recommended listening - alto sax

[sassofonu]

Hi all

i would like to build up a list of great alto sax pieces to listen to. I have a lot of smooth, slow jazz... would like something a little more lively which doesn't send my friends to sleep... something with the ritmo of Take Five by Desmond etc.

any suggestions?

thanks!

[fballatore]

Take Five by Desmond :)

Seriously...

I'm going to mention a couple of names that I never see mentioned on SOTW. If you like upbeat smooth jazz, try out Spyro Gyra. I love Jay Beckenstein. If you want a little funk, check out Candy Dulfer.

[danarsenault]

When I was a student at Berklee, I had a work/study job in the library. The librarian was also a musician, who was fond of saying, "Hey, kid. Listen to Miles, and listen to me. That's all you need."

[brutlix]

well, im sure you wont go wrong with

kenny garrett and his album 'happy people',

or any stuff by maceo parker.

[jrvinson45]

I second Jay Beckenstein for newer listeners... while he recieves more attention as the "founder" or "leader" of Spyro Gyra, to my taste, he is one of the more underrated or under-appreciated sax players around. While not a recognized ground-breaker in the avant garde sense, I feel he is definitely one of the most listenable and reliable players out there... not jazz, but contemporary instrumental... he makes good music and is a heck of a player... start with "Catching the Sun" or Morning Dance from the early days but don't be put off by "Eye Contact" his foray into recording without Spyro Gyra that you'll still think is Spyro Gyra on steroids. I'm still a dyed in the wool jazz fan from the Parker, Getz, Zoot, Dexter, Desmond etc. days, but if you're looking for something that is more in today's pop vein, it's hard to beat Jay Beckenstein.

[dpwadw]

Consider listening to Gerald Albright play "Georgia on my mind" for inspiration.

On second thought, listening to it might make you want to quit. ;)

But seriously, he's a smooth player (who takes a lot of grief for it), that can really play in several genres. His inspirations are Cannonball and Grover. That alone shows diverse tastes.

This is a live recording where he simply leaves it all on the stage.

[jsjazz]

I'm really into Phil Woods, Cannonball and Jackie McLean, but I'm not sure that's what you're looking for. As for "Modern" alto players, Sanborn's new cd "Closer" is very nice. It has almost an acoustic feel to it. Different from a lot of his other stuff. Andy Snitzer is also a great player to listen to. This might be a little too "out" for you but try some Greg Osby and Kenny Garrett!
Jeff

[altoblues]

Two essential recordings, and very popular with everyone I've given them to - Art Pepper "Meets the Rhythm Section" and Lee Konitz with Warne Marsh (the actual record by this name, not just the general association).

[Jeff Flatt]

Here's a mixed bag for you to choose from that's a bit wider than just jazz, and nothing like Desmond at all :?

Rosario Guiliani, Phil Woods, Kenny Garrett (all Jazz), Paquito D'Rivera (Latin), Soweto Kinch (Jazz/Rap), King Curtis, Ace Cannon (rock n roll), John Zorn with Naked City (rock n roll/hardcore).

All great players at what they do methinks and well worth a listen.

[altoist]

Well, no one quite sounds like Desmond, so if you want more of that
Desmond sound, you'll have to go to the source. There's a ton of
great Desmond out there. A lot of it is slow, Desmond was one of the
few alto players who could play a lovely ballad and compete in that
game with the tenor players. I think Take Ten and Bossa Anigua are
mostly medium tempo, more like Take Five. Also, "Summerime", if you
can find it.

Bud Shank, Brazilliance, is really good. Also anything by Herb Geller, like
the Arthur Schwartz songbook album.

Of the modern guys, there's an album by the Earl May Quartet featuring
altoist Dave Glasser, called "Swingin' the Blues" I think, which is really
great if you like swing. Glasser plays bebop too, but on this album he
plays terrific, idiomatic, swing music.

If you like music that's a bit more "out", but still can be listened to,
John Handy is criminally underrated. Speaking of Take Five, he has a
modal piece in 5/4 on "The Second John Handy Album" called Theme X
(I think) which is cool. That whole album is interesting.

[sharp5]

Frank Morgan