I often have students who are interested in getting into jazz who haven’t had much experience listening to jazz. This list is what I recommend to students who need direction to start to figure out what they want to sound like.
With the baritone saxophone, there are many great examples of solos in big bands and horn section-driven bands – I’m going to leave those for another post, which also means that Harry Carney doesn’t make my first list, but he factors in huge in the big band list.
Here are five recordings, in no particular order, that I recommend to baritone saxophone players as a launching point for their listening.
- Three Baritone Saxophone Band – Ronnie Cuber, Nick Brignola, and Gary Smulyan
These three masters of the baritone saxophone all on one recording, paying homage to a player who brought the baritone saxophone out from the section. I think that this recording is a great way to introduce these three players, and their individual styles to new listeners. I also think that the baritone sax voice gets simplified into three distinct categories – cool/West Coast, hard bop, and avant garde. Being able to hear Ronnie Cuber, Nick Brignola, and Gary Smulyan side by side gives the listener a better opportunity to compare, and contrast their styles.
2. Dream A Little Dream – Gerry Mulligan
I’m biased on this recording. This was the first Gerry Mulligan recording that I really got into. TONE! And I love the feel of the quartet, and Mulligan’s lines. I transcribed most of this recording. You can check out my transcription of They Say It’s Wonderful here.
3. Rollin’ With Leo – Leo Parker
Leo Parker blended bebop and the blues together, and that has influenced so many baritone saxophonists since. To me, he’s the source for modern jazz baritone sax playing. Every time I listen to him, I am reminded of his influence on many players in the jazz world, but also the RnB, and funk players of today. Here’s my transcription of Stuffy.
4. Urban Dreams – Pepper Adams
I came to Pepper Adams much later than any of the other players on this list. I couldn’t wrap my head around his playing, and one day I shuffled into this recording in the car, and was totally taken with it. His lines are so clean and the harmony is so clear! I have Dexter Rides Again on my list for solos to transcribe.
Glancing Backwards: The Dawn Anthology – John Surman
John Surman is one of, if not my favourite baritone saxophonist. I love how creative he is, and the tonal variety he plays with. As a composer, and improvisor, his output is prolific, and he performs in so many different configurations. For a new listener, John Surman’s music can be a bit challenging to grasp, but I always like to introduce his music to hear the colour palette of the baritone saxophone used in so many different ways, and situations.
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