Required fields are marked *. As for the list: one persons opinion; nothing else. So many of the others are very badly skewed. Kenny G worked in the mid-to-late 1980s with jazz and R&B artists such as George Benson, Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin. The shrieking and screaming was as piercing and insane as anything I had heard. All of the above. Louis Armstrong is widely seen as the greatest jazz musician of all time for his virtuoso trumpet playing and singing. His solo on Bye, Bye Blackbird, on which he doubles the number of choruses by Miles, is at once beautiful beyond words yet heartbreakingly sad when he offers the prize to an indifferent boss (Miles never spoke an encouraging word to him). "[56], In 2021, HBO released a documentary on Kenny G, Listening to Kenny G, directed by Penny Lane. Kenny G posted Twitter images of his visit to the site of the 2014 Hong Kong protests, which the PRC government has declared illegal, saying, "I wish everyone a peaceful and positive conclusion to this situation". Folk I currently dig: Kenny Garrett - still my all time favourite Cannonball Sonny Stitt Parker (obv) Antonio Hart Danny Janklow Lee Konitz also probably goes in there, though I like his tone less so. Period. I mean Kenny G is a great sax player technically. Typical anti-Sun Ra bias, though. Go back and listed to Time Check by Louis Bellsons Big Band album 150 mph and FM by Steely Dan as examples of the breadth of his chops. Kenny G is widely known in the world for his smooth music and saxophone jazz tunes. He at least was recorded and published, which is more than the Blue Note execs did for Tina Brooks, perhaps the best of the Coltrane challengers with something original to say. what a joke. You have glossed over jazzs foundations. [51] Saxophonist, composer and bandleader Branford Marsalis, stating that he's refusing to "fight that silly war between jazz and smooth jazz," called on G's critics as follows: "When all these jazz guys get in a tizzy over Kenny G, they need to leave Kenny alone. Less belligerent in his attack than Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, though not as smooth or silky as Stan Getz, Mobleys sonorous, well-rounded tone earned him the title The Middleweight Champion Of The Tenor Saxophone. And while Im at it, wheres Charlie Rouse, , Gigi Gryce, Herb Geller, Charles McPherson, Bobby Watson, Sonny Criss, Frank Strozier, Clifford Jordan, Jim Snidero or Gene Quill? He is relentless striver practicing his sax at least three hours each day with a compulsive need to get better at everything, even if its just baking an apple pie in his opulent kitchen. Fred Armisen, middle, as a Kenny G lookalike on an October 2021 episode of "Saturday Night Live.". Would note that Jimmy Forrest is a candidate for the list, even though recordings are few. But I must remind you that leaving out a true giant like Hermione Barnsfather is INEXCUSABLE. A prolific purple patch at the Impulse! http://www.KennyWalker.netSaxophonist, vocalist, arranger, band leader and all around performer. This reminds me of the idiotic liner notes to a DVD set that featured a program with NEA Jazz Master Phil Woods and David Sanborn playing together and the anonymous liner note writer said Sanborn was considered one of the greatest saxophonists of all time. What a joke! But maybe we shouldnt underestimate a musician who can wash away the dust of everyday life for many listeners who are worn down by living in an increasingly divided world. Candy Dulfer is good but I do not agree that she CAN OUTPLAY THIS ENTIRE LIST! Art has something to do with both tradition and talent. Special to The Seattle Times. This Ohio free jazz and avant-garde saxophonist (who played the tenor, alto, and soprano varieties) didn't live to see his 35th birthday, but today, almost 50 years after his death, his music and. 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The great jazz drummer Art Blakely once said that jazz washes away the dust of everyday life.. Stan Getz ahead of Lester Young is just idiotic, ERIC ALEXANDER??!!! His primary instruments are alto and soprano saxophone and flute. Known as theKing in his time! The 65-year-old saxophone player has been called the best-selling instrumentalist of all time, someone whose songs have formed the sonic backdrop of so many weddings, shopping mall and dental office visits that one music critic said hes part of the musical furniture of American culture., The Jazz Police fans and critics who are self-appointed enforcers of jazz purity have called Kenny Gs music safe sax and compared it to takeout Chinese food (an hour later youre hungry again). Next time I would go alone, but the phenomenon was the same. Benny Golson? Surprisingly, I saw no mention that Lou Donaldson played alto (thats what he played when I saw him) on many of his albums and live performances. SIN COMENTARIOS. Marion Brown & John Surman? Kenny G signed with Arista Records as a solo artist in 1982, after label president Clive Davis heard his rendition of "Dancing Queen" by ABBA. And warne Marsh, and Oete Christlieb; or the new bopper Steve Brogdea (name spelling). Baritone???? After 1965 Hank tried to please the Blue Note owners by composing and recording hitswhich most sounded forced, weak, and wooden. Baritone specialist Park Pepper Adams came from Michigan and was a stalwart of the Detroit scene, where he played with Donald Byrd in the late 50s and early 60s. I like most of the players listed, and regret some omissions. God rest his soul, Great Bob the powerful Saxophonist of this last 40 yrs, Ornette Coleman and Booker Ervin two big omissions. His skill and touch have earned him rarefied air. Lockjaw and especially Paul Desmond the alto God cant possibly be listed lower than Stan Getz, for crying out loud. I suggest you listen to the CTI album, Skylark. Its a gem, and verifies Desmonds unique fluid delivery. Ross Wooldrige, Mike Murley, Kirk Mcdonald? As well as having a distinctive and emotionally intense reed sound, Blythe was also a fine composer. Why no British players? More well known for his soft easy listening soprano saxophone instrumental music, he is the saxophone player that everyone loves to hate. Birds of a Feather: A Tribute to Charlie Parker, Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. Published Obviously this list is not a list of best saxophonist, but best straight ahead jazz saxophonist. And if not, does it tarnish his legacy? Kenny Gs music may not fit the classical definition of jazz. About this Discussion. He was great on both saxophone and clarinet! Courtney Pine, Andy Sheppard, Tubby Hayes? Dec. 26, 2022 at 6:00 am. I think Grover Washington, who was one of the best live improvisers, and john klemmer deserve the list. But young Kenny became enthralled by the silky music of jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., whose hits like Just The Two of Us heralded the 1980s rise of the smooth jazz genre. [70], Kenny G is an aircraft pilot and has a De Havilland Beaver seaplane which he flies regularly. Kenny G (born 1956) is an amazing saxophonist. Eddie Harris. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15DC-_cfh_w. Donaldson also sat in as a sideman on notable sessions by Thelonious Monk, Clifford Brown, Art Blakey, and Jimmy Smith. Roscoe Mitchell? Coltrane rewrote the book on tenor saxophone playing and also helped to popularize the soprano version of the instrument. A master of the swinging saxophone. Mulligan is overrated I would have him further down the list. Anthony Braxton? Houston Person & Phil Woods deserve to be on the list before a number of others that are on here.. You sure you know jazz? It must be. Hes the Sonny Rollins favorite. Phil Woods missing? The Kenny G VST Saxophones software is a realistic virtual saxophone instrument that provides you with the same sounds of Kenny G's saxophones, allowing you to sound like the world famous musician himself by playing your own personal instrument. His first live album, Kenny G Live, included popular songs, among which "Going Home" achieved great success in the People's Republic of China. [1] Kenny G is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with global sales totaling more than 75 million records. This list is far from comprehensive or representative. He had reached his peak, imo, during his cadenza on his final recording of the Billy Eckstine hit, I Dont Want to Talk About You. He recorded it with Red Garland in the 50s and, in a striking revision, at the old Birdland in 63 (with his classic quartet). The album featured R&B singer Brian McKnight and included the single "One More Time", a duet with Chant Moore. Dubbed The Boss, Windy City native Gene Jug Ammons might have been the scion of boogie-woogie piano meister Albert Ammons, but he was drawn to the tenor saxophone and began his career in the 40s. Fascinated by its sound, he obtained a Buffet Crampon alto saxophone in 1966 at the age of 10, though he would later go on to specialize in the soprano saxophone. After Coltrane had completed A Love Supreme, he used the brief time left him to test the limits of total freedom, which is total chaos, uproarious cacophony, a void of self-indulgent bloat. I count four saxophonists from the pre-swing era, although you bootlickers probably fap off to that meandering shit thats been known as jazz for the past seventy years. Having said that, he has sold over 75 million albums, so there are obviously a lot of people who love him ! Kenny Garrett After playing saxophone in The Duke Ellington Orchestra (then under the leadership of Mercer Ellington, following Duke's death) whilst still a teenager, Garrett did sideman work with major figures like Woody Shaw, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis, appearing on various Davis albums including Amandla. His fourth solo album, Duotones, was released in September 1986 and features an original instrumental track, "Songbird", inspired by his decision to move from Seattle to Los Angeles, which marked the start of a new life for him. Born Walter Theodore Rollins in New York, his career took off in the 50s and his big, robust sound, combined with his gift for melodic improvisation, gained him the nickname Saxophone Colossus. Peter Brtzmann? IMHO that is a true sign of greatness and legacy Bird Lives! 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