We probably all have our favourite saxophonists, but but what did the jazz world think of the musicians on the scene in 1959? Luckily, there’s a good way to find out…
The annual DownBeat Readers Poll has been a fascinating snapshot of the jazz scene since it first appeared in 1936, offering insights into the tastes and preferences of jazz fans around the world.
Each year’s results highlight the most influential artists, albums, and performances that shaped the jazz landscape. Among the most interesting and highly competitive polls is that of 1959, a year marked by an explosion of legendary jazz albums, new trends, and iconic performances.
In this article, we delve into the hotly contested alto saxophone results from 1959, where the race for the top spot was incredibly tight, with just 0.15% difference between two brilliantly distinct musicians – one from the ‘Cool’ school and the other from the blues-infused New York scene.
Their contrasting styles would come to define much of the sound of jazz in the years that followed.
Along the way, we also spotlight some surprising names (check #9 on the list!) that show how diverse the alto saxophone scene was at the time.
20. Herb Geller – 29 Votes
Herb Geller was known for his smooth tone and skillful improvisation. While not as widely celebrated as some of the other alto saxophonists in the poll, Geller was still respected for his contributions to jazz, particularly in the West Coast jazz scene.
Album Tip: Gypsy (1959)
19. Lou Donaldson – 31 Votes
Lou Donaldson was one of the key figures in the development of soul jazz, a genre that blended hard bop with R&B influences. His expressive style and improvisational abilities made him a standout performer throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Album Tip: Blues Walk (1959)
18. Zoot Sims – 44 Votes
Zoot Sims was celebrated for his warm sound and lively playing.
Known for his swinging style, Sims was one of the leading figures in the mainstream jazz scene of the late 1950s, frequently playing in big bands and smaller combos.
Album Tip: Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers (1959)
17. Lennie Niehaus – 45 Votes
Lennie Niehaus was a significant figure in the jazz world, particularly known for his work with the Stan Kenton Orchestra.
Niehaus brought a unique approach to the alto saxophone, marked by his smooth articulation and strong improvisational abilities.
Album Tip: Kenton Live from the Las Vegas Tropicana (1959)
16. James Moody – 45 Votes
James Moody’s smooth but adventurous style of playing made him an influential saxophonist.
He was known for his work both as a bandleader and sideman, frequently collaborating with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie and others in the bebop scene.
Album Tip: Last Train from Overbrook (1958)
15. Earl Bostic – 46 Votes
Earl Bostic was one of the leading figures in R&B and swing during the 1950s, known for his energetic alto saxophone performances and influence on the genre’s development.
Album Tip: Sweet Tunes of the Sentimental 40s (1959)
14. Willie Smith – 58 Votes
Often overlooked in mainstream discussions, Smith was a trailblazer in the world of jazz alto saxophone.
Renowned for his contributions to the swing era, his sound was deeply rooted in the tradition of early jazz and could be heard with the likes of Louis Bellson, Nat King Cole and Harry James.
Album Tip: Red Plays the Blues (1958) as a sideman with Red Norvo
13. Gene Quill – 60 Votes
Gene Quill was a prominent figure in the 1950s jazz world and, interestingly, performed frequently alongside fellow altoist Phil Woods. He also worked with bands of Buddy DeFranco, Quincy Jones, Gene Krupa, Gerry Mulligan, and Claude Thornhill.
Album Tip: Phil Talks with Quill (1959)
12. Charlie Mariano – 66 Votes
Charlie Mariano was highly regarded for his distinctive playing and his role in bridging cool jazz and more experimental sounds.
Mariano’s contributions in the late 1950s – including his central role in Charles Mingus’ music – solidified his reputation as one of the era’s top alto saxophonists.
Album Tip: The Gambit (1958) with Shelly Mann
11. Jackie McLean – 70 Votes
Jackie McLean was known for his bold and expressive style of playing.
By 1959, he had already started to make a name for himself with his intense, blues-infused sound and improvisational skill, bringing a fresh, innovative approach to the alto sax.
Album Tip: New Soil (1959)
10. Benny Carter – 79 Votes
Benny Carter was one of the original architects of the alto saxophone sound and, from his rise to prominence alongside Johnny Hodges in the 1930s, remained particularly influential through the 1950s.
A composer, arranger, and bandleader who got his break with Fletcher Henderson’s big band, Carter’s impact on the world of jazz was profound.
Album Tip: Aspects (1959)
9. Paul Horn – 92 Votes
Paul Horn was known for his beautiful tone and smooth playing, often blending jazz with other genres.
His contribution to the alto saxophone during the late 1950s helped to shape the development of the instrument in new directions.
Album Tip: Plenty of Horn (1958)
8. Phil Woods – 114 Votes
Phil Woods was one of the most distinctive alto saxophonists of the second half of the 20th Century, known for his fiery, expressive style – as well as some of the most memorable pop saxophone solos of all time.
By 1959, Woods was already making waves with his virtuosic performances and distinctive tone.
Album Tip: Legrand Jazz (1958) by Michel Legrand
7. Bud Shank – 124 Votes
Bud Shank was a key figure in West Coast jazz who gained recognition in the early 1950s as the lead alto saxophonist and flutist in Stan Kenton’s Innovations in Modern Music Orchestra.
Known for his distinctive sound and technical mastery, he helped define the cool jazz era, earning critical acclaim throughout his career.
Album Tip: Holiday in Brazil (1959)
6. Sonny Stitt – 170 Votes
Sonny Stitt was a versatile and prolific saxophonist who could navigate both bebop and hard-bop styles – as well as both alto and tenor saxophones.
Known for his virtuosic playing, Stitt was admired for his ability to mimic the sound of Charlie Parker whilst also carving out his own identity.
Album Tip: Sonny Stitt Sits In with the Oscar Peterson Trio (1959)
5. Art Pepper – 244 Votes
Art Pepper was known for his intense emotional depth and technical mastery.
His expressive style made him one of the standout figures in West Coast jazz. By 1959, he had already earned a lasting reputation in the jazz world.
Album Tip: Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section (1959)
4. Lee Konitz – 249 Votes
Lee Konitz was a leading figure in the cool jazz movement, known for his cerebral and intricate approach to improvisation.
By 1959, Konitz had already released several albums that showcased his unique voice on the alto sax.
Album Tip: Motion (1959)
3. Johnny Hodges – 391 Votes
Johnny Hodges was one of the most popular alto saxophonists of the big band era, best known for his work with Duke Ellington and his orchestra.
His warm, emotive playing, Hodges’ sound was a key influence on later saxophonists, and he maintained his popularlity with jazz fans (and Downbeat readers!) until his passing in 1970.
Album Tip: Side by Side with Duke Ellington (1959)
2. Cannonball Adderley – 1084 Votes
Julian “Cannonball” Adderley was celebrated for his exuberant, bold style.
His virtuosic playing and unique tone made him a leading figure in the jazz world by 1959. His contributions to modal jazz and hard-bop defined his sound.
Album Tip: Kind of Blue (1959) by Miles Davis
1. Paul Desmond – 1090 Votes
Paul Desmond was known for his smooth, lyrical tone and sophisticated improvisation. His work with the Dave Brubeck Quartet and his signature cool jazz style made him a defining figure of the late 1950s.
Album Tip: Time Out (1959) by the Dave Brubeck Quartet
Conclusion: A Competitive Poll with Some Surpises
The 1959 DownBeat Readers Poll highlights the incredible diversity and talent present in the alto saxophone world.
The race for the top spot of most popular alto saxophonists in 1959 between Paul Desmond and Cannonball Adderley was especially close, with just 0.15% of total votes separating the two, each representing very different styles.
While Desmond’s cool, smooth tone contrasted with Adderley’s vibrant, hard-bop approach, both became giants in the world of jazz.
What’s perhaps most interesting is the variety of voices within the top 10. From the soulful expressiveness of Johnny Hodges to the cerebral intricacies of Lee Konitz, the poll reveals a remarkable range of stylistic approaches, all contributing to the rich tapestry of jazz in 1959.
This list not only offers us a snapshot of the greats of the era but also reminds us of the many surprises and lesser-known talents that helped shape jazz history.
Whether you’re a fan of the cool, intellectual sound of Konitz or the fiery energy of Cannonball Adderley, the 1959 DownBeat Readers Poll provides a glimpse into an incredibly dynamic year in jazz.
Who would have got your vote? Let us know in the comments below…