Creating Tone

[Phil]

I'm looking for more a contemporary tone especially like that of Kenny Garrett, but no matter how open I play I can't seem to sound remotely like that style. As a result, I have more of a Phil Woods sounding style. (not that I can compare in any way...) Are the only tips to create the "ideal" tone to just listen and mimic? I play mark vi alto with soloist short shank D.

[Ritchie]

Are you talking about tone or style? Both are very important if you want to say that two players sound similar. Getting a similar tone is not so much a question of getting the same equipment, it's how you use it. A similar equipment may help you, but it is quite possible it will be easier for you to get this particular sound using a different equipment!

Style must not be neglected either, listen to Kenny's phrasing. Try to analyse phrase lengths, phrase shapes, where are rests, breaths, stresses, the use of dynamics, etc. This is at least as important as your tone if you want to sound "contemporary".