Saxophone Styles

Band leader Fletcher Henderson had an ear for talent. He hired trumpeter Louis Armstrong and pianist Fats Waller, among other big names. In twelve years (1923-1935), many great or soon-to-be-great players rotated through the band. Those who left couldn't take the rowdy lifestyle of Fletcher in New York City.

Long-time member Coleman Hawkins is said to have perfected the tenor saxophone. When he traveled, local saxophonists flocked to the bars he played in order to challenge him. He out-performed everyone. Unfortunately, his characteristic rich tone suits itself to the long notes of smooth jazz, and smooth jazz rarely swings. The "Esquire Bounce" is the only swinging song of his that I could find.

Hawkins quit Fletcher's band in 1935 to go to London. Rumor is he grew tired of the constant battle to be the best in the States. One of his challengers, Lestor Young, briefly replaced him. The Kansas boy's lighter style upset the rest of the band, though, so he left just two months after joining. Their loss. That light touch suits itself to dancing, as in "I've Got Rhythm" with Count Basie.

FYI: There are three major types of saxophone: soprano, alto, and tenor. As the sound gets lower, the instrument gets bigger. Before the Hawk, no one had figured out how to play the tenor loud enough to be heard over other horns or well enough deserve being in a band at all.

From left to right in the picture are an alto, soprano, and tenor.