Charlie Parker

Charlie Parker- He was the leading figure in the art of improvisational bop in the 1940's. He began playing when he was just 11 in his school band. In his late teen years Charlie Parker was practicing up to 15 hours a day. He continued this trend for nearly 4 years. After moving to new york he made huge advancements in improvisational techniques. Chromatic scales allowed him to connect all of the standard scales for better transitions. His work inspired other greats such as Coleman Hawkins. Charlie died of a heart attack at 34 due to heavy heroin use. Parker was the founder of the foundation of bebop music. His inventiveness and consistent playing made him one of the greatest saxophone artists of the century. His inventiveness and dedication to the jazz world makes Charlie Parker the most important figure in Jazz.

John Coltrane

John Coltrane-(Saint John William Coltrane)- John Coltrane grew up in Hamlet, North Carolina. He studied jazz theory in his teens. It all began for Coltrane when he went to the Navy. He began playing with a few other background artists on his tenor sax. After playing with other Naval members he moved to Philly' for freelance work. A declining Miles Davis contacted him during the late 40's. The two grouped up and formed what was known as the "First Great Quintet." Their success was long-lived. Both Coltrane and Davis's heroin addictions led to the break up of their band after a year. John Coltrane's later life was full of success. Mid life, canonization by the African Orthodox Church left him a Saint. He pioneered the use of modes, "The changing of scales by use of semitones." Not only did he pioneer the basics but he became the leading free jazz improvisor and forefront of free jazz which lasted into the 50's. After multiple quintet's, Coltrane played with the Duke Ellington band and became a true jazz giant. His death shocked many, for it was liver cancer. Very few people knew of his actual condition at the time. His legacy will forever live on. His witty and melodic harmonization makes John Coltrane the second most important jazz saxophonist ever.

Theodore "Sonny" Rollins

Theodore "Sonny" Rollins- Sonny Rollins grew up in Harlem. Living in Harlem put him very close to center of the bebop movement. He grew up idolizing Coleman Hawkins. He began his musical career playing alto saxophone and flourished on the tenor saxophone. Before he turned twenty his talent put him in the spotlight with Miles Davis and Bud Powell. He got by with a little help from a friend. Charlie Parker taught him the ways early in his life. Soon he emerged into an improvisational god in Chicago. His success led him to a period of 0 public performances. After two years in the shadows he exploded onto the jazz scene. He polished his improvisational solos and recorded multiple albums. Later in Sonny's life he received many prestigious awards. He won the Edward MacDowell Medal for outstanding contribution to his field. He also received an award from President Barack Obama and many more. His playing shaped the next generations of Jazz players.

Coleman Hawkins

Coleman Hawkins- Coleman Hawkins was born in 1906. This gave him the necessary years to develop more uses for the Tenor saxophone. He began his life by studying harmonies and composition. He first began playing saxophone at the early age of nine! His playing led him to New York City, where he would play with Louis Armstrong and the fantastic Henderson Orchestra. While working with the orchestra he participated in some of the first interracial recordings. After visiting Europe and playing for awhile Coleman came back to the U.S. When he got back he recorded two landmark swing era albums. His interest in harmonic structure led to the creation of what is considered as the beginning of next generation of Jazz. Miles Davis learned the meaning of ballads from his playing. Lester Young looked upon Coleman as if he was a god. His career slowly declined, but his impact on the jazz evolution will forever be recognized.

Lester Young

Lester Young- Lester Young was born into a musical family. His dad taught him three instruments and then saxophone. He began by playing in circuits and in vaudeville events. After turning 18 he refused to tour Southern U.S. due to the racism. Lester joined Count Basie's band after moving to Kansas City. He recorded many albums and soon left after being superstitious. His work with his brother and star-singer Billie Holliday sky-rocketed his reputation. He then left for the army after being drafted. After his term he followed heavy drinking binges for the rest of his life, until death. Before his death he created the "Sound of Jazz" on CBS and showed the world what the famous jazz musicians could do. His smooth playing jumped into the hearts of avid listeners and has stuck there ever since.

The Cannible

Julian "Cannonball" Adderley- Julian Adderley was extremely famous by the end of his life. The beginning of his career skyrocketed in New York, but began in Florida. His early adventure in school nicknamed him the "cannibal" for his fast eating capacity. In the early 1940's Cannonball played with his brother Nat and Ray Charles, the god of piano. After gaining reputation he moved on to New York city where he would accidentally land a gig in a small club. This gained the attention of Mile's Davis during the peak of his career. His work in the field of electric jazz with Miles Davis makes him a key figure in Jazz history.

Dexter Gordon

Dexter Gordon- Dexter Gordon played a strong role in the up rise of bebop. His father, Dr. Frank Gordon, introduced him to the world of music. As one of the first African American doctors in Los Angeles he was doctor to the famed artist: Duke Ellington. This inspirational figure pushed him to begin playing an instrument at the age of 13. By 15 he was playing alto saxaphone, and by 17 he had switched to tenor. After high school Dexter had the honor of playing with Lee young (Lester Young's little brother). His career skyrocketed when he met and sat with Lester Young while touring with one of his first bands. In 1944 Dexter scored a spot in Louis Armstrong's Orchestra. He recorded some of his first major material with them. By 1945 he was recording some of the most innovative bebop to date. By the late 40's he was playing with the best. Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, and Miles Davis created the most monumental bebop movement albums. His legendary arrangements with some of the greatest puts him up in ranks with the best.

Stan Getz

Stan Getz-  While growing up in the NYC, Stan Getz found a particularly comfortable place playing saxophone to the beats of his inspiration- Lester Young. Stan Getz is the key figure in the movement of Bossa Nova in the 50's and 60's. After playing cool jazz in Europe with Charlie Parker's great ensemble, he got involved in the jazz-samba movement. Despite the short life of the movement it had granted him increasing popularity, riches, and enough Grammy's for the whole family. His skills soon brought him to Stanford's Jazz Workshops, where he remained for a good portion of his life. He died on June 6th, 1991.  His work inspired many artists not only to play, but to stay off drugs.

Eric Dolphy

Eric Dolphy- Helped push the jazz in the 50's. He pioneered interesting noises on the saxaphone. At the time there were few people that had ever dared, but he turned it into an art. He made lifelike noises of animals and humans which nearly made his instrument speak. His improvisational style had heavy use of intervals. His career started off with a bang with the help of the Coltrane. They played together for a few shows, but his biggest was highlighted with the honor of lead alto sax. In a tragic incident the diabetic man ingested accidentally ingested insulin. After being administered to the hospital he was given drugs to cleanse his system. The doctors figured he had overdosed on drugs. Their stereotypical view of substance abusing black jazz musicians wen to far, and got Eric Dolphy accidentally killed. His legacy will forever live on in the heart of jazz.

Lou Marini

Lou Marini (Blue Lou)- He is a personal favorite of mine and an all-time master at blending with bands. He has played with many greats, and gone platinum with most. The Saturday Night Live Band, Blues Brothers, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Lou Reed, Jimmy Buffet. Frank Zappa, Steely Dan, and even Aerosmith! He's also been the recipient of a Grammy award for his playing and compositions! To this day he is one of the most sought out sideman in the world of music. His style, skill, compassion, and lack of comparison to any other saxaphonists make him the perfect candidate for his 11th position on the list.