Saxaphone vs. Trumpet...Which do you prefer?


It’s not the first time I’ve thought about it, but it came up again last night as I was listening to Quintessence volume 2, Stan Getz and Chet Baker recorded live. (an amazing disc) I have to say that for myself, I prefer the saxophone because it seems capable of infinite textures and subtle shadings as well as eye opening dynamic shifts. Of course I love the trumpet too; especially in the hands of a player like Chet Baker.


128x128roxy54
Trumpet all day long. Disclaimer: I am a trumpet player, of 41 years. Classical, jazz, dixie land, pop, liturgical, you name it. Trumpets can sound bright, dark, soft, powerful, airy, full...it all depends upon the quality of the player and his or her ability to be truly musical. 

Trainsam,

Do you also play the cornet or fugelhorn as well? I am enjoying this thread.

Charles

In jazz, it's probably a toss up. But in pop/rock, except for Chicago and Blood, Sweat, and Tears, saxophones are clearly used more often. Think of Springsteen (the great Clarence Clemons), Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Billy Joel, Carole King, and many, many others. There are countless pop/rock songs with a nice little sax solo as the bridge and not nearly as many with a trumpet solo. Probably because the sax just has a little softer and more pleasing sound.
In case anyone is interested, there's a great "biography" of the sax here:

https://amzn.to/2ZyFgq7

When first introduced, the sax was controversial for more reasons than the sound.
One trumpet player who never seems to have received enough attention for his gorgeous tone was Thad Jones.