I decided, after much consideration, to contribute a list of various blues tracks recorded by saxophonists who have had a profound influence on me. I must say that it was exceedingly difficult to come up with a short list of favorites. In the end, I resolved to jot down the first eight tunes that came to mind, but the truth is I could have come up with hundreds of cuts I really adore. So here we go, in no particular order:
“Down Home Blues”
THE SONNY STITT QUARTET
New York Jazz (Verve, 1956)
Stitt was my first influence, and he should be one of the all-time greats in anyone’s book. He’s playing alto on this cut, and I love the way he makes the horn scream in the upper register: To me, that’s one of the secrets to having a great alto sound. No wimpy palm keys! He uses all of his classic devices and plays with such a soulful feeling on this one.
“Blues to You”
JOHN COLTRANE
Coltrane Plays the Blues (Atlantic, 1962)
Trane started simplifying what he was playing in terms of forms and progressions around this time. Instead of playing tunes with a lot of changes, he was favoring the blues and more vamp-oriented themes. He was able to express many of the things he was thinking about on this track, and on this record as a whole. It could be argued that his tone, rhythmic concept and harmonic logic here form the basis for what many saxophonists are still trying to express today.
“Cryin’ Blues”
EDDIE HARRIS
The In Sound (Atlantic, 1965)
Eddie Harris is way underrated today; a lot young players, unfortunately, are not aware of his music. He was one of the first modern funk players, but he also had an incredibly hip harmonic concept. He was an original voice that came from the Chicago tenor tradition and put his own stamp on the world of jazz.
“Parker’s Mood”
THE CHARLIE PARKER ALL STARS (Savoy, 1948)
Bird is the king of modern music. I don’t doubt that if he showed up in New York next week he’d have everybody’s stuff figured out within a month-and would be doing it better. His vocabulary, both harmonically and rhythmically, is still the basis for almost everything I hear being played by anyone. This track is just one of so many examples of how he could play the “real” blues and play super hip at the same time. Too much!
“Blues Inside Out”
ELVIN JONES (GEORGE COLEMAN, TENOR)
Skyscrapers, Vol. 1 (Honeydew, 1977)
George Coleman is a magnificent player and a great human being. He takes playing alternate changes on the blues to an otherworldly level on this cut. Plus, the way he plays time with Elvin Jones is astonishing. Anyone who hasn’t heard this should make it a top priority. George is the top cat out there, in my book.
“Blues for Philly Joe”
SONNY ROLLINS
Newk’s Time (Blue Note, 1958)
I believe it was Bert Wilson who told me that Sonny was the greatest pure bebop tenor saxophonist of all time during this period of his playing. I’m inclined to agree. You can hear how Bird’s language and pacing permeate his style here. But in terms of his big sound (reminiscent of Coleman Hawkins) and his interactive rhythmic concept with Philly Joe Jones, he is most assuredly his own man.
“Hittin’ the Jug”
GENE AMMONS
Boss Tenor (Prestige, 1960)
When I was first hanging around in Chicago listening to Von Freeman, I asked him what, in his opinion, was the most indispensible Gene Ammons recording. He told me this one. Enough said.
“Soul Station”
HANK MOBLEY
Soul Station (Blue Note, 1960)
Hank, as far as I’ve heard, never played a wrong or corny note. Like Stitt, his playing was virtually perfect; in other words, one couldn’t write out a better solo than what he might play on the spur of the moment. If people think that’s easy or old-fashioned, they should try it themselves. This tune isn’t a blues per se, but everything Hank plays has the spirit of the blues and such logic that you could take any phrase from this solo and use it as an exercise to play through the keys.
Eric Alexander is a New York-based tenor saxophonist, composer and clinician. His most recent recording as a leader is the ballads project Touching (HighNote), featuring pianist Harold Mabern, bassist John Webber and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Visit Alexander online at www.ericalexanderjazz.com.
