Invented in the early 1840s, the saxophone was a relative latecomer to music—and to jazz. But starting in the mid-1920s, with the rise of the big bands, the instrument slowly but steadily evolved from ...

The tenor sax is a jazz instrument. The paradigmatic jazz instrument, if I may thrown in a $50 word. How many tenor sax sonatas or concertos can you think of that feature the tenor as a solo, or even ...

When tenor saxophonist John Coltrane recorded his composition "Giant Steps" in 1959, he created something that changed the way musicians thought about improvisation and harmony. Decades earlier, the ...

John Coltrane and other famed jazz saxophonists hit piercing high notes that amateurs can't by expertly changing the shape of their vocal tracts, research now reveals. The finding addresses a ...

Saxophonist Buddy Tate, a leading member of the Count Basie Orchestra in the 1940s, has died. Tate died Saturday in Chandler, Ariz. He was 87. Considered by many critics to be one of the more ...

Thanks to the high-profile efforts of President Clinton, the tenor saxophone has suddenly become the national musical instrument of choice. With our new horn-blowing, rock-and-rolling leader still in ...

Teddy Edwards, the bebop-era tenor saxophonist considered one of the crown jewels of Los Angeles’ Central Avenue jazz scene of the 1940s, died Sunday in Los Angeles after a long bout with prostate ...

Hampton Roads saxophonist Matt Willard could not play music for 14 months after being diagnosed with lockjaw. It’s time for a ...

The Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. From the dulcet tones of Kenny G to the infectious hook to ...