1. Marcel Mule (1901)

Saxophonist

Founder of the French Saxophone School and one of the most influential saxophonists to ever live. He founded many ensembles, including the Quatuor de la Garde Républicaine.

2. Johnny Hodges (1907)

Saxophonist

One of the Big Band Era's greatest jazz saxophonists. He nurtured a longtime collaboration with Duke Ellington.

3. Don Byas (1970)

Saxophonist

Collaborator with many jazz greats who took Lester Young's place in Count Basie's band in 1941. He was a bandleader on more than twenty albums, including Midnight at Minton's.

4. Earl Bostic (1912)

Saxophonist

Rhythm and Blues pioneer in post-war America who was a significant influence on John Coltrane. He drew influence from artists like Sidney Bechet.

5. Buddy Tate (1913)

Saxophonist

Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame inductee and one of the greatest tenor saxophone players of his generation. He was the bandleader on more than twenty albums over the...

6. Alfred Gallodoro (1970)

Saxophonist

Lead alto saxophonist in the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. He taught music at Hartwick College shortly before his death.

7. Ernie Wilkins (1919)

Saxophonist

Jazz composer and arranger who is known for his collaborations with Count Basie. He formed the Almost Big Band in Denmark during his final years.

8. Daniel Bennett (1979)

Saxophonist

Famous for his folk and jazz fusion music, this acclaimed saxophonist formed The Daniel Bennett Group and collaborated with such notable musicians as Chris Hersch, Jason Davis, Bill Frisell, and...

9. Frank Catalano (1978)

Saxophonist

Popular Chicago jazz saxophonist who toured with Santana at the age of eighteen.

10. Bruce Turner (1922)

Saxophonist

Remembered for his collaborations with such notable jazz musicians as Humphrey Lyttelton and Don Byas, this 20th-century jazz saxophonist and clarinetist served as the bandleader for numerous recordings, including The...

11. Sam Rivers (1923)

Saxophonist

Pioneering jazz saxophonist who helped define the avant-garde "loft" scene in the 1960s and 1970s. He collaborated with many different artists, including many Blue Note artists.

12. Hal Stein (1970)

Saxophonist

Bebop and alto saxophonist who performed music for almost his entire life with the likes of Charlie Parker. He also played with Toshiko Akiyoshi's quartet.

13. Ed Summerlin (1970)

Saxophonist

Liturgical, avant-garde, and free jazz pioneer who also taught music and worked as a performer and composer.

14. Jack Nimitz (1930)

Saxophonist

Jazz baritone saxophone player who worked as a session musician with many famous acts like The Beach Boys, appearing on songs like "Sloop John B."

15. Gato Barbieri (1932)

Saxophonist

Free jazz musician known for his 1970s Latin jazz recordings like Under Fire. He recorded music for the film Seven Servants.

16. Chris Potter (1971)

Saxophonist

Artist who has appeared on more than 150 recordings and voted Best Tenor Saxophonist by Down Beat Magazine from 2004 to 2007.

17. Gary Foster (1936)

Saxophonist

Multireedist collaborator on many Grammy, Academy, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-winning soundtracks. He has worked as a music teacher at various institutions, including Pasadena City College.

18. Lee Thompson (1957)

Saxophonist

Saxophonist and songwriter for Madness, a second-wave ska band known for their single "Our House," as well as "House of Fun" and "Uncle Sam."

19. Ted Nash (1922)

Saxophonist

Multi-instrumentalist who performed on all of Henry Mancini's film and television soundtracks in the late 1950s.

20. Nathan Davis (1937)

Saxophonist

Famous for his leadership of the Paris Reunion Band and the neo soul group The Roots. He was also notable for his work in the hard-bop sub-genre of jazz music.

21. Fela Kuti (1938)

Saxophonist

Afrobeat pioneer, political activist, composer, and musician. His life was commemorated in an off-Broadway musical called Fela!, which was nominated for more than ten Tony Awards.

22. Charles Miller (1939)

Saxophonist

Saxophone player and flautist for the funk band War whose vocal work made "Low Rider" a hit.

23. Hans Dulfer (1940)

Saxophonist

Jazz fusion tenor saxophonist with a huge following in Japan, his album Hyperbeat being a best-seller.

24. Dave Edwards (1941)

Saxophonist

Big Band musician and multireedist who played alto saxophone on the Lawrence Welk Show from 1968 to 1979.

25. James King (1984)

Saxophonist

American multi-instrumentalist who is best known for being the co-founder and saxophone player of the soul band Fitz and The Tantrums. 

26. Sharel Cassity (1978)

Saxophonist

Professional musician and saxophonist who is known for being named ASCAP Young Jazz Composer. She has toured extensive globally and in 2020 had the opportunity to perform with the Cincinnati Pops...

27. Nigel Hitchcock (1970)

Saxophonist

English jazz saxophonist who played for Itchy Fingers and the London Symphony Orchestra. He also played with Tom Jones and Wet Wet Wet.

28. Paquito D'rivera (1948)

Saxophonist

Multi-instrumentalist and winner of multiple Grammy Awards.

29. Stan Sulzmann (1970)

Saxophonist

Jazz saxophonist who played with the European Jazz Ensemble and is featured in the theme music of Poirot, a british mystery show.

30. Eric Darius (1970)

Saxophonist

American saxophonist who has gained fame in the jazz world and beyond for albums like Night on the Town and Breakin' Thru. He is also notable for his On a...

31. John Harle (1956)

Saxophonist

Teacher, composer, producer, and award-winning saxophonist who started off as a clarinet with the Band of the Coldstream Guards.

32. Karl Denson (1956)

Saxophonist

Jazz and funk saxophonist, flautist, and singer. He founded a band called The Greyboy Allstars and also played with Lenny Kravitz's musical group.

33. Ralph Moore (1970)

Saxophonist

Jazz saxophonist who is known for his work as a sideman with Superblue, and released Who It Is You Are.

34. Arash Samimi (1970)

Saxophonist

Iranian saxophonist who is best known for performing in venues throughout his native country. He has a popular Instagram account featuring lifestyle, travel, and music-related posts.

35. Debra Richtmeyer (1970)

Saxophonist

First woman to teach a master class and be a concerto soloist with an orchestra at the World Saxophone Congress. She has been the recipient of many teaching awards, including...

36. Caio Mesquita (1970)

Saxophonist

Brazilian saxophonist who is known for appearing on the soundtrack of several Rede Record programs including Proof of Love and Alta Estacao. He is also known for his popular album...

37. Donald Harrison Jr. (1960)

Saxophonist

Creator of the Nouveau Swing style of jazz, known for his work with Headhunters and the Donald Harrison Electric Band.

38. John Waugh (1988)

Saxophonist

Saxophone player best known for touring internationally with The 1975 who also performs as a member of The New Standard and Extra Curricular. He released an instrumental debut EP called...

39. Justin Ward (1988)

Saxophonist

Award-winning saxophonist with numerous local jazz festival solo award honors who plays alongside big-time DJs in California nightclubs. He has a large YouTube presence of more than 280,000 subscribers who...

40. Andrew White (1942)

Saxophonist

Multi-instrumentalist who performed with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, and Elvin Jones.

41. Alfonzo Blackwell (1953)

Saxophonist

Contemporary jazz saxophonist known for his self-titled album, Alfonzo Blackwell.