The saxophone is known as a single-reed musical

instrument that is a staple in Jazz bands. Considered

to be newer than other musical instruments in terms
of its music history, the saxophone was invented by
Antoine-Joseph (Adolphe) Sax.
Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955),
also known as Yardbird and Bird, was an American jazz
saxophonist and composer.[1] Parker was a highly
influential jazz soloist and a leading figure in the
development of bebop,[2] a form of jazz characterized
by fast tempos, virtuosic technique and advanced
harmonies. Parker was a blazingly fast virtuoso, and he
introduced revolutionary harmonic ideas including
rapid passing chords, new variants of altered chords,
and chord substitutions. His tone ranged from clean and
penetrating to sweet and somber. Parker acquired the
nickname "Yardbird" early in his career on the road with
Jay McShann.[3] This, and the shortened form "Bird",
continued to be used for the rest of his life, inspiring the
titles of a number of Parker compositions, such as
"Yardbird Suite", "Ornithology", "Bird Gets the Worm", and
"Bird of Paradise". Parker was an icon for the hipster
subculture and later the Beat Generation, personifying
the jazz musician as an uncompromising artist and
intellectual rather than just an entertainer.[4]
John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17,
1967) was an American jazz saxophonist and
composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop
idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer
the use of modes and was at the forefront of free
jazz. He led at least fifty recording sessions and
appeared on many albums by other musicians,
including trumpeter Miles Davis and pianist
Thelonious Monk. Over the course of his career,
Coltrane's music took on an increasingly spiritual
dimension. He remains one of the most influential
saxophonists in music history. He received many
posthumous awards, including canonization by the
African Orthodox Church and a Pulitzer Prize in
2007.[1] His second wife was pianist/harpist Alice
Coltrane. Their children Ravi Coltrane, Oran Coltrane
and John Coltrane Jr are all musicians
Michael Leonard Brecker (March 29, 1949 – January 13, 2007) was an American jazz
saxophonist and composer. He was awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer
and composer. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music
in 2004,[3] and was inducted into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 2007.

Brecker was in great demand as a soloist and sideman. He performed with bands
whose styles ranged from mainstream jazz to mainstream rock. Altogether, he
appeared on over 700 albums, either as a band member or a guest soloist. He put his
stamp on numerous pop and rock recordings as a soloist. His featured guest solos with
James Taylor and Paul Simon are examples of that strand of his work. Other notable jazz
and rock collaborations included work with Steely Dan, Lou Reed, Donald Fagen, Dire
Straits, Joni Mitchell, Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, John Lennon, Aerosmith, Dan Fogelberg,
Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, Bruce Springsteen, Roger Daltrey, Parliament-Funkadelic,
Cameo, Yoko Ono, Todd Rundgren, Chaka Khan, Orleans, Blue Öyster Cult, The
Manhattan Transfer, Average White Band, Players Association, Paul Simon, James
Taylor, Everything but the Girl, Patti Austin, Art Garfunkel, Carly Simon, The Brothers
Johnson, and Karen Carpenter.

Brecker also recorded or performed with leading jazz figures during his era, including
Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Chet Baker, Jan Akkerman, George Benson, Quincy
Jones, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, McCoy Tyner, Pat Metheny, Elvin Jones, Claus
Ogerman, Billy Cobham, Horace Silver, Mike Stern, Mike Mainieri, Steps Ahead, Dave
Holland, Joey Calderazzo, Kenny Kirkland, Bob James, Grant Green, Don Cherry, Hubert
Laws, Don Alias, Larry Goldings, Bob Mintzer, Gary Burton, Yusef Lateef, Steve Gadd,
Dave Brubeck, Charlie Haden, John Abercrombie, Vince Mendoza, Roy Hargrove and
Spyro Gyra.