Jr. (December 5, 1912 – May 8, 1995) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and clarinetist best known for his work with Count Basie, with whose band he played for nearly twenty years. Early life and education Marshal Royal ...

(1912–1995) (alto) * Jeff Rupert (born 1964) (tenor, alto) * Joe Rushton (1907–1964) (bass)

S

* Edgar Sampson (1907–1973) (alto) * David Sanborn (born 1945) (alto, soprano) * David Sánchez (born 1969) (tenor, soprano) *

Pharoah Sanders Pharoah Sanders (born Ferrell Lee Sanders; October 13, 1940 – September 24, 2022) was an American jazz saxophonist. Known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound", San ...

(1940-2022) (tenor) *

Mario Schiano Mario Schiano (20 July 1933 in Naples – 10 May 2008 in Rome) was an Italian alto saxophonist and soprano saxophonist associated with avant-garde/free jazz. He was born in Naples. A member of the Italian Instabile Orchestra, Schiano recorded with ...

(1933–2008) (soprano, alto) *

David Schnitter David Schnitter (born March 19, 1948, in Newark, New Jersey) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Allmusic/ref> Schnitter played clarinet as a youth and switched to tenor sax at age 15. After moving to New York City he played with Ted Dunbar an ...

(born 1948) (tenor) *

Anton Schwartz Anton Schwartz (born July 16, 1967) is an American jazz saxophonist and composer based in Seattle, Washington and Oakland, California. Biography Anton Schwartz was born and raised in New York City, the son of Tony Schwartz, the audio documenta ...

(born 1967) (tenor) * Ronnie Scott (1927–1997) (tenor) * Tom Scott (born 1948) * Karl Seglem (born 1961) (tenor) * Trygve Seim (born 1971) (tenor, soprano) *

Kristin Sevaldsen Kristin Sevaldsen (born 10 January 1966 in Lillehammer, Norway) is a Norwegians, Norwegian Jazz musician (saxophone), composer, and music producer. Career Sevaldsen has been band member and session musician for several years. In 2007 she rele ...

(born 1966) (tenor) * Bud Shank (1926–2009) (alto, baritone, tenor) * Paul Shapiro (tenor, alto) * Archie Shepp (born 1937) (tenor, soprano, alto) * Andy Sheppard (born 1957) (tenor, soprano) * Sahib Shihab (1925–1989) (baritone, alto, soprano) * Wayne Shorter (born 1933) (tenor, soprano) * Sonny Simmons (1933–2021) (alto) * Zoot Sims (1925–1985) (tenor, soprano, alto, baritone) * Guy Sion (born 1980) (tenor) *

Alan Skidmore Alan Richard James Skidmore (born 21 April 1942) is an English jazz tenor saxophonist, and the son of saxophonist Jimmy Skidmore. Career He was born in London, England. Skidmore began his professional career in his teens, and early in his care ...

(born 1942) (tenor) *

Steve Slagle Steve Slagle (born September 18, 1951) is an American jazz saxophonist. Biography Slagle was born in Los Angeles and grew up in suburban Philadelphia. He received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music and received a master's degree in M ...

(born 1951) (alto, soprano) * Ben Smith (1905-?) (alto, tenor) * Bill Smith (born 1938) (soprano) * Buster Smith (1904–1991) (alto) * Mike Smith (born 1957) (alto, soprano) * Tab Smith (1909–1971) (alto) * Tommy Smith (born 1967) (tenor) *

Gary Smulyan Gary Smulyan (born April 4, 1956) is a jazz musician who plays baritone saxophone. He studied at Hofstra University before working with Woody Herman. He leads a trio with bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Kenny Washington (musician), Kenny Washi ...

(born 1956) (baritone) * Jim Snidero (born 1958) (alto) * James Spaulding (born 1937) (alto) *

Hal Stein Harold Jerome Stein (September 5, 1928 in Weehawken, New Jersey – April 27, 2008 in Oakland, California) was an American jazz musician and bebop saxophone player. Stein began performing on the tenor saxophone in the early 1940s in New York ...

(1928–2008) (alto) * Dayna Stephens (born 1978) (tenor) * Robert Stewart (born 1969) (tenor, soprano) *

(1924–1982) (alto, tenor, baritone) * Vernon Story (1922–2007) (tenor) * Frank Strozier (born 1937) (alto) *

John Stubblefield John Stubblefield (February 4, 1945 – July 4, 2005) was an American jazz saxophonist, flautist, and oboist. Early life Stubblefield was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. He studied music at the Association for the Advancement of Crea ...

(1945–2005) (tenor) *

Carol Sudhalter Carol Stearns Sudhalter (January 5, 1943) is an American Jazz saxophonist. Biography Sudhalter grew up in a musical family: Her father Albert played the alto saxophone in the New England area with the bands of Herbie Marsh, Eddy Duchin, Bobby Ha ...

(born 1943) (tenor, baritone) *

Ed Summerlin Edgar Eugene Summerlin (September 1, 1928 – October 10, 2006) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator known for pioneering Liturgical jazz, avant-garde jazz, and free jazz. Professional career While a graduate student at the ...

(1928–2006) (tenor) * John Surman (born 1944) (baritone, soprano)

T

Richard Tabnik Richard Tabnik (born 1952) is an American jazz saxophonist who lives in New York City. History Tabnik studied with jazz alto saxophonist Lee Konitz from 1970 to 1972. From 1975 through 1979, he lived in Buffalo, N.Y. and played lead alto sax in ...

(born 1952) (alto) * Buddy Tate (1913–2001) (tenor) * Paul Taylor (born 1960) * John Tchicai (1936–2012) (alto) * Joe Temperley (1929–2016) (baritone) * Frank Teschemacher (1906–1932) (alto) *

Art Themen Arthur Edward George Themen (born 26 November 1939) is a British jazz saxophonist and formerly orthopaedic surgeon. Critic John Fordham has described him as "an appealing presence on the British jazz circuit for over 40 years.... Originally a D ...

(born 1939) (tenor, soprano) * Gary Thomas (born 1961) (tenor) * Cliff Townshend (1917–1986) * Theo Travis (born 1964) (tenor, soprano) *

Elisabeth Lid Trøen Elisabeth Lid Trøen (born 15 March 1992 in Voss, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz saxophonist, and composer. Biography Trøen picked up the saxophone at 16 in 2008, and studied jazz at Voss Jazzskule. By the age of 20, she had already played with ...

(born 1992) (tenor) * Frankie Trumbauer (1901–1956) (C-melody, alto) * Mark Turner (born 1965) (tenor) *

Premik Russell Tubbs Premik Russell Tubbs is an American saxophonist, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Career Since the 1970s he worked with a wide range of artists such as John McLaughlin, Narada Michael Walden, Jackson Browne, Carlos Santana, ...

(born 1952) (tenor, baritone, soprano) * Stanley Turrentine (1934–2000) (tenor)

V to W

* Harold Vick (1936–1987) (tenor) * Mathilde Grooss Viddal (born 1969) (soprano, tenor) * Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (1917–1988) (alto) * Bennie Wallace (born 1946) (tenor) * David S. Ware (1949–2012) (tenor, saxello, stritch) * Earle Warren (1914–1994) (alto) *

Grover Washington Jr. Grover Washington Jr. (December 12, 1943 – December 17, 1999) was an American jazz-funk and soul-jazz saxophonist. Along with Wes Montgomery and George Benson, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre. He wr ...

(1943–1999) (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone) * Kamasi Washington (born 1981) (tenor) * Sadao Watanabe (born 1933) (alto, soprano) * Bobby Watson (born 1953) (alto) *

Ernie Watts Ernest James Watts (born October 23, 1945) is an American jazz and rhythm and blues saxophonist who plays soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone. He has worked with Charlie Haden's Quartet West and toured with the Rolling Stones. On Frank Zappa's ...

(born 1945) (alto, tenor) * Trevor Watts (born 1939) (alto, soprano) * Doug Webb (born 1960) * Ben Webster (1909–1973) (tenor) * Don Weller (1940–2020) (tenor) * Bobby Wellins (1936–2016) (tenor) *

Frank Wess Frank Wellington Wess (January 4, 1922 – October 30, 2013) was an American jazz saxophonist and flutist. In addition to his extensive solo work, Wess is remembered for his time in Count Basie's band from the early 1950s into the 1960s. Critic ...

(1922–2013) (tenor) * Petter Wettre (born 1967) (tenor) * Kirk Whalum (born 1958) * Andrew White (1942–2020) * Tommy Whittle (1926–2013) (tenor) *

Barney Wilen Bernard "Barney" Jean Wilen (4 March 1937 – 25 May 1996) was a French tenor and soprano saxophonist and jazz composer. Life Wilen was born in Nice, France; his father was an American dentist turned inventor, and his mother was French. He began ...

(1937–1996) (soprano, alto, tenor) *

Ed Wiley Jr. Ed Wiley Jr. (March 14, 1930 – September 27, 2010) was an American tenor saxophonist whose big sound and soulful expression helped lay the foundation for early blues, R&B and what would later come to be known as “rock-and-roll” music. D ...

(1930–2010) (alto, tenor) * Mars Williams (born 1955) (sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor) *

Pamela Williams Pamela Williams (born 1963) is an American smooth jazz saxophonist. Williams exhibits diverse musical elements in her repertoire, including nu Jazz, funk, R&B, house, Latin and pop. She is also known for her visual art. Biography Williams gre ...

(soprano, alto) * Steve Williamson (born 1964) (tenor, alto, soprano) * Steve Wilson (born 1961) (alto, soprano) *

Juli Wood Juli Wood is a Finnish-American saxophonist, vocalist, composer, and band-leader from Chicago, who appears regularly in Chicago and Milwaukee area jazz clubs, on tours through the Midwest with the Juli Wood Quartet, and other groups she leads or is ...

(tenor) * Phil Woods (1931–2015) (alto, soprano) * Leo Wright (1933–1991) (alto) * Jan Ptaszyn Wróblewski (born 1936) (tenor)

X, Y and Z

Ed Xiques Edward Fabian "Ed" Xiques, Jr. (born October 9, 1939 – December 4, 2020) was an American jazz saxophonist. Early life and education Xiques was born on Staten Island and raised in Pelham Manor, New York. When he was nine years old, his father ...

(1939–2020) (baritone, alto, tenor, soprano) * Pete Yellin (1941–2016) (alto) * Lester Young (1909–1959) (tenor) *

Lukas Zabulionis Lukas Zabulionis (born 6 March 1992 in Lithuania) is a Norwegian saxophonist and composer of Lithuanian origin, residing in Sandefjord, Norway. Biography Zabulionis has lived in Sandefjord since he was 7 years old. After graduation at Sandefj ...

(born 1992) (tenor) *

Daniel Zamir Daniel Zamir ( he, דניאל זמיר; born 1980 in Petah Tikva) is an Israeli saxophonist and singer. Having started on alto saxophone, Zamir is mainly known for his soprano playing. Background Zamir was born to a secular family and started ...

(born 1981) (soprano, alto) * Miguel Zenón (born 1976) (alto) *

John Zorn John Zorn (born September 2, 1953) is an American composer, conductor, saxophonist, arranger and producer who "deliberately resists category". Zorn's avant-garde and experimental approaches to composition and improvisation are inclusive of jaz ...

(born 1953) (alto)

References

* Cook, Richard;

Morton, Brian Brian Morton (born 1954) is a Scottish writer, journalist and former broadcaster, specialising in jazz and modern literature. Early life and education Born in Paisley, near Glasgow and raised in Dunoon, Morton was educated at the University o ...

: ''The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD''. London: Penguin. (Various editions). * Miedema, Harry: ''Jazz Styles & Analysis: Alto Sax''. Chicago: Maher. 1975. *https://gregabate.com {{Jazz lists

Saxophonists Instruments key: * s, Sopranino * S, Soprano * A, Alto * T, Tenor * B, Baritone * b, Bass * c, Contrabass (or tubax) * sc, Subcontrabass Indicators key: *X, instrument has been used by person or group *X, instrument has been used by person o ...

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

V to W

X, Y and Z

See also

References