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

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.

+1 Thad Jones. Charles mentions the cornet. Thad Jones often played cornet. He was probably responsible for reintroducing the cornet to jazz while a member of the Count Basie orchestra. The instrument, once very popular, had been practically forgotten in more modern (jazz)times.

While it is true that the saxophone inspired controversy when first introduced, I have to take exception with the impression that the title and overview of Erik’s book recommendation. The saxophone was invented by Adolf Sax in the late 1800’s as an orchestral “bridge” between the general sound of the woodwinds and that of the brass. It had the flexibility of the woodwinds and the power of the brass. It was (is) considered to be the instrument closest in sound to the human voice and, as such, its first use by composers was in choral music. It was intended to keep choral singers on pitch while blending well with their timbre. It became very popular and just about every major Classical composer at the time scored it in at least one major work. With the arrival of early Jazz there literally ensued a saxophone craze in popular music. There were many saxophones created in different keys (and sizes) other than what we know today which are now obsolete. Adolf’s very first saxophone creation was actually a bass saxophone. Re the baritone and Charles’ question:

Urban myth. While it is true that a person of very small stature or a beginner child would do well to play a smaller instrument, the baritone is actually easier to play than the smaller horns in some respects. Due to its larger bore there is less internal resistance. The low register in particular is easier to play than on smaller horns. The key work is necessarily spread out more to the hand; less tight and crowded for potentially more relaxed hand position. All instruments within any given family of instruments (and across families) present the player with unique and idiosyncratic difficulties. The idea that any one instrument is “easier” than another is mostly myth. Some such as the flute may seem easier to make a reasonable sound on AT FIRST, but may be more difficult to take to the next level of proficiency. They are all equally difficult for the most part.

Regards