5 Amazing Saxophone Solos That Show The Evolution Of Jazz

Here are 5 amazing saxophone solos that really demonstrate how improvisation and the art of jazz music has changed and evolved throughout the years. We start in the 1940s with the bebop era and progress almost each decade through different sub-genres until we reach the fairly modern sound of the 1990s. Of course, jazz was around long before the 40s and is still evolving today in the 21st century. However, I picked these 5 solos as a little snapshot of what has happened in the prime period of the evolution of jazz. And I think you’ll agree, they demonstrate the changes in the genre quite nicely.

1. Charlie Parker - The Hymn

This is Charlie Parker's saxophone solo from the bebop tune "The Hymn", recorded in 1947. This is a brilliant example of the Bebop era that was prevalent in the 40s. The tempos were very fast and soloists began using a lot of chromaticism and approach notes, as well as chord substitutions and alterations. There was a lot of innovation at the time and we’re grateful for it, because today we still use many of the techniques, ideas and songs. Charlie Parker here, on the alto sax, is one of the all-time greats of jazz and was at the forefront of the Bebop evolution. Listen as he seamlessly navigates the chord changes with ease.

2. Sonny Rollins - St. Thomas

This is the head and 1st tenor saxophone solo from the classic jazz tune St. Thomas. Released in 1957. The actual tune is based on a traditional English folk song, called The Lincolnshire Poacher, but has been crafted into a brilliant Hard Bop, latin jazz sensation. As for Sonny's tenor solo, it's a brilliant example of using a motif or theme, building on it and developing it throughout the solo. This is a good technique to use during your own jazz improvisation to give you a sense of direction and purpose. As you can hear from Sonny, the initial motif doesn't have to be complicated. This recording has given me a lot of inspiration throughout the years, from the first time I heard it right up to today. And I think it’s the same for a lot of other people too.

3. John Coltrane - Giant Steps

This is the tenor saxophone solo by John Coltrane on an alternate take of the classic jazz tune Giant Steps, recorded in 1959, released in 1960.

Giant Steps is well-know for having a very fast tempo and a complex chord progression. But John Coltrane here, makes it sound easy in his solo that is comparable to an exercise or etude. It's great to listen to.

This alternate take is slightly slower in tempo than the original album version, which I think helps to allow Coltrane to play more interesting lines. What I like about Coltrane is that he was always innovating and creating new ideas and ways of playing and expanding on the jazz idiom.

He plays very diatonic here, which is to be expected given the frequency and complexity of the chord changes. In subsequent recordings, however, he used these changes as chord substitutions which made for some great solos.

4. Courtney Pine - Miss Interpret

This is the opening head and soprano saxophone solo of Courtney Pine's "Miss Interpret" released in 1986. I love the intro and the head of this song. It's very clever, very unique and it sounds great. Then Courtney Pine takes off into his brilliant soprano saxophone solo! It’s a nice example of modern jazz music, which fuses inspiration from various sources and genres whilst retaining an element of bebop. The solo itself, though short, is filled with plenty of jazz language such as pentatonics and chromatic notes.

5. Michael Brecker - Song For Bilbao

This is the amazing tenor sax solo by the legendary Michael Brecker on "Song For Bilbao", from the album "Tales From The Hudson", recorded in 1996. This is a great song with a nice upbeat, rhythmic feel. The fantastic solo by the tenor saxophone legend, Michael Brecker, is quite diatonic with a few flourishes here and there. It's a great example of building your solo, not giving everything away at once, growing it to a peak and then bringing it back down to resolve the solo nicely.

Michael Brecker is one of my favourite jazz saxophonists. He can seamlessly switch between nice, melodic phrases to crazy, bebop lines over out-there chord substitutions. Not to mention his brilliant tone and articulation. So I hope you enjoy this sort clip and go on to explore more Michael Brecker recordings.

Of course, this is just a small list of possible recordings and sub-genres. I’ve missed out a lot of great examples in order to keep this post concise. I could have added many, many more! I’ll leave you with an infographic on the history of jazz. Have a look and see where each clip would sit in the timeline.