1. Rudy Wiedoeft (1893)

Saxophonist

Rudy Wiedoeft is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on January 3, 1893 in United States. Popular saxophonist of the 1920s who helped to popularize the instrument through his many...

2. Johnny Dodds (1892)

Saxophonist

Johnny Dodds is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on April 12, 1892 in United States. Alto saxophonist who recorded with many notable acts, like Jelly Roll Morton, and who...

3. Peewee Russell (1906)

Saxophonist

Clarinet and saxophone player who played a wide variety of genres, including swing and jazz. He was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1987.

4. Sigurd Rascher (1907)

Saxophonist

Classical saxophone pioneer who had more than twenty major compositions created for him, including Ballade for Alto Saxophone, String Orchestra, Piano and Tympani by Frank Martin.

5. John Gilmore (1931)

Saxophonist

John Gilmore is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on September 28, 1931 in United States. Major collaborator with Sun Ra and his Arkestra from the 1950s to the 1990s....

6. Charlie Parker (1920)

Saxophonist

Charlie Parker is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on August 29, 1920 in United States. Jazz saxophonist known for his solo improvisations. He is considered one of the founders...

7. Eddie Cleanhead Vinson (1917)

Saxophonist

Eddie Cleanhead Vinson is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on December 18, 1917 in United States. Otherwise known as Cleanhead, Vinson was an influential bandleader, jazz saxophone player, and...

8. Paul Gonsalves (1920)

Saxophonist

Jazz tenor saxophonist who helped revitalize Duke Ellington's sluggish career in the 1950s. He played the Newport Jazz Festival to great acclaim.

9. Mark Turner (1965)

Saxophonist

Jazz saxophonist who is renowned for releases such as the album Dharma Days, as well as for his work with the band Fly.

10. Dominic Lalli (1976)

Saxophonist

Saxophonist who became known as a member of hip-hop and jazz musical group Big Gigantic. They have toured extensively playing at top venues worldwide, including Bonaroo, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza,...

11. Peter Wasilewski (1976)

Saxophonist

Ska saxophonist known primarily for his work with the band Less Than Jake. He also spent time playing for Spring Heeled Jack, where he served as a vocalist as well.

12. Von Freeman (1923)

Saxophonist

Considered one of the founders of the Chicago School of Jazz. He was also a Navy veteran and a hard bop tenor saxophone player.

13. Gavin Fitzjohn (1925)

Saxophonist

American jazz saxophonist and trumpet player who has collaborated on more than fifty recordings with artists like Manic Street Preachers.

14. Noble Watts (1926)

Saxophonist

Tenor saxophonist known for his fiery sound and for his work with many famous artists in the 1950s and 1960s, like Dinah Washington.

15. Big Jay McNeely (1927)

Saxophonist

Big Jay McNeely is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on April 29, 1927 in United States. R&B Hall of Famer known for his raucous stage antics and helped popularize...

16. Warne Marsh (1927)

Saxophonist

Tenor saxophonist who was a member of Supersax in the 1970s and the protégé of Lennie Tristano.

17. Chad Lefkowitz-Brown (1989)

Saxophonist

Professional saxophonist who is known for his jazz music both as a soloist and as backup for a range of other professional musicians and artists. He is a part of...

18. Red Holloway (1927)

Saxophonist

Tenor jazz saxophonist who recorded prolifically with an array of celebrated musicians, including Chuck Berry.

19. Harold Land (1928)

Saxophonist

Hard bop saxophonist who was well-known for his strong, modern sound. He played with the Max Roach/Clifford Brown Band for years.

20. Frank Foster (1928)

Saxophonist

Award-winning saxophonist, humanitarian, and leader of Living Color and The Loud Minority. He played often with Count Basie.

21. Laurdine Patrick (1929)

Saxophonist

Baritone and alto saxophonist who also played bass and who collaborated with Sun Ra for more than forty years.

22. Marion Brown (1931)

Saxophonist

Celebrated ethnomusicologist and avant-garde jazz saxophonist who played on Ascension, John Coltrane's monumental 1965 release.

23. Eugene Rousseau (1932)

Saxophonist

Recipient of a 1962 Fulbright Grant who is a saxophone consultant, performer, and professor of music. Pieces have been written for him, like "Hear Again in Memory" by Frederick A....

24. John Handy (1933)

Saxophonist

Saxophonist who received Grammy Award nominations for "Spanish Lady" and "If Only We Knew."

25. Sam Reed (1935)

Saxophonist

Over the course of his career as a tenor saxophonist, Reed contributed to recordings by Teddy Pendergrass, Dusty Springfield, Billy Paul, and several other popular musicians and bands.

26. Jan Garbarek (1947)

Saxophonist

Jan Garbarek is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on March 4, 1947 in Norway. Norwegian tenor and saxophonist who is most recognized for his numerous recordings with ECM Records,...

27. Leo Pellegrino (1991)

Saxophonist

Saxophonist who has become famous for his dance moves and attention-grabbing dress style in addition to his playing. He is widely known for performing with the band Too Many Zooz, who...

28. David Jackson (1947)

Saxophonist

David Jackson is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on April 15, 1947 in United Kingdom. Progressive rock saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with the band Van...

29. James Carter (1969)

Saxophonist

Notable for his work on the baritone saxophone, bass clarinet, and flute, this prominent jazz musician collaborated with opera singer Kathleen Battle, saxophonist Julius Hemphill, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and numerous...

30. Pharoah Sanders (1940)

Saxophonist

Grammy Award-winning free jazz pioneer who is considered one of the greatest tenor saxophonists to ever live. Amiri Baraka supposedly gave him the name Pharaoh.

31. Hamiet Bluiett (1940)

Saxophonist

Multi-instrumentalist and member of the World Saxophone Quartet. He founded The Clarinet Family in the 1980s.

32. Roscoe Mitchell (1940)

Saxophonist

Avant-garde saxophonist who is considered a jazz iconoclast by the New York Times. He was an early member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians.

33. George Adams (1940)

Saxophonist

Multi-instrumentalist with an idiosyncratic singing style who has collaborated with a variety of musicians, like Gil Evans. He released many recordings on Blue Note.

34. Peter Brontzmann (1941)

Saxophonist

Peter Brontzmann is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on March 6, 1941 in Germany. Jazz musician who has performed on more than one hundred albums, including Into the Valley...

35. PJ Perry (1941)

Saxophonist

Known for My Ideal, Come Sunday, Worth Waiting For, and numerous other jazz albums, this Canadian saxophonist was a two-time Juno Award recipient.

36. Alfred Ellis (1941)

Saxophonist

Saxophonist and member of James Brown's band in the 1960s who co-wrote hits like "Cold Sweat."

37. Grover Washington Jr. (1943)

Saxophonist

Grover Washington Jr. is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on December 12, 1943 in United States. A pioneer of the smooth jazz genre who was prolific composer, with hits...

38. Willie Smith (1910)

Saxophonist

Alto saxophone swing musician who worked with an array of celebrated musicians, including Nat King Cole.

39. Keith Gemmell (1948)

Saxophonist

Rock musician and saxophone player who is best known for playing in the English art-rock band Audience. He first played on the band's self-titled debut in 1969 and then went...

40. David Ware (1949)

Saxophonist

Bandleader, composer, saxophonist, and founder of the David S. Ware Quartet. He was the bandleader on twenty-nine albums over the course of his career, including Great Bliss Vol. 1 and...

41. Yashar Khosravi (1986)

Saxophonist

Iranian saxophonist who is known for releasing songs such as "Mokhatab Khas", "Loneliness" and "VasVase". He has also done production work for Macan Band. 

42. Emilio Castillo (1950)

Saxophonist

Founder of the R&B-based horn section and band Tower of Power. He is a multi-instrumentalist, skilled in playing saxophone, guitar, and piano.

43. Wisam Khassaf (1978)

Saxophonist

Iraqi saxophonist who has become hugely popular for sharing his work across social media. He has gained particular renown on his eponymous Instagram account for showcasing his lifestyle through photos...

44. Missael Oseguera (1978)

Saxophonist

Saxophonist for Mexican ska band Panteón Rococó. 

45. Lovely Laura (1982)

Saxophonist

Saxophonist who is best recognized for her collaborations with DJ's and live electronic performances. She is known for her track "Just Want Your Body" and for playing live shows throughout...

46. Desmond Amos (1994)

Saxophonist

Saxophonist who placed his focus on jazz whether it be fusion, funk, or smooth jazz. He has over 40,000 followers on his desmondamos Instagram account. 

47. James Briggs (1978)

Saxophonist

Keyboardist and saxophonist for the rock ska band The Aquabats. He also appeared on the television series The Aquabats! Super Show! from 2012 to 2014.

48. Daro Behroozi (1990)

Saxophonist

Tenor saxophonist for the funk outfit Lucky Chops who has also served as a bass clarinetist, alto saxophonist, clarinetist, hand drummer and more for the group.

49. Bob Reynolds (1977)

Saxophonist

Bob Reynolds is a famous Saxophonist, who was born on September 29, 1977 in United States. Jazz tenor saxophonist and Grammy Award-winning member of the band Snarky Puppy. He’s known...

50. Rob Ingraham (1985)

Saxophonist

Widely known as the saxophonist for the New Orleans-based rock band The Revivalists. His group's third studio album, Man Amongst Mountains, debuted at #2 on Billboard's Alternative Albums chart in...