Top 10 Most Famous Female Jazz Saxophonists
We've written about some of the most important female instrumentalists in jazz, but for this article we've paid special attention to some of the most famous female saxophonists.
Of course, the saxophone is one of the most popular instruments in jazz, with many of the greatest musicians in the genre playing the instrument.
But from John Coltrane to Sonny Rollins, Art Pepper to Lee Konitz, one thing quickly became clear: the saxophone has traditionally been a male-dominated instrument.
While that is completely changing in the modern jazz scene, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the most famous female saxophonists of all time, from the pioneers of the early days of music to contemporary favorites.
Of course, we could have included more, but I hope this list of 10 provides an interesting starting point for your own hearing explorations.
1. Vi Redd
Born in Los Angeles in 1928, the daughter of a jazz drummer, Vi Redd is an American alto saxophonist (and sometimes singer) known for his work in the bebop and hard bop genres. .
She started playing the saxophone at the age of 14 and was heavily influenced by Charlie Parker, who was leading the bebop at the time.
With a style that blends blues, she was a female artist alongside many of the greats of her time, including Earl Hines, Max Roach, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie.
Although she hasn't released a large number of records under her own name, her 1962 debut Bird Call is well worth a listen.
While she was successful as a touring artist (including trips to Japan and 10 weeks of work at Ronnie Scott's in London), she was very interested in her studies and spent the last years of her life. for this.
There's no doubt about it: Vi Redd was an influential saxophonist regardless of gender – and an early pioneer for women in jazz.
2. Melissa Aldana
Melissa Aldana is a Chilean saxophonist living in New York who rose to fame in 2013, when she became the first female jazz musician to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition.
Aldana was born in 1988 in Santiago, Chile. She started playing the saxophone at the age of 12 and quickly began studying with some of the best teachers in Chile.
In 2006, she moved to Boston to study at Berklee College of Music. After graduating, she moved to New York City and quickly established herself as one of the most promising young jazz musicians on the stage.
Aldana's debut album was released in 2010 as Greg Osby's Inner Circle Music, before winning the competition in 2013, she signed with Universal Music's Concord Records, where she played music. released an album of the same name called Melissa Aldana & Crash Trio.
Now, she has released much of her work as conductor of a quartet or quintet.
3. Tineke Postma
Born in 1978, Tineke Postma is a Dutch saxophonist, known for a rich and extensive career, combining her own projects with collaborations with many modern jazz artists including Kenny. Barron, Esperanza Spalding, Terri Lyne Carrington and Geri Allen.
In keeping with her diverse performance, she has also released albums on numerous jazz record labels including Munich Records, Challenge & Edition.
Like many modern jazz musicians, she attended a professional American academy - the Manhattan School of Music - where she met many players who would become her partners.
As a Selmer Paris artist, she was nominated as a Rising Star in both soprano and alto according to the annual Downbeat Magazine polls.
4. Candy Duffer
Candy Dulfer is a Dutch saxophonist, known for his soulful play style and commercial appeal not unlike the divisive style of Kenny G.
She has released several solo albums and has toured the world with some of the biggest names in music, including Prince and Dave Stewart.
Born in Amsterdam in 1969, her debut album, Saxuality, was released in 1990 and was a commercial success, as well as being nominated for a Grammy Award that year.
Largely self-taught, her level of appeal is perhaps best illustrated by her placement on the Dutch version of The Mysterious Factor.
5. Rosa King
Tenor saxophonist Rosa King was born in 1939 in Georgia, USA, but was mostly successful across the Atlantic in Europe.
Having spent most of her career outside the Netherlands, she not only forged a career as a blues and funk-influenced sax player, but championed many next-generation musicians, including Candy Dulfer and Saskia Laroo.
A highlight of her long career was an appearance at the North Sea Jazz Festival in 1978, where she faced Stan Getz in a memorable saxophone match.
Rosa Irene King passed away on December 12, 2000.
6. Ray Fuller
Hailing from the United States, Tia Fuller studied in Atlanta, where she became a regular member of the city's jazz clubs.
Despite her deep jazz tradition and teaching at the legendary Berklee College of Music, she is perhaps best known outside the jazz world for her two standout events.
The first is part of her work with the all-female touring band Beyoncés, and the second is an animated version of herself in the 2020 Pixar film: Soul.
Tia Fuller has a longstanding relationship with US label Mack Avenue dating back to her sophomore year release, Healing Space, in 2007. The 2018 release of Diamond Cut saw her nominated for an award. Grammy in the Jazz Music category for Best Instrumental.
7. Lakecia Benjamin
Voted "Promising Artist of the Year" by the Association of Jazz Journalists and "Rising Star of Saxophonist Alto" by the 2020 Downbeat Critics Poll, Lakecia Benjamin is a saxophonist in New York.
Like many modern sax pros, she had an active career as a professional musician, performing with stars such as Alicia Keys and Missy Elliot.
As a jazz musician, however, she experienced the tutelage of legendary player Gary Bartz and her sound, although highly personal, was clearly influenced by a lines of alto players to modern players like Kenny Garrett and Greg Osby.
8. Camille Thurman
Singer and saxophonist Camille Thurman was born in Queens, New York in 1986 and learned a variety of instruments before turning to the tenor sax at the age of 15.
A finalist for the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition brought her to a wider audience and paved the way for her debut album, Origins.
From 2018-2020, she became the first woman in 30 years to tour and perform full-time with the world-renowned Jazz At Lincoln Center alongside Wynton Marsalis, holding the saxophone chair during a heavy touring schedule. special.
As a winner of the Fulbright Cultural Ambassador Scholarship, she has taken her band to perform in Paraguay and Nicaragua.
9. Karen Sharp
The only British person to make the list, saxophonist and clarinetist Karen Sharp was born in 1971 and rose to prominence with her role in the great orchestra of UK jazz legend Humphrey Lyttelton.
Praised by Downbeat magazine for her "natural and relaxed play", she said the influence of tenor saxophone legends Dexter Gordon and Sonny Rollins was the reason she pursued the instrument.
A fixture in the UK club and festival touring ring, the latest iteration of her working band features pianist Nikki Iles, bassist Dave Green and drummer Steve Brown, where she plays a variety of trumpets, including the baritone saxophone.
10. Anat Cohen
While better known for playing the clarinet, Anat Cohen is also a successful player on both the soprano and tenor saxophone.
She was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1975 and currently resides in New York City, where she has released a series of albums on Anzic Records since 2005.
Her recordings are characterized by a wide range of influences, from straight jazz to flavors of South America and Europe - the highlight being that she was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Jazz Album category. Best Latin as well as Best Music Album Category.
Between 2012 and 2013, she was nominated in the prestigious Downbeat Critics' Poll as a rising star for both tenor and soprano saxophone play.
Listen to her 2012 release: Claroscuro.
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