Legendary Sax Players Trivia Quiz

Answer: Charlie Parker

Charlie "Yardbird" Parker was a phenomenally talented alto saxophonist, who in addition to being considered the greatest sax man who ever lived, is also credited with creating the musical style of "bebop," along with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. Sadly, heroin abuse took Bird from the world far too early, at the age of 34.

His musical influence still weighs very heavily on saxophonists today.

Answer: John Coltrane

Coltrane, or simply "Trane," as he was often called, was one of the most influential tenor saxophonists in history. Miles Davis' sax man for the ground-breaking albums "Kind of Blue" and "Milestones," Coltrane struggled with drug addicition early in his career, as did far too many jazz artists of that era. He did finally conquer his addictions, only to die at the young age of 40, from liver cancer.

Answer: Gerry Mulligan

Mulligan is virtually synonomous with the baritone sax. He appeared at the very first Monterey Jazz Festival in 1958, was in the CBS "Sound of Jazz" TV special, and even appeared in two movies, "I Want To Live" and "The Subterraneans." He died of cancer in 1996.

Answer: Stan Getz

Getz became a band leader himself in the 50's, discovering talents such as pianist Horace Silver. He would later experiment with piano-less quartets, delved into fusion with Chick Corea, finally returning to a more straight-ahead jazz style in his later years. He also discovered jazz singer Diane Schuur, and helped launch her into stardom. He passed away in 1991 at the age of 64.

Answer: Paul Desmond

Desmond said his unique tone was "meant to sound like a dry martini." Many sax players refer to his trademark sound as "foof sax," for the airy tone quality he perfected. In addition to his extensive work with Brubeck, he also recorded with such artists as Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker and Jim Hall.

Answer: Grover Washington, Jr.

Grover first cut his teeth in the music business as a teenager, in the band "Four Clefs." He worked with soul-jazz artists such as Charles Earland and Johnny Hammond Smith before breaking out on his own with the album "Inner City Blues." Equally adept on soprano, alto and tenor sax, Washington was an influential mentor for many acts, including Pieces Of A Dream. He died of a heart attack in 1999 at the age of 56 while taping a TV show.

Answer: Phil Woods

Woods studied at Julliard and the Manhattan School of Music, and has played with such luminaries as Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Barnet and Bennie Goodman. He is still a much in-demand session player, and has fronted his own quintet for more than 40 years.

Answer: Wayne Shorter

While a member of Miles Davis' band, he composed many of the group's tunes, including "Nefertiti," "ESP," "Footprints" and "Prince of Darkness." In addition to his legendary work with Weather Report, Shorter was also a much sought-after session man, and contributed much of the great sax work on Steely Dan's magnum opus album, "Aja."

Answer: Ornette Coleman

Coleman dubbed his unique style "harmolodics." In addition to his band Prime Time, Coleman has also worked with a widely diverse number of artists, including Pat Metheny and Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia. Artists such as John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy cite Coleman as a big influence on their own styles.

Answer: Jay Beckenstein

First taking up the sax at age seven, Jay went on to study at State University of New York at Buffalo, and to a succession of blues and R & B bands in the Buffalo area. While attempting to establish himself as a record producer in a collaboration with drummer Rich Calandra, Beckenstein also founded Spyro Gyra. Their efforts did succeed in launching a major act - Beckenstein's own Spyro Gyra, who have enjoyed huge, worldwide success since the late 70's, and continuing on to this day.