World's Greatest Tenors

Elvin Jones "Live At The Lighthouse" is one of those records
that sit alongside Coltrane's "Giant Steps" as milestones in the
evolution of modern tenor saxophone playing. Elvin Jones led an unusual
quartet consisting of two tenor players and no piano. Alongside the already
mentioned young Steve Grossman, the other tenor was Dave Liebman,
another fantastic player in the post-Coltrane style; a style which would
shape, to varying degrees, the way that just about all tenor players from
that point forward would play the instrument.

[URL]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BrIfp7F6wR8[/URL]

The "greatest tenors" world lost one of the greatest yesterday at the age of 91. Frank Wess, member of The Count Basie Orchestra, jazz-flute pioneer, and one of the greatest tenors who played in the more traditional swinging, velvet tone style. RIP.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jD1cvia0i1o

Speaking of velvet tone on the tenor, one of my very favorites, and one
who is seldom mentioned is Plas Johnson. He also has an uncanny ability
to play "in the pocket" as jazz players like to say. All the great
tenors mentioned so far clearly swing their behinds off, a few simply have
that "it" factor in their rhythmic concept; plas Johnson is one of
them:

[URL]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nU5gedgIUfs[/URL]

For those who aren't familiar with his work, but keep asking themselves
"where have I heard that sound before":

[URL]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jBupII3LH_Q[/URL]

Frank was a great musician! RIP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpW0NcdXBtE