200 Years of Sax – Anniversary Poll
Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of famous Belgian Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone. To mark this occasion I thought I’d undertake a bit of audience participation and get you out there in internet land to vote on the greatest proponent of said instrument. I’ve populated the list with people I consider to be likely contenders, but feel free to add your own if your favourite is missing!
Follow @telescoper
In the Dark 
November 6, 2014 at 2:10 pm
If only I knew who “Other” was….
November 6, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Trane got my vote, but I’d have put Adderley and Turrentine above some on that list.
November 6, 2014 at 10:57 pm
Apparently the greatest saxophonist of all time is by definition someone from the 1950s?? I voted for Elton Dean, but nearly voted for Wayne Shorter, and would back up Phillip on Barbara Thomson and Dick Heckstall Smith. But I guess I am a 70s kinda guy.. Oh and maybe Lol Coxhill.
November 6, 2014 at 11:29 pm
The correct answer is obviously Charlie Parker.
November 7, 2014 at 5:51 am
I was honestly surprised when I learned — through playing the grand strategy game Victoria, which simulates the 19th century and awards points for the cultural development of the saxophone — that the saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax. I mean, his name sounds like what you might make up if you were an unprepared student bluffing his way through a history test. It’s not quite as good as “the Ferris wheel was invented by George Washington Ferris”, but it’s up there, anyway.
November 8, 2014 at 9:33 pm
A saxophonist who has the uncanny ability to cultivate hirsuteness with class and style is a clear winner.
November 10, 2014 at 12:20 pm
I haven’t heard A Passion Play for years – must remedy that! But when it comes to hirsuteness, Gerry Mulligan was years ahead of his time.
November 15, 2014 at 3:23 am
Interesting how Ian Anderson has evolved over the years and matured like fine wine; a brilliant visionary.
My fav. is Sonny Rollins. Someone described his playing as, “Swings so sweetly soft, like butter on a heated frying pan. Yummy.” 🙂